2. amps-preamps
  3. 1144320689

Tube pre- or amp: does it matter?

Hi,

I'm considering introducing a tube component into my system (Cary 306/200, Placette pre, Macintosh 300, Gallo 3.1) to bring out a little more depth, staging and musicality. I'm willing to start from scratch with both the pre and amp. If I were to balance tube and ss, is there a rule of thumb about whether it's better to have a tube for pre or a tube for amp? All things being equal (which they seldom are) would one make a bigger difference in sound than the other? In my electronic ignorance, I'm wondering if there might be something about whether the tube is closer to your source or closer to your speakers. (Of course, I may end up with tube for both.)

Thanks for any help,
Bob
holderlin

Showing 1 response by bblilikoi

bblilikoi's avatar
bblilikoi
99 posts
 
Holderin,

What preamp choice did you ultimately make and how are you liking it? I've just gone and done nearly the same thing as you--bought a tube amp (Air Tight ATM-2) on impulse ahead of choosing a preamp. Now, I'm shopping for a preamp and looking at these--Air Tight ATC-3, Herron VTSP-1, Modwright SWL 9.0 SE, Supratek Chardonnay, Acoustic Masterpiece C101, and EAR 834L. I'd have the Cary SWL 98 in there too, but I already have a Cary intergrated system that gives me a warm, "romantic" sound and I'm assembling this 2nd system for, theoretically, a more linear, transparent, and balanced presentation.
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