2. amps-preamps
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What is a better route, tube or SS preamp?

Hi everyone! I recently unloaded all of my home theatre gear, and am concentrating on a 2 channel stereo system. So far I have a shanling cd-80, a naim 150 amp, Martin logan aerius loudspeakers, and a carver ct-17 preamp. I'm looking to replace the preamp, however, I'm not sure wether I should go solid state or tube. I know I need to demo some of both, but I wanted some opinions or if anyone has prior experience in this matter. Right now my amp is a SS and my cd has tube output. Everything sounds pretty good, but I want it to sound great!
Also, I will mostly be listening to a lot of hard rock and heavy metal, but also a lot of classic rock as well..
Lastly, I am aware of the amp input impedance and preamp output impedance ratio for both tube and SS. Is there anything else I should consider when pairing an amp and preamp?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks everyone!
bstevens

Showing 1 response by syntax

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syntax
2,193 posts
 
Everything sounds pretty good, but I want it to sound great!

In a way it will depend on the genius of the Designer (they are all genius, but there are differences ), there are good examples for one or the other design out there.
But, at the end of day, when a signal goes through the vacuum of a tube, something happens, no transistor can do. Most lifelike reproduction I heard were based on tube preamps.
Tube Design has a lot of differences, I would look for a design which is soft on tubes (some designs burn them really down), reliable, silent and pure in tone. In a way, a good reason to travel around to learn ....
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