2. amps-preamps
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Solid state power + tube pre or visa versa?

Over the decades I've run solid state preamps with tube power amps and the other way around without being able to say which combination is necessarily always going to be better. I'm about to replace an entire system lost on a flood and find myself wondering at a recommendation that the combination of solid state preamp with tube power amp is ALWAYS better. Wanting to reduce my shortlist of potential amps I wonder if anyone has has a theory as to why these claims are made, a scientific one that is.
At the moment my short list is headed by the same Leban preamp I lost with a pair of bi-amped solid state power amps. Any thoughts?
Speakers are yet to be considered - I know - I should audition them first then choose amplification . All I know for sure is they WONT be horn loaded and highly efficient. Something like the top KEF's reference series maybe.
dismord

Showing 8 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
For the kefs ss amp for sure.

Speakers will determine which power amp works best. That's the second thing to get right. 1st is speakers that work well in the room. It's that simple.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
"When is the last time you have seen a hybrid integrated with the power amp section tubes and the preamp section solid state?"

That's a good point.

One common scenario where tube pre-amp and SS amp might not work as well as possible is when SS amp has low input impedance, say under 40-60Kohm. Part of putting together an effective combo is to make sure to get this right.

With SS pre-amp and tube amp that issue will not arise however now one must be particualrly careful about choice of speakers to provide an "easy load" for teh tube amp to drive.

GEt those two things right and either way should work out well.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
SS pre-amp with tube power amp can work on paper but probably least desirable and relatively uncommon.

Most that want a tube power amp (higher maintenance and TCO) will also likely want a tube pre-amp (which does not add much if any downside at that point).

Probably no need to think about tube stages in any source devices as well in any case once in place somewhere upstream.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
I am a tube pre-amp/Class D power amp fan myself and use that in my main system.

I recently added a digital Class D integrated amp to my second system just to see how that might do in comparison and have been fairly pleased though the two sound significantly different. I could probably live with either sound alone if I had to.

I would also consider downsizing to a hybrid integrated like Rogue Pharoah or Sphinx as well if I had to.

Class D amps is SS but a totally different ballgame than Class A/B or even Class A and should hold a lot of appeal for many.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
The op can seize any moment he chooses really. He's asking the right questions to help decide.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
In that there are many combos of tube and SS that can work out quite well, as OP has exprienced first hand and has been re-iterated here, the key to to decide where to start and just do it right from there. Some will build their system around a tube amp. Some will build around particular speakers. Doesn't really matter as well as done properly with a plan to help assure things work together optimally.

You can even build around a particualr pre-amp. Does not matter as long as all teh pieces of teh puzzle fit together in the end including most importantly (IMHO) how teh speaker will perform in teh target room.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
I think he got good advice in this thread in response to his question that should help whatever way he might choose..
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,846 posts
 
"High Fidelity" does not mean the results are pleasant, only accurate.

A high fidelity image of Medusa is the ugliest of all.

Though in a lot of modern depictions of Madusa, she is actually kinda hot! Must be photo shopped....
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