Pros/Cons of moving from CJ PV 10 to SS?


I currently have a CJ PV10 for my preamp. I’m considering replacing it with a solid state preamp around $2000. What are the pros and cons of such a move?

Reasons for the move:
The CJ doesn’t have much in the way of resolution.
I will get a high pitched whine after its been on for several hours. Its done this with all the tubes I’ve tried.

Current set up:

Rotel cd player with PS Audio Dac, w/level three Cullen mods.
Amp: Wyred ST 500 (Replaced aging PS Audio 240 watt mono blocks. The Wyred sounds better).
Speakers: Energy 22.3. This was one step down from the Veritas series. It’s a bit forward sounding. I expect to replace it with either Dynaudio Focus 22.3’s or Vandersteen 3A Signatures.

Music: Almost anything acoustic, 60’s rock.
oldnslow

Showing 1 response by mechans

Pro you will likely end up with a cleaner sonic going SS. You will almost certainly eliminate the high pitched sound, but as mentioned that is suggestive of a physical problem with your pre that should not exist. You may want to get it fixed. The rest of your system sounds fine and with 6 Moon's little shoot out comparing two First Watt amps with the M designed to have a wqarm sound, the Cullen Wyred was found to be even warmer. Yes look it up! I would be careful going overboard with Vandy's. So its a pro for a more middle of the spectrum synergy if you use a crisp SS pre, with the rest a little toasty.
The con, and it's a big one, is the potential loss of stage, air and halography, which is what I always found was the great beauty of tubes. I would suggest to fully appreciate this phenomena try an all tube system with pre and power tube amps. It's quite a revelation. Too me it was, anyway.