if you had to choose just one - tube pre or tube amp?

[Sonny]

...........if you were limited to just one item, would you go for a TT - tube pre - SS amp or would you prefer TT - SS pre - tube amp?

interested to see some opinions..

 

[Al ears]

...........if you were limited to just one item, would you go for a TT - tube pre - SS amp or would you prefer TT - SS pre - tube amp?

interested to see some opinions..

Whichever sounds best.

Common choice is tube preamp + SS power amp but this is sometimes reversed.

Currently I have solid state pre to hybrid power.

 

[DocG]

I'd go for a tube pre and SS power.

Or actually, I'd go for a SS pre and power, and add a tube buffer. That way, you can change depending on your mood, or the music you play.

 

[Vladimir]

If they need more power, then SS in power amp section. If they are high efficiency, then all valves.

 

[Sonny]

how is a buffer different from a pre?

 

[DocG]

how is a buffer different from a pre?

A buffer is an extra circuit, usually in between pre and power amp. You can then use it, if you want to add 'tube harmonics', or bypass it if you want to listen without.

 

[DocG]

If they need more power, then SS in power amp section. If they are high efficiency, then all valves.

That's cheating. *blum3* You must choose either or.

EDIT: OK, I was cheating too, suggesting a third option... *blush*

 

[chebby]

Integrated all valve amplifier. (You said "one item".)

 

[Vladimir]

If they need more power, then SS in power amp section. If they are high efficiency, then all valves.

That's cheating. *blum3* You must choose either or.

EDIT: OK, I was cheating too, suggesting a third option... *blush*

I really don't mind hybrids at all. It depends on the design concept coming from the designer. If I find it interesting and sounds excellent, I'll certanly be interested. I've heard plenty generic all valve amps that were all too woolly and bland. If a hybrid can pull off that amazing rich raspy cello string purrr but still have a proper attack on drum instruments, I'll be emptying my pockets fast.

 

[Rethep]

Integrated all valve amplifier. (You said "one item".)

+1 !

 

[lindsayt]

I use TT, with built in solid state phono and linestage amplification into resistor based voume control into SET power amp.

But, and it's a big but, my speakers are very highly efficient. If I had sub 90 db efficient speakers I'd either actively bi-amp them (valve for midrange and treble, solid state for bass) or I'd use solid state all the way.

I used to have an EAR 834p valve phono amp, but strongly prefer the built in solid state phono amplification in my TT's.

I'd only consider valve phono / pre-amplification if it were at least as good as the Longdog Audio ones.

Adding a valve buffer to a solid state amplification chain would be against my system building principles: less is more where you can get away with less.

 

[gasolin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLJOKXdu_sY

 

[Al ears]

If they need more power, then SS in power amp section. If they are high efficiency, then all valves.

That's cheating. *blum3* You must choose either or.

EDIT: OK, I was cheating too, suggesting a third option... *blush*

I really don't mind hybrids at all. It depends on the design concept coming from the designer. If I find it interesting and sounds excellent, I'll certanly be interested. I've heard plenty generic all valve amps that were all too woolly and bland. If a hybrid can pull off that amazing rich raspy cello string purrr but still have a proper attack on drum instruments, I'll be emptying my pockets fast.

Suggest you have a word with Tom Evans and be prepared to empty pockets. 🙂