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Can tube preamps be as 'detailed' sounding as ss?

Recently I bought a minimax tubed preamp. After several weeks of listening and comparing to my Plinius Cd-Lad pre, I've decided I like some things about the minimax, but more things about the Plinius
1. minimax adds a sense of realism and increased soundstage depth a little
2. minimax added more hiss to the system
3. better bass with the Plinius
4. better details and clarity with the Plinius
5. Wider soundstage with Plinius

I really enjoyed the increase sense of realism though. Is it possible that a better tubed pre (such as Cary slp-98) would retain the clarity and details of the Plinius and add the midrange lushness? Or would a hybrid tube pre give the best of both worlds (like a Cary slp-308)?
thanks for your thoughts
rest of system, Bryston 3bst, Ayre cx-7, Audio Physics Libra
machman12000
tvad
9,467 posts
 
If you like the detail and bass of the solid state preamp, I believe you might really, really like a First Sound Presence Deluxe II preamp. I owned one, and ran it at one time with a Bryston 4B SST amplifer. It created the largest soundstage I've ever heard, and the bass and treble clarity was stunning. Definitely not your father's tubed preamp.

It's like solid state on steroids.
bartokfan
664 posts
 
Zaiksman, as I hear it, ss amps are a Dinosaur that is dying a very slow and most painful death. Will take decades more for the final one to be laid to rest.
Also chinese tubes amps are on their way. There is no amount of criticism that is going to stop those who know a vaule when the see one, from jumping on it.
To my eyes, the guys of any ss amp/pre are disgusting looking. Really gross. And the sound image is so un natural, so insensitive, cold, calculating.
Tubes OTOH are true beauty. The tube amps that do sound poor and ugly, I've heard a few, are uglied sounding for the ss electronics inside, poorly arrangned and/or cheap parts.
There's not any ss amy that can match even the littlest of Jadis the Orch Refer on any level.
Not even close.
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Machman

You lose your forum cherry with the tube vs transistor argument and you nailed it, first time.
muzcal
66 posts
 
Check the brand of tubes being used. There are most likely better brands out there. Tube brands definitely sound different from each other.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>Clean looking and offers plenty of tubes at a incredible price<<

3 great reasons to buy.
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