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What would you do?

I am seeking opinion on adding a single tube component in an all Solid State system. If you’ve made this transition, which one of these components gave you the best results for that warm, rich and harmonically diverse tone tubes or valves are known for, 

1) DAC

2) Preamp

3) Amp

The speakers are Tannoy’s Canterbury (96dB) paired with Accuphase E-650. I really love my current system and there is nothing lacking as E-650 offers a very sublime listening experience.  The source is Aurender N30SA and upcoming tw-acustic GT2 turntable with Reed 3P arm. 

So then, why seek out a different experience. Well, beyond the obvious distinctive sound of valves, I kinda miss tube rolling and pursuit of exotic tubes. 

Happy Holidays! 

128x128lalitk
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,622 posts
 

I just bought a modest tube pre-amp , and even a modest one can impact positively...

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,063 posts
 

Appreciate everyone’s advice so far, favoring Pre-Amp. No doubt, a good preamp is a heart of any great system. 

lwin's avatar
lwin
568 posts
 

I agree with the majority in that a tube preamp is the way to go. Even when I had good solid state amps the first time I tried a good preamp I was hooked. 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,063 posts
 

@lwin 

Thanks, despite of majority votes for preamp; I am looking into both preamp and amp options. It will take a pretty special component to de-throne E-650. 

I believe the bigger challenge is finding a component that renders the music in a balanced way, without focusing on any specific sound orientation. Some of the high-end audio gear pinpoint particular attributes and highlight only a portion of something special. 

larsman's avatar
larsman
1,752 posts
 

In my own system, I've got tube line stage and phono preamps, and solid-state power amp; that works well for me.... 

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