Tube Phono with Tube Integrated Amp?


what are the drawbacks (if any) of this setup?  

i recently acquired a VPI Prime (amazing) with a Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII.   using a ProJect Tube Box S (which was a phenomenal upgrade for my previous ProJect Carbon table).  right now, running this through a vintage Kenwood KA-9100, powering Elac UniFi's bookshelf speakers. 

i'm looking to build a 2 channel system that i can grow with, so please disregard the amp/speakers for now.  I've read great things about the Manley Chinook and the Allnic H1201.   in the event that i upgrade to a tube integrated amp in the future, is there any downside?
i've read on this forum that a tube phono is better paired with a solid state amp.  



mjb87062017

Showing 1 response by jsm71

Tubes of solid state, thats the question....
first: tubes are voltage amps, second: solidstate are current amplifiers.
Both are good, but the ouput transformers in tube amplfier do have there own characteristics. With other words, there is an influence on the sound; not bad, but it still is.
(think of the hysteresis of the electro magnetic field...)

I never realized my tube amps were "influenced" so much by traditional iron core transformers.  I've gone to fully tube based Linear Tube Audio preamp and amp, based on David Berning's designs.  This allows tube magic to drive the sound without traditional transformers. 

I also use a tube phono stage custom made by Don Sachs.  My all tube electronics provide zero background noise and emit no tube rush or other negative artifacts from tube operation. 

My all tube system now is as quiet as my prior all SS setups.  The tubes however allow for the most realistic presentation with amazing imaging.  My SS setups were always Hi-fi sounding but not that realistic.