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Going Tubing

Greetings!

I would like to introduce some tubes into my two channel set up.

I currently have a solid-state preamp and a solid-state power amp. (And a separate, hybrid tube phono stage.)

I am wondering, conceptually, staying with separates, if it would be better to switch the preamp to a tube preamp, or if it’s better to change the power ramp to a tube power amp. With “better” in this case I mean would have bigger impact on, for a lack of a better description, “tube sound.”

(I realize there are other considerations, such as having enough power to drive my speakers, but here I’m talking about conceptually, which part of these two audio chain components would have the most impact on the sound if switching one of them from ss to tube.)

128x128bimmerlover
jlbkmb1958
9 posts
 

Currently using an Icon tube phono amp with an Icon integrated tube amp (quad KT88). Very good for the price. 

jchiappinelli's avatar
jchiappinelli
116 posts
 

I run my Triton R1's with a pair of 20 year old Cary Audio Six Pac mono blocks and  a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium preamp. Sound is superb! The 92 db sensitivity and the powered 1600 w subs enclosed in the Tritons makes the Six Pacs 50 w output more than enough. I'll occasionally switch in my  Classe Audio Model Fifteen SS amp for more casual listening.

J.Chip

signaforce's avatar
signaforce
139 posts
 

I am actually surprised almost everyone is talking hardware. I have found the tubes selected have a SIGNIFICANT impact on sound. I have NOS Telefunken medical, NOS Siemens nickel plate & NOS Brimar CV4003 I roll in my Rogue preamp. The Tele’s are very forward, Siemens bright & airy, Brimar’s warm. 
I would recommend a tube pre, but tube selection will significantly influence your sound regardless of HW, IMHO. Fun changing your sound with (relatively) small tube investments. 

immatthewj
1,279 posts
 

I am actually surprised almost everyone is talking hardware. I have found the tubes selected have a SIGNIFICANT impact on sound.

Sure, but OP probably needs the gear to put the tubes into before ge goes shopping for different tubes.

bimmerlover's avatar
bimmerlover OP
12 posts
 

Many thanks to the many answers and insights shared. There’s a lot to distill and there are of course one hundred and one different directions one can go, based on integrated vs. separates, what matches/is able to drive my GE One.R:s and, not least, budget.

I currently have the Emotiva Xda-3 preamp and the Emotiva XPA-DR2 power amp.

From what I have been able to gather so far, it may make sense to stick with the power amp (550 watts RMS into 8 Ohms, at <0.1% THD. 800 watts RMS into 4 Ohms at <0.1% THD) as then I don’t have to worry about matching the tube amp to my speakers (nor needing the tube power amp budget…) but to shoot for a tube preamp. It’ll be fed, as is the Xda-3 today, from a Rega P8 with a MC through a Vincent PHO-701 hybrid phono pre and by a Cambridge Audio CXN 100 network streamer/dac.

So I need at least two inputs, preferably at least one being balanced (from the CXN), preferably 1-2 more.

I would say my tube preamp budget is $2000 (+/-), and I don’t mind a used one if it’s in great shape and good value.

Suggestions for which preamp with nice price/performance and feeling the ss power amp would be much appreciated, given the above aspects I need to consider.

Thanks!

 

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