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For tube sound, which is more important: preamp or power amp?

I have always loved the “tube sound” - warmth, midrange, soundstage. Through the years (since about 1975), I have owned many tube and solid state amps and preamps, in various combinations. Presently, I have a tube amp and a solid state preamp. But like most of you, I am thinking of making changes, again.  Not to cloud the discussion, the specific brands are not important.  I also listen to acoustic music, females vocals, love mini monitors, EL34s, NOS tubes, and don’t care that much about bass.  So you can see that my taste fits the tube sound very well. But I have had systems that are too warm, not enough dynamics or details, and fat in the low end, too.

okay, now to the discussion.  To produce the tube sound, which is more important: the preamp or the power amp?  Let’s talk in general, and (if possible? May not be) not tied to one specific piece/brand/model of equipment.  I know there are exceptions to any general rule.  Not sure if it makes a difference to your comments, but I have no phono and am running line stage only.

As an attempt to prevent the conversation as going in a big tangent, let’s assume equality of price/quality. i.e. not comparing a $10k power amps contribution to a system to that of a $1k preamp.  Let’s also assume that the amp (tube or solid state) can drive the speakers just fine, such that compatibility does not limit the decision. And ignore mono blocks versus stereo amp differences.  

two follow ons: I have  the perception that preamps give you more bang for the buck - meaning that it takes less money to get a great tube preamp compared to a great tube amp.  Agree/disagree? And second, I have never owned a tube dac or CD player, and will assume that tubes in either of these is less critical than in a preamp or power amp. Agree/disagree?

i am interested in your thoughts.

Bill
meiatflask
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Al,
Thanks for your kind words. I have the same thoughts regarding inna. It's perfectly fine if he doesn't want to go a particular route with certain components.  However it's the dogmatic stance that this approach is BS,  how so?  What informs this conclusion?:That people have done SS preamps/tube amps very effectively is counter to a BS result.
Charles 
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,832 posts
 
Does not matter.

What does matter is that the tube amp be matched with speakers that the tube amp is capable of driving properly.

Also what matters is that if a tube preamp is used (higher output impedance) look for a power amp with higher input impedance as well to better mate with the tube pre-amp.

Results will be better dynamics and lower distortion, always a good thing.

Results may always sound "good". "good" is totally subjective. But by following these basic guidelines you can better cut to the chase and avoid discovering down the road that properly mated components work better together and hence almost always sound better as well.
james1969's avatar
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james1969
347 posts
 
Another reason to stay with 1 designer, they will make sure their components have synergy.
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wolf_garcia
6,598 posts
 
I've found that the "expense" of tube power amps based on tube replacement cost is assuaged by the fact (a fact to me anyway…which is as "facty" as I need) that often the tube amp is cheaper to buy relative to the sound quality of SS amps. Case in point: I compared some expensive SS amps here and there over the years to my faithful all tube (except the rectifier) Jolida 502P power amp and the Jolida, with nice sounding tubes, sounded simply better in every case, and was inexpensive…and now I own the best sounding amp I've ever heard, a Dennis Had "Inspire" SEP, which does require relatively efficient speakers but costs around 1200 (mine was slightly used) to 1500 bucks…an SS amp with this much mojo would be more money it seems. First Watt? 3 grand if you're lucky. And the Had amp has exactly 4 tubes. You don't like heat? I get that (sort of), but have never been bothered by tube heat unless I just burnt my fingers biasing or dusting or something…my mansion has AC anyway, and I can get my valet to dust if he hasn't been drinking.
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