Tubed Pre question?

I agree with Tpsonic, all tube is the way to go, assuming your speakers are up to the task. I've used many different combo's in the last 30 years or so, I would say that for the most part I went tube preamp/ SS amp. However, after diving into the tube preamp/ tube amp camp a couple of years ago, I can't see myself going backwards.

Of course, I also prefer vinyl to digital.....so I may be the crazy one.

Cheers,
John

I'm in Tgrisham's camp for the most practical solution for most people..

There is no right answer but I think tube pre and good SS amp can deliver all the goods in more applications more cost effectively and more reliably over time than can all tubes.

All tubes will cost more and have more limited application depending on speakers and will also probably require more maintenance over time than many might be comfortable with.

A few carefully placed tubes is a cheaper and easier way to go.

Not to say that some of the best sounding systems out there may well be all tube systems.

It depends on your speakers as well... With my Dynaudio Special 25's I prefer a McIntosh SS (MC402) amp with my AI mod3b, for the speed and impact. With my Green Mountain Eurpoa Max I prefer an all tube setup. ANd from what I found some tube preamps (i.e. Conrad Johnson) sound best in an all tube rig.

BTW MY musical taste is similar to yours... keep on truck'n

Tony

One point that has not been mentioned, but which you may want to consider, is SS amp design. Some designs produce brittle or hard highs, while others have a smoother roll-off and fatter midrange. In the case of McCormack's DNA-1 amp design, harmonic and subharmonic distortion mirror in many respects that found in tube amps. As observed by John Atkinson in Stereophile's review of the DNA-1:

While the DNA-1 does have some upper partials present, these are not isolated but are accompanied by the lower partials in an almost regular descending series. This is typical of tube amplifier performance, tending to sound smooth and "fat" rather than grainy.

Also, J.Peter Moncrieff in IAR-80 stated much the same about the McCormack's DNA-500 design:

Some other solid state amps evince a diamond hard, clinically sterile sound, which calls attention to itself as seemingly clean and pure. But this hard, sterile sound can actually be a symptom of expansive odd order distortion, a common problem with some solid state circuits (in contrast, some other solid state circuits and most tube circuits tend to have compressive odd order distortion which sounds different, usually soft and grundgy). The DNA-500 sounds like clean real music, and you can't ask for more than that. There's no hint of the hard sterility that plagues many other solid state amps.

I have a tubed pre and an upgraded DNA-1 Deluxe so that I can take advantage of the strengths of tubes and SS.

01-27-09: Mapman
There is no right answer but I think tube pre and good SS amp can deliver all the goods in more applications more cost effectively and more reliably over time than can all tubes.

All tubes will cost more and have more limited application depending on speakers and will also probably require more maintenance over time than many might be comfortable with.

A few carefully placed tubes is a cheaper and easier way to go.

Not to say that some of the best sounding systems out there may well be all tube systems.

While I cannot disagree with Mapman, as far as reliability goes, SS is the king, if that is your primary concern. For more years than I care to remember, I went with the tube preamp/ SS amp camp, and while it was very nice, I now realize that NO SS amp, no matter how 'tube-like' the claims, can stand up to a tube amp. In fact, if I could go back in time, I'd say the tube amp gives you more of the 'tube flavor' than the tube preamp, and recommend a SS preamp/tube amp over a tube preamp/SS amp.

I've been using tube preamps for many years, and I have had a couple of tubes go bad. I have only been using tube preamps/tube amps for a couple of years now, and I have not had a bad tube yet......knock wood, though I have modified the sound as much, if not more so than cables by switching tubes (more so in the preamp, but also definitely in the amp).

Yes, I fully agree that SS is more reliable for preamps, amps, CDP's and DAC's, however, the musicality of tubes is sooooo much better, IMHO. Add the fun of tube rolling (you cannot change the way a SS preamp/amp, etc sounds) and I cannot see myself going back to SS unless I become broke and/or deaf.

I should also state though, that I do seem to prefer SS phono preamps over tube phono stages. I do believe that the best I have heard is a SS phono preamp/tube preamp/ tube amp. Also, if you have very difficult to drive speakers, you may be better with a SS amp.

FWIW, I'd change speakers.

Cheers,
John