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Tube amp or pre? Which is Better?

62sunbeam

62sunbeam

Raconteur
I'm guessing that a tube amp or pair of mono blocks with a SS preamp will yield more of the tube sound than a tube pre into a SS amp will, correct?

I'm often tempted by inexpensive tube pre amps but I'm guessing I would be let down in comparison to a good SS pre feeding a tube amp.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Eric
 
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Boy, that's a tough question to answer. From what I've read awhile back, when I first started playing around with tubes, you get more of "the tube sound" with a tubed preamp. And I agree, to a good extent, but I think using a tubed amp makes a big difference too. So I guess the best thing to do, is get both, a tubed preamp AND a tubed amp, then you know you got it right. :D
 
what spaceman said is true.

if you HAVE to choose one, i guess it'll depend heavily on what speakers you're pushing. tube wattage is very expensive; specially when you need more than 30 or 40wpc.

looks like you have dahlquist. may wanna start with tubed pre. you'll be disappointed with low to mid powered tube power amp. unless that model has high efficiency and can be opened up with 20 - 30wpc.
 
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Interesting.

I always thought that the sweetness that is "Tube sound" came from the amplification of the signal not the processing of the signal. If that makes any sense?

Eric
 
afaik, both stages of amplifiers, pre and power, amplify signals. preamp amplify voltage to be fed to power section to amplify current to drive speakers.

some preamps are actually just volume control and input selector like passive or attenuator, but ones with tubes in them actually do amplify the signal.

also, i think there are many other factors that effect the "tube sound" other than just the amplification.
 
I've tried it both ways. I used to use a Lazarus Cascade Basic (tube) preamp into a Robertson 4010 (SS) amplifier. Now I use a Kenwood C2 Basic (SS) preamp into a bevy of tube gear (Fisher 800C, Dynaco ST-35, Magnavox 9304, Millett DCPP) and I have to say I prefer the latter arrangement. That being said, you get a lot more freedom speaker-wise with a high-powered solid-state amplifier.

-D
 
I had the same question.

I was using a Musical Fidelity A5 IA and just to see what a Tube Pre would add, picked up a AMC CVT 1030 Pre.

It adds much of the tube warmth and feeling that I was looking for.
 
62sunbeam said:
Interesting.

I always thought that the sweetness that is "Tube sound" came from the amplification of the signal not the processing of the signal. If that makes any sense?

Eric
Click to expand...

You can't really answer this question without taking matching into consideration.

It is also worth knowing if you desire for "Tube-Sound" means this unprecise fluffy tube sound you find in cheap china gear or if you are going for the fine precision and silky open midrange to top including a tight and precise deep bass that you get from the very best tube amps?

Expected that you want the genuine latter mentioned result, I believe; IMHO/IMHE:
The easiest way is to go tube in both pre and power
The cheapest way is to go tube pre and SS power
The best, but also most expensive, way is to go tube power and SS pre
The difficult way is to go tube pre and FET power

"dolph"
 
niklasthedol said:
You can't really answer this question without taking matching into consideration.

It is also worth knowing if you desire for "Tube-Sound" means this unprecise fluffy tube sound you find in cheap china gear or if you are going for the fine precision and silky open midrange to top including a tight and precise deep bass that you get from the very best tube amps?

Expected that you want the genuine latter mentioned result, I believe; IMHO/IMHE:
The easiest way is to go tube in both pre and power
The cheapest way is to go tube pre and SS power
The best, but also most expensive, way is to go tube power and SS pre
The difficult way is to go tube pre and FET power

"dolph"
Click to expand...

thanks Dolph..
 
The guy who sold me my HK stuff said that SS preamps were better than tube. He never explained the reason.

My SS pre must have really need some work, because the tube pre blows it out of the water. :yes:


Steve
 
You could come over and hear things for yourself, but I would save the trip and run a tube pre with whatever you want. You do need to be observant and match your pre gain output to your amp, so they play well together.:thmbsp:
 
62sunbeam said:
I'm guessing that a tube amp or pair of mono blocks with a SS preamp will yield more of the tube sound than a tube pre into a SS amp will, correct?

I'm often tempted by inexpensive tube pre amps but I'm guessing I would be let down in comparison to a good SS pre feeding a tube amp.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Eric
Click to expand...

I can't agree with you more. I have a LUXMAN LV-105 tube/ FET amp, and it sounds much more like SS, that is to say, 'solid' sound. The very thing I don't like with SS power amp is that it has a "relay contact" for protecton in the out put circuit.
In addition, lower output impedance of SS pre feeding very high input impedance tube amp will make a quieter sound.
 
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