TubeHiFiNut

It would be tempting, but I doubt I'd sell mine for $1k.

And one of my favorite speakers of all time.

So we are just talking about clipping? Any amp kept below clipping is considered linear? That is the definition on which this discussion is based?

Fair enough, I will take you at your word. Still wondering if I can get your comments regarding your definition of linearity? Are we talking about %IM? %THD (with further detail regarding odd order vs even order and the % of each)? Transfer function? Something else? I am sincerely trying to understand the parameters you used when making your comments regarding "linear amplifiers". Thank you.

I always try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and sincerely hope that @ODS123 is not just "trolling". Not exactly sure why he has chosen to ignore my questions regarding his definition of "linearity"? I think it's important, when discussing any topic, to define your terms and properly frame the discussion. Otherwise, it's all just a bunch of noise. Just my opinion.

Did I miss your answer to my previous inquiry regarding your definition of linearity? Time domain? Frequency domain? Transfer function?

I appreciate the thought, but not required.

Been a vinyl addict since the early 1970s. In my opinion, running the tracking force close to maximum is better than trying to run too light. You want the stylus firmly seated in the groove. Mistracking will cause far more record wear than running your tracking force at the maximum suggested by the manufacturer. Sounds like your records have been with you for years. Cleaning them properly should make a very noticeable difference - less noise, less "hash" in the highs. If you do not have a record cleaning machine, you can wash them by hand (being VERY careful to keep the labels dry) and use a dish rack to dry. There are many articles, posts and videos out there detailing the "how to" of washing records by hand. After a good wet cleaning, using a good record brush that gets down in the grooves before each play will knock the loose dust out of the way. You have already discovered the benefits of a clean stylus so no need to go over that. With a little care, you should get great enjoyment out of your vinyl set-up.

Perhaps because the tube amp sounds better?

Linear is an interesting term. First off, I am not an EE. From what I have read, and been told by my EE friends, the vacuum tube is a more linear amplification device than the transistor. Also, when you talk about distortion, the specifics are important: %IM, %THD (even order vs odd order). So, for my edification, please clarify: When you use the term "linear" are you talking frequency domain, time domain, transfer function, something else? Thank you.

@ODS123 - The difference is that you presume to tell newbies how they should approach our hobby. That your way is the "correct" way. In my opinion, new folks need to explore what our hobby has to offer and gain experience so that they can decide what matters to them - not you, not me. I can only offer what has worked, and not worked, for me in the 47 years that I have been an audio hobbyist. That may, or may not work for a newbie as each person must identify their priorities. Just my opinion.

The only way you will know if the cables work in your system is to try them in your system and evaluate the sonic results with your own ears. I have listened to very expensive interconnects and speaker cables, cheap interconnects and speaker cables and everything in between. To my ears, in my preferred systems, I have found that the very reasonably priced Belden 8402 (shielded 2-conductor) with Switchcraft RCAs and Canare L5-CFB (75 ohm coaxial) with Canare RCAs interconnects and Dueland 12ga speaker wire work great with my SE amps and HE speakers based systems. All use tinned conductors. This combination has outperformed some very high priced stuff in my systems. It also sounds much more like music than the cheap generic stuff. This is just my opinion and YMMV.

+1 for the Saga using the 6SN7 buffer. Very transparent. Easy to integrate into your system due to the low output impedance of the tube buffer. Plus you get a remote. At $350, the Saga has to be one of the best audio buys out there. Just my opinion.

Very much agree with this post. Well put, @Tizman

To all of you who select your gear based on ABX/DBT testing: Good luck. Have fun. Enjoy the system you assemble based on ABX/DBT. Personally, I will continue to use the Observational method that I have used with great success for 47 years because I know it works for me. The best thing I can do for a newbie is to teach them how to trust their own ears while observing subtle differences in the sound of audio gear. Just my opinion.

Very nice review. Included in my various electronics are Quicksilver SET300B and original 8417 Monoblocks (updated by Mike Sanders to run EL34 tubes), Phono Preamp, Line Stage Preamp and MC SUT (which is excellent with my preferred Denon DL103 LOMC). A longtime friend has been running the Quicksilver Integrated for some time. His comments very much agree with the OP.

The Schiit Saga is a full passive preamp with a tube buffer to lower the output impedance. I've used mine (with 6SN7 tube buffer) as the system preamp in both the main and living room systems and it performs very well. I went to a TVC based on S&B transformers in the main system but the Saga remains in the living room system where I am very pleased with it. If you do get a Saga to try, my suggestion is to use the Saga as your preamp (with 6SN7 tube buffer) and not double up with your existing active preamp. Just my opinion.

To the OP - Which tube preamp do you have now?

One thing I advise newbies to do is "keep it simple" and not go for a multi-channel biamped system.

And here I am assembling a mono system to play my mono records.

Have you ever tried listening nearfield to your Jubes, crossing the on axis well behind you?

Very nice. How far away do you listen from each pair?

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky

I wonder if the personality type (Driver, Expressive, Amiable, Analytical in the old S4 personality test jargon - there are lots and lots of these tests) of the listener determines their propensity to use and trust DBT/ABX testing methodologies? Further, I wonder if certain personality types (perhaps Analytical?) are subconsciously invested in NOT hearing differences? There are many subjects that diametrically opposed personality types (Driver and Amiable, Expressive and Analytical) have difficulty bridging - almost like not speaking the same language. Perhaps audio is one of those subjects?

Plus, they sound like music.