2. amps-preamps
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Low level res more inherent in tubes?

A post re: what sound level do you listen at got me thinking. I noticed a high percentage responding they listen in the 80-85 db range. I checked my system and room with a variety of music and rarely found a need to go beyond 70db to achieve a satisfying sound, unless a few adult beverages were consumed, then it went a bit higher.

This is with a current integrated tube setup- I thought back to some previous SS amps and remembered a tendency (or a need) to play the music louder, sometimes much louder to achieve a certain satisfaction of sound. To me, the current amp is better at conveying details at lower sound levels.

So, I guess the bottom line is- Is there such a thing as good low level res or microdynamics from SS power? How far up the SS amp food chain do you need to go to get it?

Or is it just more inherent in tube amplification?

Or- would it have more to do with the tube pre-amp within the system?

128x128rwbadley

Showing 2 responses by reubent

reubent
6,936 posts
 
RW,

If I recall correctly, your integrated amp. does not have a tubed pre-amp section, it is a passive pre-amp containing only the volume control and input switching. All of the tubes are in the amplifier section to the best of my knowledge.

Check with Paul for details, but I'm fairly certain about this. Matter-o-fact, I think Paul told me to turn the volume up to 100% if I have a pre-amp or other means of volume control. The 100% volume level would basically take the volume control out the circuit.

Anyway, nothing at all to do with the main point of your post, but you mentioned tubed pre-amp and I thought I would chime in......

Enjoy,

TIC
reubent
6,936 posts
 
All,

Could someone chime in with a few definitions/examples/differences between these:

Low-Level definition
Inner detail
macro dynamics
micro dynamics

Just curious as I want to write a review of my new Channel Islands VMB-1 amps and I want to know how to articulate what I am hearing. These amps have an incredible ability to let me follow bass lines that were smeared via other amps and I can easily follow some background vocals and conversations in some recordings where I was previously unable to do so.

Thanks and Enjoy,

TIC
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