I was using Wadia 27 and found them running directly to power amps sounding too direct. The sound was upfront and very clear but lacked musicality. Especially when the dynamic gets really loud, the direct drive will always sound harsher and less controlled than thru a good pre. But the key word is GOOD PRE. You will not get good result running the Wadia thru mediocre pre. Tube pres are mostly favorable.
Now I got rid of the Wadia and have Dcs Elgar/Purcell in my system. It's a different story. My Dcs drives directly into the VK 60s(4 monoblocks) with absolute quiteness and all the musicallity one can ask for. So the lesson for me is, running direct is potentially good but very expensive to do it right. If there was any pre that makes my system sounding better, I have not found it.
Suchart
Now I got rid of the Wadia and have Dcs Elgar/Purcell in my system. It's a different story. My Dcs drives directly into the VK 60s(4 monoblocks) with absolute quiteness and all the musicallity one can ask for. So the lesson for me is, running direct is potentially good but very expensive to do it right. If there was any pre that makes my system sounding better, I have not found it.
Suchart