I use a vintage tube pre-amp (Audio Research LS2 MKII B) with vintage Sumo Andromeda behemoth amps in a bi-amp setup. I have used and both tried both tube and SS pre-amps before and since and the old king has has never loosened his grip on the throne. The thing to remember is that your sound will never be better than the tubes you are using, and vintage is generally much better quality and sound. Of course finding real new old stock tubes (NOS) can be a challenge, not all sellers are trust worthy. As an example a NOS Siemens and Halske Cca 6922 grey plate used to mean a brand new unused tube in the original box. Over time the meaning of NOS as it pertains to this tube changed to mean anything that still tested as OK regardless of how many hours it had been used. Every tube sound different.... have fun.
Tube Preamp with Solid State Amp?
Greetings!
I’ve seen some folks using Tube Preamps with Solid State Am ps. I’m thinking of doing that with my system as part of an incremental change. I currently have a Parasound P5 preamp with a Parasound A21 driving Klipsch Cornwall 4’s. Will a decent / good Tube Preamp really make a difference in my sound? I enjoy what I have now but really want to experience Tubes in my system. Thanks!
I’ve seen some folks using Tube Preamps with Solid State Am ps. I’m thinking of doing that with my system as part of an incremental change. I currently have a Parasound P5 preamp with a Parasound A21 driving Klipsch Cornwall 4’s. Will a decent / good Tube Preamp really make a difference in my sound? I enjoy what I have now but really want to experience Tubes in my system. Thanks!