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Impressed with Tubes

For the first time, I auditioned a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100s run through a Rogue Perseus tube preamp & a Rotel RB1080 S/S power amp. Prior to that, I have never auditioned a tube preamp. Wow! What a difference! A richer, more integrated sound with the Rogue Perseus compared to S/S alternatives. Now that I am hooked on tubes, a few quick questions:

(1) Would there be a significant difference if I went with a tube power amp as well?

(2) Compared to the Rogue Perseus, has anyone had any experience with the Rogue Metis preamp?

(3) Other recommendations for tube preamps?

I am having a ball doing research for a new 2-channel system. And listening to a tubed component for the first time was a real treat!

Thank you for any help!

Kit
kitjv
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
*In general* If you go with a tube amplifier you will find it smoother and more detailed than the best of transistors, if the speaker is compatible with the tube amplifier. This is because tubes obey the rules of human hearing to a much greater degree than transistors do (although this is not to say that that couldn't change in the future).

You've already heard how this works with preamps- its the same with power amplifiers.

Keep in mind that if you are investing in tube power, your investment dollar will be better served by a speaker that is 8 ohms or more (particularly in the woofer region) than a speaker that is 4 ohms.
kitjv OP
69 posts
 
Darkmoebius: In response to your questions.... I generally listen to jazz at moderate levels. My ears value a balance integrated sound which reproduces a live performance. An overly bright tremble or heavy bass is not desirable to me. I am leaning toward the Paradigm Reference Studio 100 main speakers with the Rogue Perseus tube preamp & Rotel RC 1080 S/S power amp.

Thanks, everyone, for guiding me through the myriad of available choices.

Also, if I can dovetail my own thread here....what are the main maintenance issues with tubes? How often to replace?
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Pay close to attention to Rlawry and Atmasphere's comments, a tube amplifier must be well mated to the speakers. Certain speakers need to have SS amplification if they do not have linear impedance (one might argue these are not particularly well desgined speakers, but that is another issue), but if you have "tube friendly" (your dealer should be able to help, or the speaker mfg)speakers, I think you will go to tube amps and never come back.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Solid state amp is a fairly good idea, check out the Stereophile measurements (impedance graph).

Other preamps you might also want to look int Modwright, BAT, Audio Research, K&K....
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Agree on SS for these speakers. How much are you willing to spend to upgrade from the Rotel?
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