Using a VTL 5.5 series 1 pure tube preamp and dual 120 watt monoblocks from Odyssey, with a 150 watt B&W sub running Klipsch reference speakers with a tube Jolida CD player. The bass is phenomenal, low end to the point of foundation shaking, thumbing, with very rich mid-bass. The tube preamp opens up the richness of the music. The VTL reduces the harsh CD sound, eliminates the compressed sound. Jazz bass, classical music chelo and double bass is rich full and very present whereas the solid state preamp failed misabarley. I used a Acurus preamp for years, it was quiet and clear as a bell, but sounded compressed. Solid state monoblock rock the bass huge. The owner of Odyssey said flat out that these mono blocks are made for a tube preamplifier. Man this system is so rich , just love it. It is very difficult for a system to replicate a symphony orchestra, but this system does a great in doing so.
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!