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Too many tubed components in the system?

As a newbie to the tube side of audio, is there such a thing as too many tubed components in the audio signal path?

I have an Audio Aero CDP that has a tubed output stage, have just bought a tube amp (VTL ST-150) and am considering either a tube active linestage or passive linestage.

* Will having an all-tubed component audio chain sound too tubey? Does the concept of "too much of a good thing" apply to tubed reproduced music?
* If the answer above is 'Yes' then is there a max. number of tubed components that one should have in their system and if so then what should they be? (e.g. CDP+preamp vs CDP+amp vs preamp+amp)

Thanks for your insights.
kevinzoe
devon
35 posts
 
Keep one thing in mind with tubes....high maintenance and big bucks.You will be tube rolling until the day you die.
Is all the extra time and $$$$ worth it??
Just make sure you are buying tubes for the right reason...improved sound quality not for bragging rights.
There are some mighty fine SS components out there so don't limit yourself to tubes.
I have had audio buddies that ended up on PROZAC because they couldn't sit down and enjoy their system without wondering if a differnet tube would get them one step closer to AUDIO NIRVANA.

However I will admit I do own a tubed pre BUT the tube stops there.
mejames
986 posts
 
tubes rule. Too many no way no how.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I think if you put two 300Bs under each armpit you'd still have room for plenty more.
fbi
92 posts
 
~~~~Too Tubey or Not Too Tubey, Is That The Question?

Jest The Facts

By
kevinzoe OP
163 posts
 
Ok, a part from some silly answers above (good to know there are some senses of humour out there), it would appear that the consensus is that there is no sonic degradation of sound quality with having tubes in each link of the audio chain. Good to know. Retubing costs are another issue, as might be locating one bad tube when there are so many in the entire chain. Albert Porter --> what techniques do you use to isolate and find a "bad" tube when you've got so many in so many components?
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