Using Double Preamplification vs X10D V3

Drmoles, actually, I tried and am presently using such a setup with great success. I kind of happened upon this combination by accident when trying out a new TAD-150 Signature preamp. I first hooked up the TAD exactly the way you described with my solid-state Parasound P/LD-2000 feeding its auxillary inputs.

It sounded quite good to me. The tube piece seemed to smooth out the sound a bit and make the midrange really lovely, and the highs and bass just perceptibly softer. Depending on the recording quality and the source, it offered a very nice effect.

Curiously, when I removed the Parasound preamp from the system and used only the TAD, the sound softened and relaxed even more and lost some of its dynamic impact. It became a little too laid back for my taste. So, I ended up putting the Parasound back into the system, feeding the TAD-150, as before, and I like it very much. My intuition says that this particular "hybrid" combination will outperform some highly touted, higher-priced preamps.

So when the conventional logic results in worse sound, sometimes you need to think unconventionally and go with what sounds best to you. :)

BTW, that's a gorgeous system you've assembled. Congrats, and Happy New Year!

I believe there is more to this phenomenon than people realize (impedance/gain matching issues, and such). As Onhwy61 says, just because it works doesn't mean it's right. But on the other hand, since it works so well, it could very well be "right." We're talking about relatively subtle differences here, not huge glaring changes, so for Onhwy61 to suggest there must be something "seriously wrong" with our systems is sheer blatant hyperbole. So I must ask, why all the drama? Is this finding that upsetting?

I find a lot of closed-minded thinking in this hobby, and it's a shame. The simple fact is that the "purist" strategy does not always yield the best (or most musical) results.

Ok, well, I am a reviewer, so there is at least one reviewer's setup that is presently using that particular arrangement. It may not be the simplest solution to the problem, but it's one that works well.

If the two preamps were actually combined together on one chassis that would be simpler and more optimum, and no-one would raise an eyebrow, not even Onhwy61.

As it is, we have two totally isolated power supplies for the respective solid-state and tube stages with the ability to fine tune the power cords and interconnects for each section, independently.

Since we are going through an extra volume control and an extra set of interconnects, the configuration is not ideal. Yet to my ears, in many ways, the combination of the two sounds better than either preamp alone. That is all I'm saying, and I'm hoping it doesn't raise your blood pressure too much.

If someone would volunteer to combine these two preamps on a single chassis for me and bypass one volume control, that would be great. But until that happens, I hope you don't mind if I enjoy the great sound I'm hearing right now.

In addition to the Z-man and Musical Fidelity tube line buffers, I will remind you that a few years ago there was another audiophile product specifically developed for this purpose, called the Harmonic Recovery System, by SCE. It got terrific reviews in many of the mags. The reviewers universally agreed that their systems sounded considerably better by adding this device (essentially a high-current, solid-state preamp) than without it.

At this point, I'd like to take the opportunity to point out that Drmoles asked for impressions from people who have tried the aforementioned solid-state/tube setup. He did not ask for advice on how to build an all-out assault on the art preamp... I believe that would be a different question.

So Tarsando, which tube preamp do you use that you think is so great, and what components make up the rest of your system...? C'mon, now, no need to be shy.

The tape outputs of the Parasound P/LD-2000 are unusual. They do not provide enough gain to drive another preamp, only the inputs of a tape deck. Also, I think it is the high current capability of the Parasound's active output stage that makes this setup work. And I have an outboard phono stage, so that's a non-issue in my case.

Onhwy61, I think you need to get out more. :)

Rwwear, I can't say that I've experimented that thouroughly with all the possible volume settings. Since both preamps have gain neither of them has to be turned up that high. I believe I have the Parasound set between 10 and 11 O'clock and the TAD ranges between 11 and 12 O'clock. It seems to work well like that. I do have to turn up the TAD a bit further when I use my turntable as opposed to the CD playback system, which has higher output. The input sensitivity of the amps and the speaker efficiency plus a few other things affect the spot on the dial where good listening volume is achieved.

I think DrMoles was alluding to the fact that many volume controls' interchannel tracking is usually more accurate at higher settings.