2. amps-preamps
  3. 172525-16768

Tube Preamps that work well with SS amps?

I'm looking for a tube preamp after years of strictly SS. My amps will remain SS. Which tube preamp(s) in your experience mated well with a SS amp? I'm trying to avoid the odd phenomenon where tube preamp + SS amp = slow, soggy sound in spite of benign impedance characteristics

greg7
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,317 posts
 

It’s the other way around. You want a SS amp with higher input impedance to work with a tube-preamp. 100kohm is a good input impedance to look for but as low as 40-60 kohm may be fine. My combo is Audio Research sp16 pre to bel canto ref 1000m monoblocks. See system pics.

lhasaguy's avatar
lhasaguy
339 posts
 

It has always been my opinion that mating a tube preamp with a solid state amp of the same company typically provides the best synergy.  I have experienced this with both Audio Research and McIntosh n the past.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,790 posts
 

mapman +1,

although was going to say Audio Research SP-3 through 16. I have had great results with all of them.  While I wish I still had the SP-3a, I still and use a SP-9 MKll.

All the best.

JD

bpoletti
1,553 posts
 

+1 for the Herron VPSP-360.  

rajugsw
218 posts
 

I would have started a new thread too without using "The Force" (...LOL).

Anyway I was an Transistor Guy, then tried All Tubes but to my ears. Tube input/GaN FET output has been my best combo. PS Audio DirectStream DAC Sr. feeding a BAT VK50-SE driving an Orchard Audio Ultra Amplifier. Maybe not to everyone's liking. But I'm done searching. 

Speakers are next.......No Vinyl....No Problems

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