2. amps-preamps
  3. 161686-150037

Hi end tube preamps, it’s all about functionality!!

So most preamps over $10 grand all sound very good.  But functionality varies widely and a challenge to readily figure out.


some remotes don’t turn on unit,  some leave tubes on while watching tv/movies assuming they have ht bypass functionality,  some turn off avr when change is made to stereo listening (McIntosh), some use 3 tubes and some use 8 tubes, volume control process differences, power supply being external or internal, and many more feature variations.


it is a mess.  The marketplace over time will make a buying decision abit easier as brands soon learn that the avr/stereo integration is a very important market and ease of use along with running costs need to be considered more carefully.
emergingsoul

Showing 3 responses by decooney

decooney
2,358 posts
 
Few people with "high end tube preamps" want a noisy TV/Cable system hooked to their 2-channel audio system used for listening to music. And, no, it’s all about "sound" quality first for audiophiles. Functionality is secondary.

Circuit boards and all the processing and switching used in AVR integrated units is something most folks here will avoid at all costs. Less in the circuit is more for music audiophiles. More is just more for audio-video fans who love gadgets, and remote controls with 100 button functions.

You’d have better luck and get sympathy over on the avsforum, better to go here instead: https://www.avsforum.com/forums/


decooney
2,358 posts
 
These two types of consumers are a contradiction to each other.

One wants low noise, the other adds noise and ruins the music.

Been there and done that with expensive high end integrated preamp-processors used for two channel audio and hi-fi home theater. Adding a "direct" bypass button just adds more junk in the circuitry, noise. A well known audio company who started with 2ch audio eventually went out of business trying to keep both types of customers happy, software and firmware upgrades, bleh.  

Buy a sound bar, be done. 


decooney
2,358 posts
 
Because it sounds better.  
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