Can you have too many tubes?


Hi...I have a TAD-150 signature tube preamp driving a Rogue Audio 90 tube amp. My front end is a Michell Gyro SE II with a Clearaudio Viruoso MM cartride. Would I be moving up if I added a dedicated phono stage? And if so, should it be tube or SS? Any recommendations are appreciated.
Ag insider logo xs@2xkdbrink

Showing 1 response by clio09

I actually think that you can have too many tubes. My amp, preamp, and phono stage are all tubes. When I upgragded my digital set-up I looked hard at a tube CDP, but ended up going with a solid state transport and DAC. Now I am also looking into a new phono stage and will be auditionaing 3 in home (Whest .20, Hagerman Trumpet, and Decware SP-1.5). Two are tubed and one is solid state. I'm actually anxious to hear how the solid state one performs (the Whest).

I am big believer in the tube sound, but sometimes a solid state design can be a great addition to the mix. The DAC I have was designed by an engineer whose other products are tube. He just thought tubes were not a good match with his DAC design and I would have to agree based on how it sounds. As for moving up to a dedicated phono stage, that would depend on how happy you were with the TAD phono stage. I see where today there is a MC option, but it appears you have the MM only. If you intend to move up to MC, which I prefer, then you'll need to add a phono stage. If your intent is to stay with MM and you're happy with what the TAD provides, there is little sense in adding another component ot the mix.

You don't mention budget which might influence my advice to you. A phono stage can ceratinly improve and upgrade your sound, but could cost you more, possibly much more than what you have invested in your preamp. Going back to the tubes, there is such a thing as too warm a sound, which an all tube system may give you. Again this is just my opinion and you may experience something different. I would at least do some in home testing on phono stages if that is possible. That is the only way to be sure if it upgrades your system and if tube or solid state is the way to go.