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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
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
oldpet OP
295 posts
 
Forgot to ask. Would the same issues arise if I were to JUST add a Tubed CD Player?

thank

paul
vegasears
922 posts
 
When I added tubes to my Krell 200 FPB/Adcom 750 pre, I started with a CAL Alpha tubed DA processor. Like you I asked here before making a move. I liked what the tubes added so much that I added a Cary AE-3 tube line level pre. My reasons for going with cary were the good comments/reviews here and the resale was good if it turned out to be a bad match. I called Krell, they faxed the instructions and said if it looked to hard just call back and a tech support person would walk me though the steps. I never had to call back.

If you would like to talk in person email me and I will send you my phone number.

Allan
btrvalik
61 posts
 
I have a Conrad Johnson PV14L, this preamp has an HT bypass mode. It is often paired with their SS AMPS. It basically set the gain to unity so you HT preamp works normally. You could hook up you CDP to the CJ and have it go direct to the krell. I did not follow all the thread but it sounds like the Krell has no decoupling caps in the input. Most AMPS do and I would not worry about making he mod to put them in line and needing to revert later. I would assume the are good quality caps. I have an all tube setup (CDP, PRE, AMP) so I'm not sure how much tube sound this would add alone. This preamp is a bit of a hybrid since it has a FET input stage.
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