2. amps-preamps
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What is a better route, tube or SS preamp?

Hi everyone! I recently unloaded all of my home theatre gear, and am concentrating on a 2 channel stereo system. So far I have a shanling cd-80, a naim 150 amp, Martin logan aerius loudspeakers, and a carver ct-17 preamp. I'm looking to replace the preamp, however, I'm not sure wether I should go solid state or tube. I know I need to demo some of both, but I wanted some opinions or if anyone has prior experience in this matter. Right now my amp is a SS and my cd has tube output. Everything sounds pretty good, but I want it to sound great!
Also, I will mostly be listening to a lot of hard rock and heavy metal, but also a lot of classic rock as well..
Lastly, I am aware of the amp input impedance and preamp output impedance ratio for both tube and SS. Is there anything else I should consider when pairing an amp and preamp?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks everyone!
bstevens
mrmitch
359 posts
 
I can sympathize with Wolf, having played in rock bands locally in the tri-state area during the 60's and early 70's. My hearing in the high treble range is probably not what it once was.
wolf_garcia
6,696 posts
 
What is weird is I THINK I can hear fine...I dislike squeeky or shrill treble, I seem to be able to hear a full range of music, and if there is some high pitched something or other I can't hear I prefer not to hear it anyway. I do have that thing where I can't hear well when there's a lot of ambient racket and a "soft talker" is yammering at me.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
The drawback to tube pre's is that if/when a tube goes a pair of expensive speakers is probaly going with it.
At least my KEF's and Rega's did. RIP
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,206 posts
 
"The drawback to tube pre's is that if/when a tube goes a pair of expensive speakers is probaly going with it."

I have not found that to be the case so far (knock on wood) with my ARC sp16, but that is certainly something worth considering with any tube gear. It may sound lovely, but how well protected are you when a tube inevitably fails? Definitely worth knowing an answer, if you can find it.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,206 posts
 
"The drawback to tube pre's is that if/when a tube goes a pair of expensive speakers is probaly going with it."

I have not found that to be the case so far (knock on wood) with my ARC sp16, but that is certainly something worth considering with any tube gear. It may sound lovely, but how well protected are you when a tube inevitably fails? Definitely worth knowing an answer, if you can determine it in advance somehow.
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