Your Revel speakers are good enough for a tube power amp. They are 91db and 8 ohms which is great for tube amp.About preamp - I wasn’t a big proponent of changing preamp vs power amp. I thought power amp will give you bigger improvement over preamp. This was until I put my new preamp WAVE tube preamp from Audio Mirror (currently at 20% off) in the system. I am not exaggerating, but it was a WOW! Everything improved. I’ve got bigger soundstage, more details and less grainy sound. Improved immediacy and dynamics. Improved imaging. In my case live and natural representation, the feeling like you are in front of musicians or like you are in the studio. Music became more airy and easy flowing. I sat and listened for hours and I was re-discovering music I know by heart. Of coarse I am talking about tube preamps. Design is very important. Don’t go for preamp with many tubes involved. This is a wrong understanding than the more is better. It is quite opposite. Look for good sounding tubes, capacitor-less design and high quality parts. High quality parts are bringing the refinement and microdetails in the sound. They can shape the sound too. They require longer brake in time, but the improvement is worth. In short a good preamp can bring big improvements if chosen wright.
Suggestions for a tube pre and power amp
Dear Audio Friends,
I am writing to seek your experienced suggestions regarding an upgrade to my current stereo setup. My current system consists of Revel F328Be speakers powered by a Luxman 590Mk2 Class A integrated amp. My frontend includes a Sonic Transporter (Roon core) powered by a Farad LPS, a Holo Red streamer, and a Holo May KTE DAC.
I am considering transitioning to a tube preamplifier and a solid-state power amplifier combination. While my speakers have a 91dB sensitivity, the impedance dips to 3 ohms between 100Hz and 200Hz.
My current shortlists are as follows:
- Power Amps: Coda S5.5 Class A or Coda No. 8 V1.
- Tube Preamps: Backert Labs Rhumba, Spatial Audio Raven, or Motherlode XL.
I am looking for a 3D holographic, warm sound with a high level of clarity and detail. While I am aware of the general rules regarding impedance matching, I would value your insights on how these specific components might pair together. I am also very open to any other combinations you might recommend.
Thank you for your help.
Rlal
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- 125 posts total
A careful look at the impedance and phase curves shows that the f328be has impedance below 8 ohms for most of the range from 20 to 3000 Hz (see ASR measurements). That coupled with the low phase between 20 and 100 Hz will faze (!!!) any amp. One needs and amp with lots of current to drive these speakers to their full capability. SS amps provide that. I have listened to many tube power amps with my Revel f208 speakers, such as those from ARC, CJ and Cary. It was only when I went back to my old trusted ML #27 that the speakers truly opened. Even some SS amps like the Bryston 2.5b are lacking in current delivery. Tube amps are great with the right speakers. The f328be are not the right speakers for tube amps. |
On the hegel h30 vs coda you probably have to run the hegel in mono like I have to kick it. Its 4 k transients. However it was having a hard time running my magico q7. Nothing like the big kw macintosh amps run everything sound great. I would like to try the coda 40? I have the coda running sanders esl. Nice amps great meters. |
@lals I would like to know what kind of sound you’re seeking that you are not getting now. If I were to recommend the kit I own and sound good to me like most of the posts here I would indicate the Luxman L-590AxII. Sound familiar? Power shouldn’t be an issue as the 590 is capable of 160WPC continuously into 4 ohms and 330WPC dynamically into 2 ohms with 13 amps of available current (Paul Miller lab report Hi-Fi News). Maybe a “shiny” treble? Methinks that post was probably caused by listening through a tipped-up metal dome tweeter that are oh so fashionable these days. The Luxman has a cure for that, just turn the treble control down a notch. And it’s free! If you really have an itch to try a tube preamp, and I completely understand that 😉, try the Luxman CL-38uC. It ticks all your boxes with a remote, balanced inputs (not outputs, tho) that use input transformers, the only way to properly implement balanced connections in tube gear, plus flexible, defeatable tone controls, a great phono stage and tubes that are run conservatively, unlike a number of manufacturers mentioned in this thread. And it’s priced reasonably considering today’s market. Use your power amp inputs on your 590 for the tube preamp and, by using the “separate” button, you can choose between the external tube preamp or the internal one on your 590 from your armchair doubling your inputs and your choice of sound character. Happy listening everyone! “ |
@agbrace Wow you have got lot of preamps. Last year I was planning to get ML523 and N534 power amp somehow it didn't work out. I assume you also have many power amps, which is your favorite power amp?
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- 125 posts total

