2. amps-preamps
  3. 1152754466

Can tube preamps be as 'detailed' sounding as ss?

Recently I bought a minimax tubed preamp. After several weeks of listening and comparing to my Plinius Cd-Lad pre, I've decided I like some things about the minimax, but more things about the Plinius
1. minimax adds a sense of realism and increased soundstage depth a little
2. minimax added more hiss to the system
3. better bass with the Plinius
4. better details and clarity with the Plinius
5. Wider soundstage with Plinius

I really enjoyed the increase sense of realism though. Is it possible that a better tubed pre (such as Cary slp-98) would retain the clarity and details of the Plinius and add the midrange lushness? Or would a hybrid tube pre give the best of both worlds (like a Cary slp-308)?
thanks for your thoughts
rest of system, Bryston 3bst, Ayre cx-7, Audio Physics Libra
machman12000
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Tvad: Because the question and the discussion may please the questioner and the discussers. Chatting about audio is a wholly different activity than listening to it, enjoyable for different reasons.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i have noticed many modern tube designs exemplifying the virtues of high resolution.
sean
6,231 posts
 
Atmasphere: My mistake in not choosing my wording more carefully. I know that tubes themselves are VERY broadband in nature with the absolute bandwidth being circuit dependent. It is this lack of circuit bandwidth and / or power supply limitations / internal impedances that i was speaking of in terms of SS square waving vs tube "soft" clipping.

Other than that, i'm quite certain that there are other things involved, in which i'll have to defer to your expertise in this area : ) Sean
>
rodman99999
6,107 posts
 
Were you to invest in a Cary SLP 98, then search for a NOS pair of TungSol 6SN7GTs(black, round plate from the 40's), and a pair of NOS Sylvania 6SN7Ws(tall bottle, either metal or bakelite base): you would find yourself listening to your entire disc collection afresh, amazed at the detail/imaging accuracy/soundstage depth and width/timbre/focus and pace that you missed before. That's providing the rest of the system(including your room) is up to the task. The right tubes are essential for accurate/non-euphonic/musical reproduction, and the above are the cream of the crop in the 6SN7 family.
More to discover