2. amps-preamps
  3. 1362541729

What is a better route, tube or SS preamp?

Hi everyone! I recently unloaded all of my home theatre gear, and am concentrating on a 2 channel stereo system. So far I have a shanling cd-80, a naim 150 amp, Martin logan aerius loudspeakers, and a carver ct-17 preamp. I'm looking to replace the preamp, however, I'm not sure wether I should go solid state or tube. I know I need to demo some of both, but I wanted some opinions or if anyone has prior experience in this matter. Right now my amp is a SS and my cd has tube output. Everything sounds pretty good, but I want it to sound great!
Also, I will mostly be listening to a lot of hard rock and heavy metal, but also a lot of classic rock as well..
Lastly, I am aware of the amp input impedance and preamp output impedance ratio for both tube and SS. Is there anything else I should consider when pairing an amp and preamp?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks everyone!
bstevens

Showing 5 responses by mrmitch

mrmitch
359 posts
 
Wolf's hearing is probably more acute in the higher registers because.......DUH............he's a wolf. Lol! I myself have had great success with a tubed preamp and tube phono preamp going to a solid state amplifier, but your mileage may vary. I don't claim to have golden ears but I am a guitar, bass, and keyboard player going back to when I was 7 years old (62 now), so I'm familiar with how music ought to sound live. Each of us hears differently due to age and health,our rooms and ancillary equipment are different, so you have to find what works for you, for YOUR ears. The tube pres and soild state amp gives me the combination of ambiance retrieval and trueness of timbre while also providing a deep, solid bass foundation to the types of music I enjoy (everything but country and hip-hop).
mrmitch
359 posts
 
And before I get pounced on, yes, I do realize no stereo gives you the sound of music live. It's a comparison point to start from.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
So since I have a tube preamp and tube phono preamp and a solid state amplifier, I must now settle for being only 2/3 the fun that Wolf and Iso are. Bummer!
mrmitch
359 posts
 
I can sympathize with Wolf, having played in rock bands locally in the tri-state area during the 60's and early 70's. My hearing in the high treble range is probably not what it once was.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
And here you guys thought all that hair was to look cool. It was to insulate their ears against Marshall amps on a volume of 11.
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