2. amps-preamps
  3. 1362541729

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
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Only if you sang without a mike and the band used no amplification.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
And here you guys thought all that hair was to look cool. It was to insulate their ears against Marshall amps on a volume of 11.
wescoman
113 posts
 
I agree with Audiolabyrinth. Tube preamp to solid state amplifier is great sounding. I own same. CODA 10.5r solid state amp mated to Cary Audio SLP98L tube preamp. Just make sure you don't combine a direct-coupled preamp with direct-coupled solid state amplifier. That can cause problems in the future. Spend the money on good NOS (new old stock) preamp tubes.
vicdamone
850 posts
 
Mrmitch, the sound of music live. Actually, coupled with the right speaker systems (with subs) many of the modest systems we all own can get quit close to live sound.

The problem is not exactly with our play back equipment it's the generations of production and processing of the media we are listening to.

As a Bass player I'm in recording studios often. What I hear from the original track recordings, analog and digital, is remarkably life like. The digital files sound even better at home on my system.

Once those same files begin the mixing process the degradation begins. It takes another hit in mastering, yet again in pressing / burning, and distribution can't help.

Those high dollar master tapes you may experience at a show have, at the very least, been mixed. Even so you might be able to get an idea from them.
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
If you believe that a tube preamp or amp sounds better, then it will. The same goes for Solid State. Both types of electronics are a means to an end. In the end it comes down to personal preference and affordability. Its funny how in the 80s to early 90s good tube gear could be had for a fairly reasonable price that sounded as good the SOTA, very expensive SS gear- albeit with some component upgrades such as better wiring, capacitors and so forth. Now, it seems both types of electronics have comparable pricing. Tube gear has an ongoing cost that must be considered- replacement tubes. Not too bad when it comes to preamps, but big power amps can carry a significant maintenance fee for the periodic replacement of tubes.
More to discover