bjlefebvre
Super Member
Got a little cash to spend and was mulling a change in my pre-amp. I currently have a Tube Box II, which I like, but am intrigued by the capacity switching options that the the Audio Budgie and Pro-JEct Tube Box S both offer. Other points I'm pondering is that the PAB, unlike the Tube Box S, is full-on tube, while the Tube Box S has a dedicated MC input in case I ever decide to go that route (My daily driver is a Nagaoka MP-300, my toolbox includes a Dynavector and a Grado Black/8MZ).
So I have specific questions I'd like to ask if anyone has used/heard both the PAB and the Tube Box:
1) Does the PAB capacity switching offer any improvements for a Nagaoka cart? I see recommendations for Grado and HOMC carts, but nothing for Nagaoka.
2) How does a dedicated tube amp sound different from a hybrid such as a Tube Box? Don't get into a general "tubes vs ss" debate (as per forum rules), just tell me HOW they're different. I've read opinions that the PAB is "more detailed" but "less musical" than the Tube Box - does anyone here have same opinion?
3) How easy/worthwhile is tube swapping on the PAB? I know that 12ax7s are plentiful and can be had at decent prices. How about the 6982s?
Thanks for any thoughts.
So I have specific questions I'd like to ask if anyone has used/heard both the PAB and the Tube Box:
1) Does the PAB capacity switching offer any improvements for a Nagaoka cart? I see recommendations for Grado and HOMC carts, but nothing for Nagaoka.
2) How does a dedicated tube amp sound different from a hybrid such as a Tube Box? Don't get into a general "tubes vs ss" debate (as per forum rules), just tell me HOW they're different. I've read opinions that the PAB is "more detailed" but "less musical" than the Tube Box - does anyone here have same opinion?
3) How easy/worthwhile is tube swapping on the PAB? I know that 12ax7s are plentiful and can be had at decent prices. How about the 6982s?
Thanks for any thoughts.