I don’t subscribe to the notion that you can sprinkle in some tube flavoring and get a substantial improvement in sound. The fundamental electrical component that matters most, and will determine the basic kind of sound one will have is the power amplifier. Given the wide difference in the sound of different tube amplifiers, and given that compatibility of tube amps with particular speakers is critical, it is imperative that someone investigating tube gear experience different amp/speaker combinations.
Where to insert tubes while running a Luxman SS integrated
I've recently upgraded my integrated amplifier from a Cambridge CXA81 to a Luxman l-507uxii. The Cambridge is definitely not bad for its price, but the Luxman is a different animal and is making me want to upgrade everything else in my system. Which brings me to my point of discussion: I'd like to insert tubes somewhere in my system to get some additional warmth and a more holographic soundstage. Would adding a tube preamp and running the Luxman as only a power amp be best to do this, or would it be better to get a tube dac for my digital, and separately, a tube phono stage for my vinyl?