2. amps-preamps
  3. 1264604932

Does a tube phono stage get through...

Solid State? If someone wants to obtain the "benefits" of a tube phono stage, will those benefits remain when that phono stage passes the signal through a solid state preamp and amplifier or will the solid state "benefits" take over?

I understand that a tube preamp can work well with solid state amplifiers but I was wondering if going one step backwards to just using a tube phono stage in the mix has similar results.
kencalgary
samujohn's avatar
samujohn
291 posts
 
Tubes add compression, harmonic distortion, and a high frequency roll off to the mix. Most of us just love it, i know I do. The technical and subjective reasons for this apparent contradiction takes a bit of study and open mindedness.
cheers
hifitime
715 posts
 
It will with mixed results.You'll have to be the judge of the sound of the combo.There are tube/solid state hybrid amps that have tubes in the input/driver stages with solid state outputs.Some people love them,others don't.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Yes, to some extent. In general, the closer tubes get to the speaker, the more 'tube sound' you can expect. A tube amp will give you the most 'tube sound'. A tube preamp w/ SS amp will give you some 'tube sound'. A tube source with SS preamp and SS amp will give you a bit of 'tube flavor'.

Cheers,
John
More to discover