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Tube Vs. SS Preamps

Oddly in +25 yrs in the hobby, I’ve never really owned a tube preamp. Can you comment on what the differences are in general sonic terms? I want a really fatigue free sound with lots of body (I run class A and class AB solid state amps).

Do you find SS preamps to be fatiguing typically, more so on average than tube ones? Or is it simply the added bloom that's appealing with tube preamps?

greg7

Showing 2 responses by oddiofyl

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,122 posts
 

This week I replaced my c-j Classic 2SE with a Zesto Leto preamp and the difference was not subtle.    It was staggering.   Having that component in my system has cemented my belief all along that the preamp is the most important link in the chain.  Speakers ?   Not as much ,  putting the Zesto in place made it seem like I upgraded my speakers ..... incredible sounding piece of gear.   

 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,122 posts
 

Very true, even though many products measure perfectly they all sound different.  I have three preamps in front of me.   All pretty good , they have their own character and presentation of the. music.   

From personal experience these differences are a little more pronounced with tube gear .  My newest preamp doesn't really sound like anything but I'm getting more of everything if that makes sense....

What ever flavor you like I think the preamp is the most important link in the chain as it can often be the bottleneck of a great system.

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