Preamps!

[rubin]

I have a tube and a ss preamp both of which I've had for quite a few years,driving ss amps.Knowing very well how each of them sound,Using a cdp source.

SS pre.-clearer treble & midrange noticeably sharper sound,more bass authority.

SS pre. with MF x10 tube buffer between the cdp and preamp-slightly smoother highs same bass authority.

Tube pre- fuller,richer,more pleasing sound,mellow highs a bit less bass.More to my presonal taste.Others might like the (slam of a ss preamp)

[concealer404]

Interestingly enough, i've found that amps have more impact on bass slam, though i did notice a slight decrease when i swapped my old Adcom pre out for my B&K.

Also interesting... when i introduced tubes in the mix with the buffer, i noticed a pretty large increase in that same slam. :)

Sounds like you liked the tubed pre/sand amp combo that most people like. :D

[heiney9]

My tube pre (with my favorite tubes) has much better treble and midrange both in clarity and resolution and space. Microdynamics are superb as well. Depending on the tube there was a slight softening of bass compared to the Adcom GFP-750 pre which is SS, but this can be almost eliminated with the proper tube and rectifier.

H9

[rubin]

With the tubes I'm using now the sound is (fuzzy) in a way I like . More relaxing. The ss pre is more in your face , which I like for party time.Advantages either way for me . The ss pre seems to send a stronger bass signal .

[heiney9]

I tend to like tubes that have a lot of the clarity and neutrality of solidstate, but have a lot more depth and space as well as being excellent at microdynamic detail but with none of the fatigue characteristics that can sometimes happen with a SS pre-amp. I will say my current SS pre-amp is about as neutral and non-fatiguing as they come. The tube pre adds depth, presence and SOUL.

Many like Mullard tubes, I don't care for them as much since they tend to soften the treble, emphasize the mids and have looser bass (in general). For many that is what they want from a tube.

I love the Valvo's (made in Hamburg), Telefunken and RCA's because they are much more neutral while still giving the euphoric, just like you're in the room, characteristics tubes are known for, but still have some of the precision of great SS pre-amp.

One of the biggest differences is in rolling rectifiers. They seem to have a huge influence on the sound, aleast in my case.

H9

[rubin]

I tend to like tubes that have a lot of the clarity and neutrality of solidstate, but have a lot more depth and space as well as being excellent at microdynamic detail but with none of the fatigue characteristics that can sometimes happen with a SS pre-amp. I will say my current SS pre-amp is about as neutral and non-fatiguing as they come. The tube pre adds depth, presence and SOUL.

Many like Mullard tubes, I don't care for them as much since they tend to soften the treble, emphasize the mids and have looser bass (in general). For many that is what they want from a tube.

I love the Valvo's (made in Hamburg), Telefunken and RCA's because they are much more neutral while still giving the euphoric, just like you're in the room, characteristics tubes are known for, but still have some of the precision of great SS pre-amp.

One of the biggest differences is in rolling rectifiers. They seem to have a huge influence on the sound, aleast in my case.

H9

I'm using 2 ge 5751's and 2 Mullard cv4024's and it does soften the sound enough for me.

[headrott]

I love the Valvo's (made in Hamburg), Telefunken and RCA's because they are much more neutral while still giving the euphoric, just like you're in the room, characteristics tubes are known for, but still have some of the precision of great SS pre-amp.

H9

I too love the sound of the Hamburg Valvos (45 degree halo getter) and love them combined with the Brimar 13D5 tubes. Great combo.

[heiney9]

Best 3 combo's I have for my pre are

1) Telefunken ECC801S w/Brimar 1940's Military 5Z4G rectifier

2) Valvo (Hamburg) 6201 Gold Pin (2 mica) w/Brimar 1940's Military 5Z4G rectifier

3) Valvo (Hamburg) 1958 ECC81 D-getter w/copper grid posts w/Brimar 1940's Military 5Z4G rectifier

I just bought a pair of 1952 Valvo Hamburg "coin bottom" tubes. Among the very first production ECC81/12AT7's. Supposed to be superb and ultra rare, we'll see how they stack up.

Another very nice sounding combo on the cheap is a pair of 60's German RFT ECC81 and 1959 CBS HYTRON JAN CHY 5Y3WGTA (brown base) rectifier.