2. amps-preamps
  3. 169141-150037

Do tubes matter beyond gain stage on preamp?

High end preamps such as VAC, CJ, VTL only use a couple tubes on gain stage - impacts harmonics of course.  Vs BAT and ARC who use 8.

Tube dealers confide that tubes beyond gain stage dont meaningfully impact sound, saying its what people want so its done.  









emergingsoul

Showing 2 responses by invalid

invalid
1,269 posts
 
Not sure why power supply tubes in a preamp impact harmonics?  Maybe cause it cleans up power.  If input components, eg streamer/phonostage, connected to preamp all have great power supply than preamp power tubes would seem less important.


I don't understand what the upstream equipment has to do with a tube power supply in a preamp.
 
invalid
1,269 posts
 
It depends on the topology of the preamp, as to how many tubes are used. 

More to discover