benzman,
Yes, you do have a lot of tube preamp choices. I currently use a ss preamp in my system but I previously used a VTL 2.5 tube preamp, with NOS (new old stock) Mullard tubes swapped in for the 4 stock Russian or Chinese tubes, for a few decades with various ss class AB and class D power amps. This provided the 3 dimensionality, warmth and euphony that, during that time, I believed only tubes in the audio chain could provide.
The VTL 2.5 is a good option if you want to utilize tubes since you can tailor the sound you prefer through tube rolling, it has HT/passthru if that's needed and it has an extra set of l+r unbalanced outputs to accommodate subs and your Swarm.
I now believe the qualities of 3 dimensionality, warmth and euphony mainly exist, or not, in the music itself. The main factors that enable them to be perceived in a home system begins with the use of high quality recordings, continues with the signals being conveyed through very low distortion,low noise,highly detailed and accurate components and cabling.
The Benchmark LA4 is another good option for a ss design if you want to try out the low distortion/low noise, highly detailed and accurate approach while avoiding the complications of tubes altogether.
The final segment in preserving the fidelity in our systems are the speakers we choose. Unless one employs highly accurate studio monitors, few other speakers will be as neutral and accurate and this is generally the area where compromises in overall system accuracy, neutrality and fidelity usually occurs. I don't currently have a good solution for this compromise and typically recommend individuals just choose speakers they really enjoy listening to over extended time periods.
Personally, I've found it difficult to maintain the strict discipline and commitment required to assemble a low distortion/low noise, highly detailed and accurate system from top to bottom. I tend to include components and speakers that have a bit of flavor that I really enjoy (currently ML preamp and Magnepan speakers) that stray a touch from absolute fidelity and neutrality.
Perhaps you possess more discipline and commitment to a specific approach than I apparently do.
Tim
Yes, you do have a lot of tube preamp choices. I currently use a ss preamp in my system but I previously used a VTL 2.5 tube preamp, with NOS (new old stock) Mullard tubes swapped in for the 4 stock Russian or Chinese tubes, for a few decades with various ss class AB and class D power amps. This provided the 3 dimensionality, warmth and euphony that, during that time, I believed only tubes in the audio chain could provide.
The VTL 2.5 is a good option if you want to utilize tubes since you can tailor the sound you prefer through tube rolling, it has HT/passthru if that's needed and it has an extra set of l+r unbalanced outputs to accommodate subs and your Swarm.
I now believe the qualities of 3 dimensionality, warmth and euphony mainly exist, or not, in the music itself. The main factors that enable them to be perceived in a home system begins with the use of high quality recordings, continues with the signals being conveyed through very low distortion,low noise,highly detailed and accurate components and cabling.
The Benchmark LA4 is another good option for a ss design if you want to try out the low distortion/low noise, highly detailed and accurate approach while avoiding the complications of tubes altogether.
The final segment in preserving the fidelity in our systems are the speakers we choose. Unless one employs highly accurate studio monitors, few other speakers will be as neutral and accurate and this is generally the area where compromises in overall system accuracy, neutrality and fidelity usually occurs. I don't currently have a good solution for this compromise and typically recommend individuals just choose speakers they really enjoy listening to over extended time periods.
Personally, I've found it difficult to maintain the strict discipline and commitment required to assemble a low distortion/low noise, highly detailed and accurate system from top to bottom. I tend to include components and speakers that have a bit of flavor that I really enjoy (currently ML preamp and Magnepan speakers) that stray a touch from absolute fidelity and neutrality.
Perhaps you possess more discipline and commitment to a specific approach than I apparently do.
Tim