Question: Why do people use...

Tubed preamps and solid state amps as opposed to SS preamps and tubed amps? Is there more going on sonically in the pre than the amp?

electric_monk12-31-2003 4:02am

s23chang Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 617 posts 12-31-2003 at 03:31pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I've auditioned all setups and still found Tube preamp to tube amp most appealing sound by far. Tube preamp with SS amp is the runner up. SONY ES9000 SS preamp with Bryston 9BST SS amp Audio Research SP-11 tube preamp with Bryston 4BST SS amp ARC sp-11 tube preamp with McIntosh MC-240 tube amp Mark Levinson 23.5 SS preamp with Sonic Frontier tube amp Mark Levinson 23.5 with Nelson PASS X-150 SS amp Marantz 7c tube preamp with Sonic Frontier tube amp Marantz 7c tube preamp with Classe DR-3 HVC SS amp Counterpoint SA-5000 with Lafayette KT-550 tube amp Counterpoint SA-5000 with SET EL84 tube amp I agree that most of SS amp has better low frequency reproduction but there are many tube amp can also produce good low frequency reproduction. I don't think BASS would an issue in tube gear as long as your amp is within spec. However, tube amp are not recommended for Subwoofers because of the constant high current demand.
s23chang Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 617 posts 01-02-2004 at 05:03am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Not practical becuase it will not sound the same. Better off switching out the ICs to make it sound right. A friend of my did similar thing and didn't realize why it sound bad until he remove the extra link.