2. amps-preamps
  3. 1268594670

tutube or not tutube

I'm a little frightened (not really, just kidding). I asked a question a while back about what would be a good pre to go with my Rotel RB1090 SS Amp and my B&W Nautilus 805's (with the expectation of moving back to Nautilus 802's or close in the next year or 2). Most of the responses were in the tube area and I really appreciated the info. But as I look more into this I feel a little overwhelmed about dealing with tubes. It seems like there's so much to know and so much to be careful about. I know a lot of you are hard core hobbyists when it comes to this stuff and I'd like to be too but it's just not practical for me right now. The things that make me nervous are: how old are the tubes on the unit I might buy? How long will they last? If I have to replace them is it going to cost me a bundle and with all the tubes there are out there how am I sure I'm getting good ones? How much does varying the tubes affect the sound? I'm guessing that some of you have various sets of tubes that you change out depending on the type of music you're listening to. I read a little bit about dampeners too and that seems like a whole science in itself. All of this sounds fun if you have the time, money and patience for it. Can one go tube without being so paranoid about all the possible complications? Am I better off just going with something like the Krell krc-hr that's on here right now? Seems like quite a bargain even though it's probably over 10 years old (but so is most of my equipment). When I do this, I'll probably have about a $2k limit. And at some point may choose to replace my amp as I slowly upgrade things so I'd want to keep that in mind as well. Anyway, I'm don't mean to sound like I'm asking the same question over again. I'm not doing that. I'm just trying to figure out if I'd really be overwhelmed by going tube or if it would really be a satisfying change.
udo
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,687 posts
 
I think the most important question is this,do you listen or leave your system on for extended periods of time?If you do,I wouldn't recommend tubed equipment,especially if you use your system for movies and/or television.I have music playing almost continuously when I'm at home.I ended up getting two different systems, a solid state for most of my listening and a tubed for more critical listening.If,on the other hand,you only listen for a few hours at a time,I would highly recommend a tubed system.Start out with a simple integrated and see how you like it.Learn the basic maintentance and upkeep and you should be fine.After some time,research and experience,step up to a level you are comfortable with.You can make this is simple or as difficult as you want,same as any equipment.I can't answer your specific questions because there are too many variables involved.Maybe someone else will stick their neck out on that!!!I hope this basic rant somehow helps you.Good luck.
newbee
4,775 posts
 
Tube pre-amps/line stages are as simple, or as complex, as you fear/require depending on your actual usage and sonic demands.

For example, I'm aware of a tube line stage which can be left on 24/365, uses easily acquired and inexpensive small tubes which have a manufacturers claim of a 5 year life expectancy. It is as close to plug and play as you can get and (if you like it!) sounds pretty good. If you WANT to change the tone you can by putting in a few different tubes BUT you don't have to. No frills, not eye candy, will not impress anyone! Not built like a tank either. But then its simple and there is not much in it to fail either. Used it costs less than $1000. For me it is a bargain in that unlike solid state stuff I at least have an option to change its tone to accommodate a new piece of equipment (recall the importance of synergy) without having to start a search for a new pre-amp.

I also have a fairly decent high(er) end pre-amp with a phono stage. Another no frills unit, 4 tubes, sounds pretty good with new production tubes, well built, and looks nice as well. Cost well less than 1000 used.

Whether you become paranoid about tube selection or not depends on how anal you are about things, and or how much you feel you want to or must depend on others for advise to get you where you want to go. I've been fiddling with tubes a long time now and unhesitatingly use new production tubes often, and often in preference to some of the NOS tubes you see others recommend. So I guess you can take 'tubes' as far as you want to go, or not, but with SS stuff you are fairly stuck with what you get, tonally speaking at least.

We know ourselves better than others so do what makes you comfortable. FWIW it took me a long time to jump from SS stuff to tubes for reasons of fear born out of ignorance but I've never looked back. And I used my first tubed CDP and first tubed pre-amp for many years without ever exploring tube rolling or maintenance.
Post removed 
More to discover