Deang Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 I'm just throwing this out here for some thoughts. I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible that a good solid state preamp might be less inclined to add coloration and lean more to the neutral side of things. It seems that while there is a plethora of tube amps than can attain a somewhat neutral balance, the sound of tube preamps are easily described and catagorized -- usually simply based on the circuit type employed. I've found that my preamp changeouts usually create the largest swings in sonic signature. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodj101 Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 preamps do more amplifying that the amp itself. the signal they start out with much be made much larger (like 50 times or something) where as the amplifier only multiplies it 3-5. I don't know the exact numbers but u get the idea. so, with that in mind preamps do potentially color the sound more than the amplifier, and solid states are typically les colored than tubes. I noticed that when I went from my Numark mixer (using as a temporary preamp before I got my bk) that the B&K preamp sounded much more neutral and less edgy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 "I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible that a good solid state preamp might be less inclined to add coloration and lean more to the neutral side of things." Didn't you use a SS pre with a tube amp once? It might sound less colorful and neutral, to the point where it might sound sterile. It may take quite a high dollar SS pre-amp to get what your looking for, could be a long path to follow. "It seems that while there is a plethora of tube amps than can attain a somewhat neutral balance, the sound of tube preamps are easily described and catagorized -- usually simply based on the circuit type employed." I geuss you blunder down that path until you find the right circuit. "I've found that my preamp changeouts usually create the largest swings in sonic signature." They always say the pre-amp is the most important piece, it does make sense. But, if you don't want any added sonic signatures, then a passive linestage would be a option,(Like you posted)using autoformers, or passive parts. But they have quirks too, impedance matching, etc... Hell, I just want a good quality CDP with a good quality variable line out. Even a SACD player, if it plays Redbook well. But they don't variable line outs.... Then the volume pot of the unit dictates some of the overall signature, which most generally will have Opamps. What happened to your Cary pre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 3, 2003 Author Share Posted August 3, 2003 I remember buying the Bryston BP-20 to put on the 3B-ST. I don't remember putting a SS preamp on a tube amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 How about the inverse? SS amp/tube preamp? Who has tried that combo and what were the results? I may give it a shot with what I have in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 3, 2003 Author Share Posted August 3, 2003 That usually works quite well and is what most do who pair the two up together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 I did try a ss preamp with my Marantz model 2 and Khorns and got much better reslts. The preamp was a Burmester 935 MK1 and I've compared it to my CJ Evolution 20se. They were both very expensive at that time (around $6K) but the Burmester was quieter and more revealing. It can be found in Europe for around $2k these days and has multiple voltage taps, so it can be used worldwide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg928gts Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 I'm using a McIntosh SS preamp with a SET tube amp and I'm enjoying the sound quite a bit. I'd like to try my Dynaco PAS-3 preamp on my system, but I've got to get it serviced first. I'd be giving up the remote control though. Also, my preamp has a built-in 5 band E.Q. that comes in handy. I've found this E.Q. doesn't seem to take away from the sound quality like outboard E.Q.'s that I've tried do. I still have yet to hook up my McIntosh MQ107. I bought that and a spectrum analyzer pink noise generator and microphone about 4 months ago and still haven't found time to play with it. I know I'm going to need a full day and I just can't seem to get to it. Is there a company that makes a new tube preamp with a remote volume control and some tone control? Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Robinson Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 ---------------- On 8/3/2003 6:02:22 PM greg928s4 wrote: I'm using a McIntosh SS preamp with a SET tube amp and I'm enjoying the sound quite a bit. ---------------- Greg, we ought to figure out a way to get together this winter or fall. I was conversing with Dubai2000 (I sold him my Wrights) and he drove them with an MX-110 and found the results just okay. When he put the Wright tubed-pre- with them, he said they came alive. One thing I could offer is to come up there with the Pantheon (tube end-to-end) and let you hear how the SET's respond. Building the Pantheon is "supposedly" simple (for me, forget it) but I'll tell you, the sound is WONDERFUL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowooo Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 Greg....check out VTL, I think they have something along those lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 I think Sunfire Labs makes a vacuum tube preamp with tone controls, but I'm not too sure about a remote control (probably not). I had an AMC CVT1030s vacuum tube preamp with a SS McIntosh MC7200 power amp for my Cornwalls which sounded fantastic...never heard a SS preamp with SET or PP amplifiers, but my uneducated guess would be it wouldn't sound bad... For what it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 3, 2003 Author Share Posted August 3, 2003 It's pathetic the things I have to post on the weekends just to kick some life into this place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 It's even more pathetic that we're all here responding to your posts on a weekend...it's pouring down rain here; nothin' else better to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vital Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 Would it be worth it to run a nice tube pre-amp thru a HK 325? What would the difference in sound be using my RF-7s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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