Tube Preamp: How many tubes does it take to .................

It also matters if one is looking to have opportunities to work with the sonic through Tube Rolling.

I know a few individuals who have done this with their Pre-Amps and Pre-Stages on their Power Amp's.

Less is more in this subject area as a Amp' using only a couple of Tubes, is much easier as a preparation task, to attain matched tubes from which era is selected for the tubes production.

Transfer that same preparation to Multi Tube devices and options become diminished quite quickly, unless substantial sums are to be parted with for certain era's of production and follow up testing of supplied tubes is used to identify the measured accuracy of the matches.

It is doable, I am sure I know one person who has 6 x 1960's Vintage ECC 83's in their Amps Pre-Stage.   

In relation to matching tubes, it certainly is a Horses for Courses subject.

Unfortunately the right horse is not found until tried in the race, pretty much the same for a Tube Roll experience. 

I have had a supply of Brand New Tubes, that when tested, the equipment owner made known immediately one Tube will produce sound, but is with a fault. It was an unknown how such a fault could impact on a circuit, which resulted in the suggestion not to use the tube.

How many individuals are putting New Tubes into their equipment not knowing how it measures on receipt to them, and prior to be put into service.

I have had tube equipment for more than two decades, I have developed my own disciplines, maybe a little cautious, but through careful practices, there is a plan for the usage, that has prevented the worst type of the associated stories occurring so far.   

When it comes to transparency being perceived as a sonic trait from a Pre-Amp, I am very familiar with a model, that supplies this perception in a manner that is extremely impressive. The component responsible for this perception is the Korg Nutube

The Korg Nutube assuming the the role of a Triode in the circuit is something to be experienced.

I would suggest, if a line up of transparent Amp's were side by side compared, the model with a Korg Nutube as part of the circuit, will be a real contender for top place, as it has other very desirable sonic traits that work very well in conjunction with its transparency. 

A friend who is building Pre- Amp's using the Korg Nutube, has recently been at Hi End Munich 2023.

There was, in their and an accompanying individuals opinion, not any Pre's witnessed during demo's attended, that delivered transparency in the manner the Pre-Amp produced with a Korg Nutube can.