I’ve had terrible luck trying to get anything resembling music when pairing Class D amps to my tube preamp. I tried the PS Audio M700 monoblocks and the Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra. The M700 monoblocks sounded so dry and brittle I literally felt repulsed after listening to it, I couldn’t sell that thing fast enough. The Starkrimson was a definite step up in clarity...but was not to my taste. Admittedly I prefer the sound of tubes as I like bit of coloration. I dont like dark, dry or neutral sounding gear. But I haven’t given up. Excited to try Atma-Sphere Class D amps and the AGD Audio MKIII. I have a feeling they might change my mind.
Tube Pre/ Class D Amp - Who has done it?
Open forum for those who have actually tried this. Really curious to know who has been happy, or maybe unhappy, with a tube preamp driving a Class D amplifier?
Of course, tube pre with a solid state amp is a classic pairing for hard to drive speakers, especially ESL's. This is a little different. I'm really curious to know what pres and Class D amps have had great synergy.
Showing 2 responses by alexbpm
@ghdprentice I've gone through most permutations of Pass Labs amps, Coda amps, and Audio Note integrated amps (SOTO SE and Cobra being my favorite). Current reference is an LTA Microzotl Level 2 preamp as a reference McGary SA1E tube amp. Before that I had a Supratek Cabernet. I use Class D Audio amps in my secondary theater system and even listen to music on them on occasion. I preferred them over the PS Audio M700 which as I stated earlier I greatly disliked. I've had the opportunity to demo the AGD Audion MKIII at Axpona over the course of a couple days and I loved them, but I need to try it in my space first. |