Tube power amps can open the door to "even harmonic" slam and are often interesting to look at. I like a seemingly unadulterated, clean as possible SS Class A balanced preamp signal into a tube power amp as that combo seems to work for me, and gives me all the tube rolling I need. Get a transistor and put it next to a tube...note the differences...small dead looking black silicon plug with tiny things in it you can't see, or large glass object with soul and possible craftsmanship you CAN see. Meaningless maybe, but tubes are simply cool and hot at the same time.
Where do the tubes go?
I have so far been a solid state guy, but I am looking into another system, and I would like to give tubes a try.
1. Would most people recommend an all tube system, or do you recommend starting with only a tube component or two.
2. What are the relative merits and disadvantages of placing tubes at various stations in a system CD-->pre amp --> amp ?
For instance, I have read that some people feel that that the micro-distortion (pleasing though it may be) is excessively magnified if started at a source component then magnified through a bunch of high power solid state electronics. Others have advocated that having tubes early in your system gives the tube sound quality and allows for higher power, lower maintenance/heat solid state amplifiers.
For the tube experienced, how where should I start integrating tubes? (starting a new system so disregard concerns of mating to existing equipment).
1. Would most people recommend an all tube system, or do you recommend starting with only a tube component or two.
2. What are the relative merits and disadvantages of placing tubes at various stations in a system CD-->pre amp --> amp ?
For instance, I have read that some people feel that that the micro-distortion (pleasing though it may be) is excessively magnified if started at a source component then magnified through a bunch of high power solid state electronics. Others have advocated that having tubes early in your system gives the tube sound quality and allows for higher power, lower maintenance/heat solid state amplifiers.
For the tube experienced, how where should I start integrating tubes? (starting a new system so disregard concerns of mating to existing equipment).
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- 22 posts total
- 22 posts total