2. amps-preamps
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Adding tubes to SS system-Tube Preamp Amp or Int?

After reading up on tube gear, I am intrigued to try out tubes for the first time in my 2-channel system. As of right now, it is all solid state - I recently got hold of a Parasound JC2 preamp and A21 amp.

I'd like to incorporate something 'tubey' in there just to see for myself what the sound will be like. I am totally new to this, so I dont know where to begin. But I know that I only want to buy a single component for now, so...

Do you folks have an opinion on whether it would be 'better' in any way to use a tube preamp connected to the Parasound A21 amp vs a tube amp connected to the Parasound JC2 preamp? For those of you that love tubes, which method do you think would give you more of the 'tube sound'?

Another consideration - my JC2 is setup with an HT bypass, but since I am not using HT in this system yet, I am thinking it might be a neat option to find a tube preamp, send it through the JC2 bypass directly into the A21 amp. That way, there will be no needed movement of cables (connecting/disconnecting) in order to utilize both the solid state and tube components.

If those are both just bad or suboptimal choices, maybe I'll just look for an integrated tube amp? But again, I want to leave it at one component for now. Just want to start limiting my choices to one of the 3.
nnck
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Mechans,
Very well said.
larryi
4,018 posts
 
At least here, it does not seem to be a minority opinion that a tube power amp is the preferred way to sample tubes. I agree with that, with the caveat that it is quite important to consider power requirement as well as output impedance match. I tend to think that most people OVER estimate how much power they really need, but still, with certain speakers, one cannot consider certain amps because of power limitations. Likewise, I think a lot of people over estimate the importance of amplifier damping factor, but, there may be certain speakers with too highly reactive impedance for use with certain amplifiers.

I am a fan of low output single-ended amps (2a3, 45 tube in particular), but, frankly, these are highly specialized amps for use with high efficiency/high impedance speakers. I've also heard, and liked some higher power single-ended triode amps using 211 and 845 tubes (Wyetech and Viva amps for example), but these tend to be expensive because of the demand placed on having very high quality output transformers and power supplies. For higher power needs, my first preference are output transformerless amps, like those made by Atmasphere (very dynamic and lively sounding).

Good luck on your search. Searching for the right tube gear is either a lot of fun or a major source of frustration-it depends on your inclination to experiment, and a lot of LUCK.
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
I agree completely with Charles1dad, Mechans and all the rest who are advising a tube amplifier if you want to experience tubes. While upstream tubes will influence the sound of your system, they will not give your system a tube sound. In other words: tube source + tube pre + SS amp = SS sound, IMO.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
To get the benefit of tubes, it is probably best in the amp.
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