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Where do the tubes go?

I have so far been a solid state guy, but I am looking into another system, and I would like to give tubes a try.

1. Would most people recommend an all tube system, or do you recommend starting with only a tube component or two.

2. What are the relative merits and disadvantages of placing tubes at various stations in a system CD-->pre amp --> amp ?

For instance, I have read that some people feel that that the micro-distortion (pleasing though it may be) is excessively magnified if started at a source component then magnified through a bunch of high power solid state electronics. Others have advocated that having tubes early in your system gives the tube sound quality and allows for higher power, lower maintenance/heat solid state amplifiers.

For the tube experienced, how where should I start integrating tubes? (starting a new system so disregard concerns of mating to existing equipment).
aceofhearts

Showing 4 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Dan, that was very well said and I agree with your thoughts concerning SET amplifiers. In my experience tube power amps contribute a greater change than just going with a tube preamp(though this is not a bad choice by any means). Get a speaker that mates well with a tube ampand I believe you`ll be pleased.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I believe the talk about tube amplifier maintenance is often over stated. They are actually quite simple to own based on my ownership of various models the past 20 years. My current 300b SET amp has been utterly a piece of cake to have and is fuss free. Auto bias and just three tubes per mono block. Jump in the water`s fine.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Newbee,
We are all just sharing our individual experiences which surely will differ.
Amp- speaker match is of course a factor, but this applies to "all
amplifiers" not just tube models. Any solid state amp just can`t be
tossed into a system without some thought and consideration.Perhaps my
experience with tube amps were less problematic than yours or things
worked out differently for what ever the reason. I do agree that some
degree of research is necessary to get the right match. I however don`t
believe tube amps are some exotic beast that must be handled carfully
while SS amps have no concerns at all and just work with any speaker,
they don`t. Anyway we`re just two guys trying to be helpful with our
different perspectives, we both mean well. Sorry about your problem with
boat anchors-
high power tube amps, personally I much prefer the low and moderate
power tube amps with efficient easy to drive speakers.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Studio 1,
You raise some good points for the OP as far as distinguishing in general pentode vs triode tube amplifier options. I like many who ventured from SS amplifiers to tube amps went the route of pentode initially, (triodes came later). These are predominantly push pull and often class AB configuration. This genre offers much flexibility in price, power and many brands and models and can provide very good sound quality when executed well.

Triode specifically directly heated triode (DHT) is another niche, examples are 300b, 2A3, 45, 211, 845 etc. These are used often as SET(class A by default) but also class A push pull. These amplifiers will as a rule have lower power output but offer a different sonic presentation that some will find very natural and life like. Both categories of tube amps have their admirers. Speaker selection is a critical aspect when considering a given amplifier.

Aceofhearts, I'd recommend that you do some reading on DHT and pentode tubes and certainly listening to these different types of tube amplifiers to help determine which type will please you the most.
Charles,
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