Tube Preamp with Solid State Amp

[try1256]

I am using a BAT VK-3i with an Odyssey Khartago power amp. It is quite a good sounding combination. My next amp will probably be a BAT SS. The VK-3i can be found for less than $2k.

 

[mjw21a]

Done it both ways. Solid state pre and a tube power amp and vis versa. How good it sounds depends on what you are using.
Synergy is the goal here. So, try it.

I've found so far I prefer either all tube or solid state phono with tube integrated amp.

I'm planning on getting a Crown XLS1502 to see if there's merit in the high powered SS approach with tube front end. I didn't much like a tube phono with an 80wpc AVR previously. The Crown should be better than that at least

 

[theoman]

Whats the difference between Line stage and a Preamp?

Also Whats the difference in using the balanced in puts and not? should I buy one with one with? will it sound better? My amp has them

 

[datafone]

Unless the whole circuit/s is balanced, any XLR connections are just tacked on and might actually lessen performance over unbalanced connections.

 

[captouch]

I think a line stage and preamp are pretty much used interchangeably, though when I hear line stage I most often assume that it has no phono stage. When it does, I'm used to reading 'line stage with phono' or something along those lines. Whereas a preamp may or may not have one built in.

I believe balanced connections reject noise better and are recommended for long runs between preamp and amp. For short runs, I don't think it makes a huge difference, though if your amp has balanced inputs, it could be a factor to consider in your preamp selection. But if the run will be short, I'd rather have a preamp that was better to my ears that lacked them, rather than one that didn't sound quite as good but had them.

 

[theoman]

I found a Audio Research SP-16 and a SP-17 on uses 6H30 dual triodes and the other uses 12AX7EH dual triodes. Is one better than the other?

 

[MX117.MC7150]

There are a ton of NOS and new 12AX7s out there, so you can tube-roll to your hearts content for little money. Off course, you can buy NOS tubes for stupid amounts of money, as well. There are only a couple of 6H30s out there, so you get what's offered. You can spend a stupid amount to get primo-Soviet era 6H30s, but they get expensive.

 

[theoman]

Sound difference? They only. Thing is with or without XLRs?

 

[MX117.MC7150]

Only your ears can tell you the sound difference. Google up some reviews and see what the "pro's" say about both. The LS17 reviews will likely discuss the differences between it and the previous iteration.

 

[theoman]

I checked out the LS-16 today and It did sound good. But he was using 20k Cary amps. But I'm still going back and forth on the XLR's and the 6H30 vs 12AX7EH tubes.
My new amp has XLR's I know about 12AX7EH's but not much on the 6H30's. And there's the issue's of the XLR's

 

[MX117.MC7150]

Get XLR-to-RCA adapters. Cardas, amongst others, makes nice ones. Or, if you use decent cables the mfgr will change one end of an XLR to RCA, etc. At least Kimber and WireWorld have always been happy to do so for me.

 

[theoman]

so the the XLR's dont sound any different then the RCA's? is AR the only one using 6H30?

I see in other posts that the 6H30 is a very good tube.

 

[MX117.MC7150]

Sometimes XLRs sound better. Sometimes RCAs sound better. The only absolute in this game is what you hear (not what someone else hears).

 

[theoman]

the main differences I see the the preamps is (2)6H30 vs (6)12AX7EH
the reviews are great for both. Maybe I'll use the SP16 for awhile and upgrade at a latter date.
there is a 500.00 difference. As for the BAT I havent see a use one up for sale in a long time.

 

[vinylkid58]

the main differences I see the the preamps is (2)6H30 vs (6)12AX7EH
the reviews are great for both. Maybe I'll use the SP16 for awhile and upgrade at a latter date.

Don't see 6 x 12AX7's in either the LS16 MKII or LS17. Both list 2 x 6H30. The only reason to have that many 12AX7's would be if the unit was a linestage with a phono section as well.

http://www.arcdb.ws/LS16/LS16.html
http://www.arcdb.ws/LS17/LS17.html

Edit: Ok, don't mind me, I found the 12AX7's in the SP16 you listed further back.

jeff

 

[theoman]

on the top is the 16 and lower 17 both have same face.

 

[theoman]

here's the fronts

 

[MX117.MC7150]

If memory serves, the reason that the 6H30 is so popular today is it can be designed with a much lower output impedance (read power amp input friendly) with only a pair of tubes while using the 12AX7 or 6922, etc., generally requires the use of at least a quad and generally six tubes to get to the same place. I could be wrong. Plus, the 6H30 limits the fun/sound changes associated with tube-rolling, of which I'm a fan.

With either of these preamps, I would have a difficult time with only a remote volume or button volume control. I'm so old fashioned that I need a rotary knob, even if remote controlled. YMMV. If the OP shops around, he should be able to find an LS17SE for just over his $2K figure.

 

[Funky54]

I went down this road and its worth doing. My only real advice is invest is a tube preamp that is known to be romantic. A bit over the top tube sounding. The effect is minimized with solid sate. Or at least it was with what I’ve tried. I’m currently using a Rogue Persius Atlas tube preamp with a 200wpc SS amp. Its temporary because my tube amp is being serviced.

The all tube... sounded more tube. Before the Perseus preamp I was using a Yaqin MS12-b tube preamp with the same solid state amp I’m using now. In truth the yaqin was slightly less detailed but warmer tubby sounding. Paired with the SS amp it was a better combo. Paired with the TUBE amp I prefer the Perseus. It brought greater detail without losing the tube warmth. With solid sate the persius isnt as tubby, just solid state detailed..but very airy.

 

[theoman]

After looking at the pictures for the inside and being a Design Engineer it looks all cost cutting.