Does a tube preamp warm up sound of SS amp?


I'm thinking of getting a SS amp for my Mag 3.6's to get the power I think I need. Would a tube preamp sweeten and warm the sound? I'm leaning toward a Bryston B4 SST2 amp (but nothing definite yet). Any ideas for a tube preamp that might work with it? Are there any conflicts that I should look for with a tube preamp and a SS amp? Eg, impedance issues, etc? Thanks so much for your help. Laurence
ldworet

Showing 2 responses by ckoffend

Not all tube preamps will impart much if any warmth, it will depend on the preamp, the tube type and the general design and implementation.

A poster above suggested ARC, which I think are great and make some of the best preamps one can buy. However, that being said, the more current models that use the 6H30 super tubes are really anything but tubey sounding (in my opinion this is partially due to this specific tube). This is not a bad thing perse, but it should be noted that they will impart hardly any to no tubeyness in my experience (I own one FYI).

Another factor to consider is DC offset from the tubed preamp to the amp. At some point in either the amp or preamp this needs to be addressed.

CJ is more tubey, as will be some BATs (but not so much with the 6H30 tubes), Cary's are tubier as well.

My preference is the Aesthetix Calypso (owned it twice) and I still think it is one of the best tube preamps money can buy. It responds extremely well to tube rolling, which in essence gives you many different preamps - change the tubes and notably change the sound. It does not offset DC to the amp (per my conversation with Jim White).

I would put the Calypso on any list in considering tubed preamps (add 500-750 dollars for different tubes to play with). If this preamp is in your budget, I can recommend it very highly.

The Bryston, while being a good amp has a tendency to be a bit sterile in my opinion. Great company though. I would consider expanding my amp considerations. Doing so may yield more of what you are seeking via the tubed preamp approach in general, IMO.
Ldworet - in reply to your follow up regarding amps:

Others may be better able to respond to this than I. I personally don't seek warmth in my amps. I am more prone to neutral to detailed than neutral to warm (so that should be considered along with my recommendations).

That being said, looking for a "warmer" SS amp with pretty higher power, I would consider investigating the following:

McIntosh large SS amps ($$$), these are a smoother amp than I like, but I think you really are seeking smooth and not just warmth (which may be confusing to some).
The BAT 250 and higher with BatPak could be another choice, they are supposed to sound warmer (or more tubelike) that say a Krell (as an example). You can get these used at pretty reasonable prices (from what I have seen).
Pass labs newest amps, like the 160 monos (but I think these are a lot of money at the moment). But these amps are designed to operate at higher power in Class A and Nelson Pass likes that smooth (almost tube-like sound as evidenced in his Aleph series, etc. . .).

Since I don't have much useful experience with your speakers, I would suggest what others are running with them. I think their assistance should be better than mine.

I think you are better off looking for a neutral or not "cold" power amp than one that is warm. Continue the approach of pursuing the tubed pre for the warmth you are seeking. I think going with a "warm" amp and a "warm" tubed preamp may be asking for or delivering too much warmth.

Personally, I would not suggest getting into a tubed amp if you don't already have some experience with tubes. I would suggest starting with the tubed preamp and SS amp as you suggest. If after taking this approach and falling in love with the tubed preamp, you want to move to a tubed amp (knowing a bit more about tubes), then that may be a reasonable approach.

FYI - if you decide to go with a tubed preamp, tubed amp and those speakers you should know that you will have a higher maintenance system if you plan to keep it long term. This is not bad, but you should be aware of it. In that situation, every major component you own will require maintenance, just like a car. I am talking about power amp tubes (most frequent), preamp tubes (at least every 2-3 years, and that's if you don't tube roll regularly) and even the speakers in about 10 years will need replacement parts (Mag owners should chime in here as my timeframe is just an estimate. I owned Logans and figured those panels needed to be replaced more frequently than every 10 years).