2. amps-preamps
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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
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bimmerlover's avatar
bimmerlover OP
6 posts
 

They are GoldenEar One.Rs

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,610 posts
 

op

i trust you have seen this useful review of your speakers, where the (pretty good) reviewer uses three different amps with them, two of which are tubed... the two, a leben, represents a somewhat more classically tubey sound, and the lta amp a more modern tube sound - he is pretty articulate in his writing about how the music is presented with the different amps thru these speakers

maybe this will help further inform you in your consideration

i would say the best way (cost effective, and just plain ol effective) to experience tube sound in your system is to get a decent tube integrated... buy it used, and resell it if it doesn’t float your boat

bimmerlover's avatar
bimmerlover OP
6 posts
 

Thanks again for all the advice and recommendations. This truly is a very engaged and knowledgeable audiophile community!

So, I ended up heeding this thread’s frequent advice to start off with a tube pre-amp and found a used PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium pre-amp in great shape that I hope will serve me well.

This way I am keeping my Emotiva XDA-2 differential power amp and thus don’t have to worry about matching a tube (power/integrated) amp with my GE One.R speakers, etc., yet still allows me to play around with the (gain) tubes on the pre-amp if or as I so choose.

Thanks again for all insights and advice.

coltrane1's avatar
coltrane1
681 posts
 

I’d suggest going all in on tube, or stay away. That’s what I did. And I’m glad I did. I’ve not owned a solid state amp or preamp in well over 24 years. If you’re hesitant, expect results that are lacking. You’ve got to be committed. All in. Or not. 

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