2. amps-preamps
  3. 1268594670

tutube or not tutube

I'm a little frightened (not really, just kidding). I asked a question a while back about what would be a good pre to go with my Rotel RB1090 SS Amp and my B&W Nautilus 805's (with the expectation of moving back to Nautilus 802's or close in the next year or 2). Most of the responses were in the tube area and I really appreciated the info. But as I look more into this I feel a little overwhelmed about dealing with tubes. It seems like there's so much to know and so much to be careful about. I know a lot of you are hard core hobbyists when it comes to this stuff and I'd like to be too but it's just not practical for me right now. The things that make me nervous are: how old are the tubes on the unit I might buy? How long will they last? If I have to replace them is it going to cost me a bundle and with all the tubes there are out there how am I sure I'm getting good ones? How much does varying the tubes affect the sound? I'm guessing that some of you have various sets of tubes that you change out depending on the type of music you're listening to. I read a little bit about dampeners too and that seems like a whole science in itself. All of this sounds fun if you have the time, money and patience for it. Can one go tube without being so paranoid about all the possible complications? Am I better off just going with something like the Krell krc-hr that's on here right now? Seems like quite a bargain even though it's probably over 10 years old (but so is most of my equipment). When I do this, I'll probably have about a $2k limit. And at some point may choose to replace my amp as I slowly upgrade things so I'd want to keep that in mind as well. Anyway, I'm don't mean to sound like I'm asking the same question over again. I'm not doing that. I'm just trying to figure out if I'd really be overwhelmed by going tube or if it would really be a satisfying change.
udo
rleff
1,065 posts
 
I don't think you need to really panic about making a move into tubes;I was a solid state guy as well then moved into tubes using some of the advice already mentioned;I also bought a used tube tester and it did not break the bank as well.Tube rolling is not that hard as you can always ask for advice in these columns as you did and you will get very solid advice from the members and manufactures who respond to questions as well.
Price wise you will encounter the full gambit of $$$ and you will need to do some research if you want to take the dive.Leaving tubed equipment on or off I think is a personal choice as you will hear people who leave on 24/7 and ones who power off;I have a standby position on my gear and lets me keep it powered up,this is a option that may want to consider as well.
Do you have any gear already in mind?Tell us about your room,what you like to listen to, and what sound are you looking for moving into tubes.
Post removed 
nicotico
187 posts
 
I second Elizabeth's post. I have an ARC SP-16, which has six tubes. Before I bought this pre-amp, I had the same concerns as Udo. But Audio Research makes it a no-brainer. I've had the SP-16 for 5 years now, and have just reached the end of the tube life. (I use my pre-amp for music and movies, but I turn it off when not in use.) I recently ordered replacement tubes from ARC, and although you pay a premium by ordering the replacement tubes from them, you have some assurance that you are getting quality as they test all their tubes prior to shipping. Replacement tubes were labeled "SP-16." How easy is that? The next pre-amp in their line (the SP-17) only has two tubes, which makes things even simpler.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Tube managment and worry is simply much less of a concern than dealing with them in an amp (that too can be managed). The only issue you do need to be sure of is that the output impedance is a good match with the input impedance of your SS amp. You want the ratio of amp to pre impedances to be at least 10 to 1, but the bigger the ratio the better. So if you have a tube pre with a 1,500ohm out put impedance you want at least 15kohm input impedance (must tube amps have 100kohm so it is almost never an issue).
vman71
218 posts
 
Udo - You’re complicating things way too much. For example, I bought a used tube preamp (Tube Technology Seer) a couple of years ago. I’ve never replaced the pair of 12ax7’s it has in it. Even if I needed to, it’s pretty simple and straight forward. 12ax7’s are a very available/common tube and can be had for cheap to very expensive.

I’m sure that my Tube Technology Seer tube preamp is one of many products out there that are simple and straight forward and allow a person to enjoy tubes without a lot of headaches, maintenance, or tweaking.

To your last point “Whether or not it would really be a satisfying change,” only your ears can determine that, don’t solely rely on what others have said or experienced in their systems.
More to discover