@celtic66, the poor performance with a tubed preamp could be from mismatched impedance, either high output impedance out of preamp, or low input impedance on the active speakers? A SS pre almost always has a low output impedance and that just might be a much better synergy to the active speakers?
New game with active speakers
Been at this audiophile game for some decades and felt I had a handle on most parameters, until active speakers. I’ve been a tube guy for years since leaving my Sugden Class A integrated: Manley stuff and the latest, a deHavilland Mercury 3 preamp. Now I find that active speakers do not necessarily like tubes. At least mine don’t.
Decided to send my deHavilland in for upgrades and went to using the preamp section of my Sugden A21SE. Wow! Better in every way. How is that? More dynamic, better attack. Now I have an ATC CA2 preamp to drive the ATC 40As and the synergism is terrific!
A dealer of ATC speakers echoed the observation. He stated he too was for years a tube guy, until active speakers. Now I’m back to solid state after years of sneering at those clots still mired in SS. Those neophytes, Philistines. Oh, how humbling.
Decided to send my deHavilland in for upgrades and went to using the preamp section of my Sugden A21SE. Wow! Better in every way. How is that? More dynamic, better attack. Now I have an ATC CA2 preamp to drive the ATC 40As and the synergism is terrific!
A dealer of ATC speakers echoed the observation. He stated he too was for years a tube guy, until active speakers. Now I’m back to solid state after years of sneering at those clots still mired in SS. Those neophytes, Philistines. Oh, how humbling.