Solid state phono/linestage vs Tubes


I have had different combinations of phono stages and line preamps, but have never had a full combination of solid state. Currently I have an Aesthetix Calypso and a Rhea Signature feeding into a couple of Krell EV-600's. I prefer a warmer sound and have always believed tubes were the avenue to that sound. With tubes, there's a certain amount of tube rush, but because I mainly listen to progressive jazz and older rock, I don't need a "dead quite" system, and once the music starts, the tube rush is masked. I have a Theta Casablanca with supreme boards just sitting around and am going to run the Rhea through the Theta, but I think I will still get the tube rush sound from the Rhea. There's also the problem of incompatibility with Theta remote sensors and Aesthetix remotes. (admittedly once the Rhea is set, there is no reason to need the remote and the Rhea remote sensor can be masked) I know with classical music, one prefers the dead quite, because there are so many passages that require absolutely no floor noise. Anyway, I'm asking for recommendations for a solid state phono stage and line stage under 10K.
My front end is a Scoutmaster with either a Dynavector DRT XV-1S, or a Urishi Black Cart; speakers are Wilson Maxx II's.
handymann

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

The Manley phono stages have a semiconductor input and are not true all-tube phono sections.
A tube phono section can be just as quiet as a solid state phono section if a stepup transformer is used.

The advantage of a good tube phono section is that you can have a lot less ticks and pops if it is properly designed (this is a function of high frequency stability in the phono section design; if unstable it can exacerbate ticks and pops that you would otherwise not hear, and has nothing to do with bandwidth).
There are tube preamps that accept the phono cartridge as a balanced source using XLR connections.

A nice advantage of that is the cable no longer plays a sonic role in the sound of the system. That's what the balanced line system is for after all...