Tube Pre with Benchmark AHB2 Amp - anyone doing this?

If so, please enlighten me on the benefits over a SS pre or say, a DAC with volume control directly into the AHB2.

Thank you

timothy_m01-31-2025 2:53pm

invalid Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,244 posts 02-01-2025 at 01:05pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @mapman tube preamps don't all have high output impedance, and the properly designed ones, sound more dynamic to me than solid state preamps I've had.
mapman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 22,457 posts 02-01-2025 at 11:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @invalid , true, Not all. Linear Tube Audio for example. That’s due to their proprietary ZOTL technology that makes them unique. Good stuff. Quality more-SS like sound but with tubes. Something different. The “linear” in the name is appropriate.
invalid Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,244 posts 02-01-2025 at 11:55pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @mapman it doesn't have to be a proprietary circuit, there are plenty of tube preamps with low output impedance.
mapman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 22,457 posts 02-02-2025 at 12:57am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Could be. Regardless, the devil is in the details. If using a SS amp with tube pre-amp, imdepance matching is key to getting best results. If you go with a SS amp that has at least 50-60kohm input impedance, one would expect good results. We’re it me I would look for 100kohm input impedance minimum to be safe.