2. amps-preamps
  3. 1326119143

pass labs xa30 to valve amplifier.

hi all, i have the above amplifier direct to droplet cd player and zingali 20.6 ( i think thats model number) , chord anthem 2 xlr and epic speaker cable. no preamp as droplet has volume control.

ive been thinking of valve amps recently, but have never been able to hear one. the pass is excellent but i was wondering how a valve amp would change the sound. would a valve one have the same level of clarity and detail? i have heard valve amps offer a more laid back, spacial sound, with emphasis on soundstage? wht kind of price range should i be looking at to better the pass? any thought?
james123
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
The good thing is you do not need a lot of power, which is a good thing with tube amps, lower power is generally simpler, fewer output devices, much less money, and I have always found that with the same basic circuit, less power sounds better than more power if it is sufficient power for you speakers.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pubul57,
I agree with you,simpler design(fewer parts and minimalist approach) + quaility execution/built = better sound. I once believed the more power the better(can`t have too much power school of thought). I was wrong.
onemug
784 posts
 
Have you ever considered a tube preamp or do you want to stay direct from Droplet to amp?
james123 OP
61 posts
 
hi, i did consider a tube preamp. would that change the sound? im not saying the sound from the pass is not good, it is very good indeed and even over 4 yrs listening to it, it still pleases me hugely, but as mentioned before i want to experience the tube sound for the first time to see what all the fuss is about. are they really that good? if i went for tube amp or preamp, if worthwhile, i guess the chord anthem 2 xlr would be unusable? any good preamps? thank you.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
A tube pre can change the sound a bit, but in my experience the tube experience and the distinctive sound of tubes comes much more from the tube amp / speaker relationship than a tube pre. You have a great amp, so if you want to experiment, I think a tube amp or integrated tube amp would be the direction I would go. IMHO a tube preamp won't give you enough of the tube experience - which does not mean a tube preamp and SS amp can't sound wonderful, but IME it is not the real tube experience that tubeahololics love.
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