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Tube Pre/ Class D Amp - Who has done it?

Open forum for those who have actually tried this.  Really curious to know who has been happy, or maybe unhappy, with a tube preamp driving a Class D amplifier?

Of course, tube pre with a solid state amp is a classic pairing for hard to drive speakers, especially ESL's.   This is a little different.   I'm really curious to know what pres and Class D amps have had great synergy.

erik_squires
margaretha
47 posts
 

Gato dia 400s.

lwin's avatar
lwin
579 posts
 

@erik_squires What amp or amps are you getting?

j-wall's avatar
j-wall
373 posts
 

I run an Allnic L-7000 pre with Atma Class D’s and don’t miss the heat, but @marco1 has me curious to see if I need to test the Atma tubed power amps to see if I missed something.

knighttodd's avatar
knighttodd
210 posts
 

I use an Audio Research ls28se Pre, in the past I used PSA m700 monos then switched to M1200. The M1200 really thump out the bass and that is what I was looking for as my speakers hold 4 12" woofers each. I have them and my subs running tru a modified mini DSP. Bass is very tight and controlled. 

mm1tt77
184 posts
 

I’ve tried Primaluna, Zesto, PS Audio BHK Pre (Hybrid Tube) with SS amps, class D included.  If you get the gain matched correctly, works really well, blending some of the tube magic with some of the attributes of SS / Class D.  Exciting to watch Class D technology, design continue to evolve.  Most of the designs in Audio currently are mature, tweaks that can be made but not the leaps happening with Class D.  Class D designers are working overtime to dispel the old stereotypes associated.
 

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