I've had no problem obtaining a rich, tube-like sound by using a Conrad Johnson PV-5 (heavily modified)tube preamp with a Belles 350A solid-state amp (not Reference). Mitch2 and others are right to bring the impedance matching info to your attention, heed them. I feel ( and its only my opinion) that the Belles amp has tube-like qualities, it's not analytical or edgy-sounding, and brings very good bass oomph to the otherwise rolled off bass qualities of the CJ preamp. The reason for the good bass is most likely the high damping factor of the Belles amp,but I'm sure there are other factors at play here, such as choice of cables and source components. The tube preamp with solid state amp combo may not give you 100% of the tube sound youre used to, but with prudent system matching, it can get very close......good luck in your search!--Mrmitch
tube pre amp plus solid state power amps?
HI there,
My systems have always been tube system all the way through phon stage + pre amp+ power amps, but recently I got a little tire of maintenance of these amps and thought about changing power amps to solid state. I listen classical music. I always love tube amp particular from my LP collection. I am worrying about using solid state power amp will loose the texture of the sound that I like. However, I have done a little reading, some one said high end power amps will keep that sound, especially something like McCormack DNA-500 and Claytons amps. There are some writing confuse me, such as: βit is not important to use tube phon stage, solid state will be better.β I even read the statement says: pre amp is the least important of the whole audio chain.β
Well, what I am thinking about is keep tube system for both my phon stage and pre amp, use solid state for power amps replace tube system. Does anyone can tell me this will be a good change, or I need either whole system on tubes or on solid state?
Thanks
My systems have always been tube system all the way through phon stage + pre amp+ power amps, but recently I got a little tire of maintenance of these amps and thought about changing power amps to solid state. I listen classical music. I always love tube amp particular from my LP collection. I am worrying about using solid state power amp will loose the texture of the sound that I like. However, I have done a little reading, some one said high end power amps will keep that sound, especially something like McCormack DNA-500 and Claytons amps. There are some writing confuse me, such as: βit is not important to use tube phon stage, solid state will be better.β I even read the statement says: pre amp is the least important of the whole audio chain.β
Well, what I am thinking about is keep tube system for both my phon stage and pre amp, use solid state for power amps replace tube system. Does anyone can tell me this will be a good change, or I need either whole system on tubes or on solid state?
Thanks