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Sound of transformers in preamps?

Many of the highest rated preamps around seem to have transformers in the audio chain. The Dude and Coincident tube preamps seem to kick ass when compared to other tube amps and the solid state McCormack VRE-1 is sometimes considered to be the best too. All of these preamps are said to have transformers. Is there a sonic difference with the transformers? What is the subjective difference?
rsimms

Showing 4 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,234 posts
 
Sksos1,
Some of the very best natural sounding preamps available use interstage and or input transformers.It will always be about designer talent,implementation and quality of parts selected.Those designers if they were incline to do so could come here and give very valid reasons why they reject the signal capacitor approach.Either method can be quite good with a talented builder.Any and all decisions concerning sound reproduction have some level of trade offs.
Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,234 posts
 
Sksos1,
I have an admiitted bias for tube components but I`ve heard only high praise when the VRE is mentioned(I have`nt heard it).The most musically natural sounding SS power amp I`ve heard(so far) is the Silicon Arts zl-120 built by Masakada Tsuda(Concert Fidelity).Despite the many different amps I`ve listened to,at the end of the day give me a good SET amp.
Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,234 posts
 
Meant to type Masataka Tsuda designer and owner Silicon Arts.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,234 posts
 
The VAC Sginature MK II is one of the best sounding preamps I`ve ever heard. Theory aside,it`s always what you "hear" that matters in the end.
Regards,
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