SS preamp with tube amp

I toying with the idea of using my Esoteric integrated as a preamp to pair up with a tube amp. I'm wondering if I will get the "tube sound" with this set up.

greginnh03-05-2017 12:42am

Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 11,662 posts 03-07-2017 at 07:34pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete If you got that Mac a good price, hold out for a good tube preamp at a good price and then see what you think!
atmasphere Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 11,662 posts 03-06-2017 at 08:36pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete IME transistors don't do the low level detail thing as well as tubes. Fast yes, but low level detail, no. So I figure tubes in the front end and a solid state amp if you have to have solid state. The idea there is if the signal source gets messed up early on, no good quality of amp and speaker can recover the lost detail downstream. YMMV on account of not all tube preamps and solid state preamps are exactly the same in fact they are pretty well all different. So like many things in audio this is a suggestion not a rule. Listen and see.

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