Tube Preamp Opinions
anqgiap -- Tue, 11/25/2008 - 21:18
I've always been interested in trying tube preamp for my system but haven’t had the nerve to make it happen. Recently I have been offered a BAT VK-32SE at a great discount but still hesitate to pull the trigger. I'm not sure if it will worth the hassle of getting the box, put it in the system and shipping it back if it does not work out plus the maintenance associated with tube gear. I realize that you don't know if it's worth the efforts or not until you play it in the system but then again will it worth the efforts to even try in comparison to what I already have? My system consists of:
1. Esoteric P70/D70
2. Pass X-600 mono amps
3. Levinson No 32
4. MIT Oracle 2.2 XLR interconnects and speaker cables (ultrawide band to match Pass amp)
5. Revel Ultima Salon (the latest before discontinued)
6. Torus System (balanced 20A 240V) - power up the entire system
The system sounds fantastic as it is to me; but the itch of trying a tube gear keeps bugging me (and I don't really want to get into the extreme of REX). I listen mostly to instrumental and contemporary jazz. I appreciate the opinions from TAS staffs and audiophiles in the forum.
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1999 - 2011 NextScreen. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
It looks like you've assembled quite a nice system. If it sounds "fantastic" what do you think you're missing?
You do need to worry about impedance matching between tube preamps and solid state power amps. Some combos work really well, others don't. I don't have the specs on the Pass X-600, but I think it has a relatively low input impedance (but not as low as the Spectral amps which do not work well with tube preamps).
I would suggest you work with your local dealer and try out a tube preamp and see if that makes your system even more fantastic. You may pay a bit more, but having made more than my share of "remote" blunders (and having been burned by a few folks who misrepresented themselves and the condition of their products), it's well worth the extra cost. Most dealers have a bunch of used gear that they're willing to stand behind, too, and can help you avoid system mismatches.
Good luck!
Tube preamps normally do not require a lot of maintance. Tube amps are expensive to retube and can require a lot of work if you play a lot of hours.
I am not familiar with the service issues with BAT gear but I have been an ARC, VTL, CJ, dealer at different times of my career and have been with ARC forever and there is little to do except buy a set of tubes ( usually between 100-300 depending on which company and product you select) installing them which is simple and then firing the piece back up.
I am familiar with the # 32 and if you added a REF 3 for example I think you will there will be a dramtic difference in transparency, speed and lack of coloration. The 32 is a fairly old design and by todays standards will not hold up IMHO to the current leaders in sound quality. It is a beautiful piece but you can improve your system by quite a bit! MLAS hasn't made a new 2 channel preamp in a long time and now with what has happened with Harman one wonders if they ever will.
What about a second system that has a tube premap and power amp?
Buy local and used.
Mixing a tube preamp with a solid state power amps from another manufacturer can be difficult even if the impedance match works.
You may want to consider going all tube and having a solid state and all tube.
Conrad Johnson's tube and MOSFET poweramps work will together.
Another consideration is you are outside US? Although you have conditioner etc tubes prefer nice clean power without spikes etc.
Thank you all for your valuable responses - the BAT (or any other BAT equipment) I refered here I can get it from the dealer for in-house trial, just have to pay for shipping both ways if I want to return. What do I think I'm missing? I don't know and that's what has been bugging me. The N32 is a very nice preamp, I have been through many preamps (including Pass own X.05) before and this baby stays the longest but have not tried any tube gear; ML will not make any more of it, N326S is the top of the line now, it costs them too much and too long to make one 32.
I probably try the 32SE sometime; living with this setup for too long, may be it's time to get some fresh (or different sound) into the system.
Thank you all for your valuable responses - the BAT (or any other BAT equipment) I refered here I can get it from the dealer for in-house trial, just have to pay for shipping both ways if I want to return. What do I think I'm missing? I don't know and that's what has been bugging me. The N32 is a very nice preamp, I have been through many preamps (including Pass own X.05) before and this baby stays the longest but have not tried any tube gear; ML will not make any more of it, N326S is the top of the line now, it costs them too much and too long to make one 32.
I probably try the 32SE sometime; living with this setup for too long, may be it's time to get some fresh (or different sound) into the system.
FWIW, I have had the BAT integrated (6922 version) and an Esoteric X-03SE cdp in my system for about a year, with very good results.
The BAT has really helped to warm up the sound of the Esoteric, which, despite its muscular presentation of the music, is still a bit chilly.
I would suggest you find a dealer and go listen. What have you got to lose?