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Tube Pre-Amp with Solid State Amp?

I am building out a second sound room in my office which will be for music only. I am starting with Kef 104/2 for speakers. I plan to add either an integrated or pre-amp/amp with a turntable and CD player. The question is, a lot of folks say/think the preamp is the heart and sole of a system, should I go tube preamp with solid state amp? It seems tube amps can be more of a hassle. Just wanted folk's opinions.
danlalane
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
I replaced my SS pre with a tube pre and SS power amp and noticed a big difference, but I never tried combining a SS pre with a tubed amp. After about six months with the tube pre and SS power amp, I replaced my SS power amp with a tubed power amp. I now have a tubed preamp and power amp. I wouldn't say that tubes are a hassle, but they do require more care than SS. As mentioned, impedance matching is important. Input impedance of the Power amp should be at least 10 times larger than the preamps output. My amp input impedance is 100,000 ohms and the preamp output impedance is 400 ohms.
danlalane OP
7 posts
 
Thank you guys. To clarify. I didn't mean to debate the pre-amp being the heart and soul of a system. What I was getting at was if matching a tube preamp with a SS amp was a good idea? ie Best of both worlds. I am after ease of use, convenience, but with great sound and value.
dob
577 posts
 
Tube Hassle or Is It?
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In all Joule-Electra preamps (and surely some others) you have stand-by feature which allows you to have 24/7 warm-up preamp. Just flip switch and off you go.

Next, in Joule-Electra preamps you need to re-tube every 5-10 years and if you can connect USB cord to your computer then you can install vacuum tube.

Next, Joule-Electra preamps have two outputs: one with 1200 Ohm impedance and another with 350 Ohms impedance. If your power amplifier allows you to use 1200 Ohms output of the preamp then the life span of your signal tubes...double.

Finally, this is unique to Joule-Electra - to the best of my knowledge. The cost of re-tubing is about $200 and you get the best NOS tubes in the world (Joule-Electra has thousands of them for half century, I think). No other preamp manufacturer come even close by price and ..only currently manufactured tubes.

All The Best
Rafael
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