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Ssssh, is your tube preamp really that quiet?

Does anyone own, or know of, a tube preamp that is TRULY QUIET even when the volume is turned up? On my CAT tube preamp, there is always a certain amount of tube rush when the volume is up. This doesn't really bother me as it is not really audible when music is playing, BUT I'm sure the sound could be better IF this wasn't the case. Anyone have a totally quiet tube preamp?? No ssssh whatsoever!
128x128daveyf
psag
518 posts
 
These would pass anyone's noise test:
Audio Research Ref 5 and Ref 10
Joule Electra LAP150 and ME300
daveyf's avatar
daveyf OP
2,871 posts
 
I'm not sure that any high gain tube preamp and phono stage will sound completely quiet when the gain is turned up and there is no music playing. I have never heard such a piece. OTOH, I do agree that so long as the tube noise doesn't appear to be audible when music is playing, then there appears to be no problem and I also much prefer tubes over ss. However, I do wonder how much better the overall SQ, could and would be, IF no tube hiss was present whatsoever in the system.
jaxwired
232 posts
 
Turns out the rest of the world all own ultra quiet tube preamps. Maybe the OP should be asking, "do any other noisy preamps exist". Apparently they are pretty rare. Lol.
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swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I do wonder how much better the overall SQ, could and would be, IF no tube hiss was present whatsoever in the system.
That way lies madness, or worse...solid state!
daveyf's avatar
daveyf OP
2,871 posts
 
Ralph, is it possible to make a tubed phono section without a SUT that is noiseless?
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