Hi Calvin you have a difficult tradeoff situation here.
I think the decision depends upon your listening preferences: do you want tube holography & euphonics, or solid state speed--- slam/dynamics & iron fisted bass-control?
I've always preferred solid state with my PWK '78 vintage Belles because I want that kind of SS sound.
Myself I wouldn't be using those hot, inefficient, noisy, microphonic, unreliable, expensive, maintenance intensive tubes with horns. I've already tried that; they just never worked well for me; Tubed preamps are another story, yet tube's high idle noise (tube rush) & microphonics are so easily perceived with sensitive horn transducers that I've found them unbearable. Others do prefer tubes & if that works for them then it's all good - for *them*. For me, the lack of deep bass extension + control, & the softened highs are also problems I've noted w\ tube power amplification.
I've been running my pair of Belles with mosfet's - if you want to see the complete setup then just click on my username & scroll down below the bio to read all about it.
Mosfet based Luxman & Accuphase amps have provided the best results for me so far; 200 watts per channel is about right; when running at higher power levels 100 watts/ch seemes a bit underpowered during those power-demanding peaks. I like to have about 20dB of dynamic headroom, so at a 2watt/ch. listening level a 200 watt/ch amp is a good fit. Perreaux, Ayre, even McCormack Deluxe series amps also do a pretty good job, but generally I don't care for the sound of bipolars w\ horns. Mosfet amps w\ combined with MIT MH750-(xx) speaker cabling the synergy is very good.
When I experimented with tube preamps I found them to be objectionably noisy, just as you have found. That is the nature of tubes in general, but surely there must be some exceptions? I tried a top-line Cary pre (awful microphonic's & ringing) a Joule Electra, two VTL's (2.5 & 5.5) didn't like any of 'em. But I did find one Golden Tube Audio pre that sounded very quiet, fast, & it staged like crazy! That is the GTA SEP-2. They also made an SEP-3 that has the same audio stage circuitry but with an external power supply. The SEP-1 I didn't try (no remote control); these units all had optional internal phono stages. Solo Electronics' GTA is out of business now, but you can still find these units available used with some patience & detective work. Service & support is still reasonably available from selected shops.
I was driving a McCormack DNA-1 with the SEP-2 at that time & the pair was truly magical. Later I upgraded to a DNA-1 Deluxe which was even sweeter. I still have both of those pieces on hand as spares, although they're not presently in service. A pair of Accuphase is in their place at the moment.
I think the decision depends upon your listening preferences: do you want tube holography & euphonics, or solid state speed--- slam/dynamics & iron fisted bass-control?
I've always preferred solid state with my PWK '78 vintage Belles because I want that kind of SS sound.
Myself I wouldn't be using those hot, inefficient, noisy, microphonic, unreliable, expensive, maintenance intensive tubes with horns. I've already tried that; they just never worked well for me; Tubed preamps are another story, yet tube's high idle noise (tube rush) & microphonics are so easily perceived with sensitive horn transducers that I've found them unbearable. Others do prefer tubes & if that works for them then it's all good - for *them*. For me, the lack of deep bass extension + control, & the softened highs are also problems I've noted w\ tube power amplification.
I've been running my pair of Belles with mosfet's - if you want to see the complete setup then just click on my username & scroll down below the bio to read all about it.
Mosfet based Luxman & Accuphase amps have provided the best results for me so far; 200 watts per channel is about right; when running at higher power levels 100 watts/ch seemes a bit underpowered during those power-demanding peaks. I like to have about 20dB of dynamic headroom, so at a 2watt/ch. listening level a 200 watt/ch amp is a good fit. Perreaux, Ayre, even McCormack Deluxe series amps also do a pretty good job, but generally I don't care for the sound of bipolars w\ horns. Mosfet amps w\ combined with MIT MH750-(xx) speaker cabling the synergy is very good.
When I experimented with tube preamps I found them to be objectionably noisy, just as you have found. That is the nature of tubes in general, but surely there must be some exceptions? I tried a top-line Cary pre (awful microphonic's & ringing) a Joule Electra, two VTL's (2.5 & 5.5) didn't like any of 'em. But I did find one Golden Tube Audio pre that sounded very quiet, fast, & it staged like crazy! That is the GTA SEP-2. They also made an SEP-3 that has the same audio stage circuitry but with an external power supply. The SEP-1 I didn't try (no remote control); these units all had optional internal phono stages. Solo Electronics' GTA is out of business now, but you can still find these units available used with some patience & detective work. Service & support is still reasonably available from selected shops.
I was driving a McCormack DNA-1 with the SEP-2 at that time & the pair was truly magical. Later I upgraded to a DNA-1 Deluxe which was even sweeter. I still have both of those pieces on hand as spares, although they're not presently in service. A pair of Accuphase is in their place at the moment.
