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Seriously considering tube preamp…opinions?

Tube virgin, here. I am building a system and I'm trying to contain the preamp/amp cost to $3k or so. (I could go up a little.) 

I'm inclined not to dive into tubes all the way through, but get a solid state on the output end. (Open to suggestions; inclined toward PS Audio, Parasound.) I'm reading around about tube preamps and have talked with my local dealer, who sells Black Ice/Jolida and Prima Luna (PL). He used to carry Rogue but said they kept coming back for repairs. That's why he carries PL.

I'm asking these questions after having established (via reviews, comments) that Schiit gear is quite the value. Lately, I've been reading about Decware and other small tube makers. I'm very curious about buying direct, if possible, and a company that stands behind their products is crucial.

So, your opinions about tube integrated or *especially* tube preamps —

1. Who do you like? Consider I want to do pre/amp for a total of $3k if possible.

2. Do you think PL is worth all that money just for a preamp? I get the feeling they're high quality but a bit over-hyped. (No disrespect to the highly passionate Kevin Deal, but he's all over my search results.) And what would you think about $2k/$1k preamp-to-amp spending ratio?

3. Any sense of what happened to Jolida since the name change to "Black Ice"? I see there's a sordid story there but did the re-branding clear up the mess? Any experiences with the Black Ice company?

4. I know there are many Schiit fans out there; so my question would be -- did anyone consider Schiit for tube preamp and go another way? Or move beyond Schiit for any particular reason? It's hard not to just capitulate and do a Freya+ or Saga+ but why wouldn't one just go with Schiit?




128x128hilde45
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,558 posts
 
@hilde45,

All good points,

I would steer clear of linear sounding tubes in preamp or amps if you want to enjoy and experience rich harmonic ‘distortions’ associated with good tube gear....otherwise stick with SS gear.

The pre/amp combination, Tube/SS will greatly depends on efficiency of your full range speakers. The higher efficiency, say 96dB will give you greater flexibility in SS or Tube amplification. Less than 96dB, say 92dB efficiency SS amp is the way to go. Some full range speakers even dip down to 2-3 ohms load, for those you need a good wattage power amp to handle the peaks.

I went from 92db to 96db speakers and couldn’t be any happier. I can drive my speakers with 8W SET, 30W class A or 200W class A/B amps.

Hope this helps!
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@lalitk I thought I had made an all-tube setup possible by going for 90db speakers. I see how 96db would give *greater flexibility* for amps, but you’re also saying that if less than 96db then SS is the way to go?
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,558 posts
 
@hilde45,

I did not say, it will be impossible to drive 90db speakers with tube amplification. Have you tried comparing SS vs Tube amplification with you 90db speakers? 
Do you honestly think you can drive 90db speakers comfortably with a 8W SET amps. 😊
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@lalitk I didn't mean to put words in your mouth or be disputatious! 

You said:
Less than 96dB, say 92dB efficiency SS amp is the way to go. Some full range speakers even dip down to 2-3 ohms load, for those you need a good wattage power amp to handle the peaks.
I really want to get an amp that can comfortably drive my 90db speakers and your statement seems to direct me away from the amps I'm presently looking at. (Maybe this requires more details about my speakers and I'm over-reading your comment.) 

I am still learning about the relationship between power and speaker sensitivity, but I've learned enough to know why your question about 8W SET amps is funny! 

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