Tube Pre with Benchmark AHB2 Amp - anyone doing this?

If so, please enlighten me on the benefits over a SS pre or say, a DAC with volume control directly into the AHB2.

Thank you

timothy_m01-31-2025 2:53pm

mapman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 23,625 posts 02-01-2025 at 11:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @invalid , true, Not all. Linear Tube Audio for example. That’s due to their proprietary ZOTL technology that makes them unique. Good stuff. Quality more-SS like sound but with tubes. Something different. The “linear” in the name is appropriate.
invalid Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,378 posts 02-01-2025 at 11:55pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @mapman it doesn't have to be a proprietary circuit, there are plenty of tube preamps with low output impedance.
mapman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 23,625 posts 02-02-2025 at 12:57am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Could be. Regardless, the devil is in the details. If using a SS amp with tube pre-amp, imdepance matching is key to getting best results. If you go with a SS amp that has at least 50-60kohm input impedance, one would expect good results. We’re it me I would look for 100kohm input impedance minimum to be safe.