2. amps-preamps
  3. 174820-18279

Are you pairing Tube Preamp/Line Stage with Class D Power Amp?

If yes, what have you liked? I'm curious about other Class D amps now that I found one I like. I have a Marantz Ruby integrated. I put it in Power Amp mode and plopped a wonderful Doge Audio Clarity Preamp in front of it.  

The tube pre really opened up the soundstage further--great combo.  

I'm wondering about moving the Ruby to a second system and finding a different Class D or SS amp.  

PS There was a similar thread from 2019 but it only registered a handful of responses.  Maybe more folks have come around to Class D and have played with putting tubes in front of one. 

128x128jbhiller
tweak1
3,561 posts
 

FWIW: My experience with class D goes back to PS audio GCC 250, which I still use in my video system, but in my 2 channel audio Ive had several W4S, Emerald Physics 100.2SEs, Audio Alchemy DPA-1 (excellent sound but I need a lot power in my room), PSA M700s (also sounded nice), EVS 1200 which I raved about for a year UNTIL it was replaced with a LSA Voyager 350 GaN amp, which is roughly half the power, but twice as room filling/coupling in my large room. From this experience IMO, GaN is so superior (at least when done right) to conventional class D that it SHOULD have a separate designation. Switching Speed is the juice

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 

not yet but i may, and put yet another set of tubes in front of the amp by going hybrid.  

according to paul mcgowan of PS audio fame tubes sound best at the input section of the amplifier.  

to get this in Class D form means the Rogue Audio Dragon or Medusa.  I am aware of no others.  

The PS Audio BHK amps also have tubes on the input stage but it is not class D. 

Obviously off from the OPs original question yet it may prove a nice combo to pair a quality tube preamp with a class D amp also with input stage tubes.

aolmrd1241
1,023 posts
 

Cavanti1960...The PS Audio M1200 class d monos use a vacuum tube input...

OP....In the past I paired a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium tube preamp with a pair of Merrill Audio Veritas class d monoblock amps with great results... The tubes mellow some of the hyper detail that class d is known for.

yoby
538 posts
 

A pair of modified Nuforce 9SE V3 amps with a modified Dehavilland Mercury II preamp are in use over here. The best of both worlds. I tried going direct to the amps from my DAC, but lost the magic and musicality.

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