2. amps-preamps
  3. 174207-10803

Can one have too many tube components in a system?

Especially if one has sensitive speakers? For myself with ZU Omen defs, I have to keep an eye on the gain of the amps I choose since my BHK runs tubes. If gain is too high, tube hiss becomes an issue. However, I see people with tubed amp, tube pre, tubed phono pre, tubed dac......doesn't the tube his (just like tape hiss every time you copy a tape over and over) intensify with every component? Or to pull this off one needs less efficient speakers?

aberyclark
jond's avatar
jond
5,847 posts
 

It's not about too many tubes it's about the right components and how well they work together. I have tubes in everything but my streamer and it sounds sublime because the tubes are in good components that work well together.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,520 posts
 

...doesn't the tube hiss (just like tape hiss every time you copy a tape over and over) intensify with every component?

No it doesn't. Tube gear should be dead quiet. If you have hiss most likely one of your amplified stages has too much gain. You can lower that with an attenuator. I have 6 tube amps (and a few tube preamps) all are absolutely quiet. 

ghdprentice
7,052 posts
 

I have 36 tubes in my audio chain and it is dead quiet and the best system I have ever heard.

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

Geoff you also have HQ tube gear as many of us do I. To many cheap tubes with mediocre components yes you can have to much.

With Tube gear do not skimp.

My tube gear is dead silent also.

 

femoore12's avatar
femoore12
683 posts
 

No. My tube system is dead quiet. I would know if it wasn’t since they power horns. 

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