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Introducing Tubes?

Hello gang!
Well, It's been said of my system that "you could use some tubes in there". So, here is what I have: McCormack UDP-1/ Lexicon MC8/Krell FPB400cx. Tyler Linbrook Signature System (1piece speaker).
The system started as a home theater set up, which for family reasons, I should keep. The Questions:
How could i add tubes to the setup for 2 channel listening? Just add a tube cd player? Add a cdp AND a tube pre amp? (The Krell will do the amplification. ) Would that be enough to get the "tube sound" that has been so often described here on Agon? (I've never used tube gear). What would be a good sounding tube CDP for a rookie tube guy? (around $1000 new or used) Suggestions and/or advice is welcome and appreciated.
Thanks so much.
paul
oldpet
newbee
4,093 posts
 
Paul, For less that 1K you can pick up a EAR 834L. This is a very basic, simple to operate, preamp using 3 tubes which have very very long life (5yrs at 24/7 +/-). Tonally it is much like your Tylers - smooth and musical, but not dull and boring. It is voiced very much like my ARC SP10II. I have used one in a secord system for about 5 years with zero problems. Tube rolling with this is cheap and easy, assuming you want to fiddle with the tubes.
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Newbee. I must commend you on your choice of the ARC sp-10 mk2 preamp sir,to this very day has be considered a giant in the high end preamp sweepstakes. Yes... the ear 834L is a decent little vacuum tubed preamp, it can also be tweeked with better parts and perhaps voiced with nos tubes.And for the money,it's certainly a good recommendation here as well. No offence here sir....."BUT".... comparing the voice of the 834 to the that of your sp-10 is a weeeee bit of a stretch. To be candid here...not even remotely close for that matter.
bluebull
269 posts
 
Oldpet
Cant really match a cheapie Tube Pre with a very serious ss amp like the Krell FB 400 cx.Krell has balanced inputs ,I'm shure.Atma-Sphere has tube pre's with balanced outputs,how that will work with the Krell,I don't know.Get a pre with high voltage output,then there shouldn't be a problem.I think you have to consider spending a bit more than $1000.Have read some nice comments about Joule-Electra as well.
Good luck.
Chris
oldpet OP
295 posts
 
What do you guys think of the Audio Research LS 16 or the SP 16? What's the difference?

thanks again
oldpet OP
295 posts
 
Wow! I never realized how difficult it would be to add tubes with a KRELL amp. I'm no engineer, and, I don't pretend to be into the "technical" side of the audio world. So I'll try to explain.

It seems that tube Preamps create DC. I've been told that DC will dammage my Krell amp, and possibly my speakers. UNLESS, I open the amp up and do something the the "jumpers on the digital board" . This puts some protection into the signal path. The Bad thing is - it also colors or degrades the audible signal coming thru the speakers. So, if I want to use my SS set up, say for SACD or DVD-V/DVD-A, I would have to open the amp up again and reverse the proceedure. This would remove the "blockage" in the signal path. :-( This of course, would have to be re-done when I want to go back to the tube setup. WHAT A PAIN!

Needless to say, this has thrown the proverbial 'wet blanket' on my tube enthusiasm. Is this problem common to ALL SS amps? Or is it just a KRELL thing?

Any thoughts would be helpful.
Thanks

Paul
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