2. amps-preamps
  3. 146969-75423

tube pre amp or tube amp

I go through a phase every few years where I choose to "upgrade" my system or make a change just for the sake of doing so. My current system sounds beautiful but today I am curious
I am running an AudioResearch CD9 source through an AudioResearch REF5SE pre amp followed by VAC phi300i AMP
I was considering inserting a high end solid state piece into the system such as a PASS XA60.8 mono blocks instead of VAC. 
I was considering changing out the Audio Research pre amp to a LAMM pre amp (hybrid)
If I would like to interject a solid state component  into my system, would it be more advantageous for that piece to be the AMP or the PRE AMP?
wahoo101488
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,611 posts
 
Unless you have deep pockets and can invest significant green in a high power tube amp or have more shallow pockets but have very efficient speakers that would not require a boat-anchor of an amp I would go tubes in the preamp.  My system has been that way for a few decades now and I would never go back!  The sweetness of tubes with the bass authority of solid state!

tuberist
79 posts
 
Wahoo, you have a great rack of gear. As I'm sure you know, the pre has a pretty big influence, so do you want an SS sound or tube presentation? However, with your level of investment, you could go anyway you want, just need to decide what you are trying to accomplish? I'm not sure what kind of outcome you want other than to try something new. Good luck Brother

inna
5,245 posts
 
Yeah, unclear what the OP wants to accomplish. I would probably try Lamm hybrid power amp. Lamm is first of all famous for its power amps. I would not replace VAC with Pass, maybe with another VAC. And I would certainly have and keep tube preamp.
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