2. amps-preamps
  3. 1228174412

Solid state amp/Tube Preamp. Possible?

Hi everyone. I have a Classe CA300 power amp & I'm thinking of getting a BAT tube preamp w/phone pre. A BAT VK-3i to be exact. My speakers are B&W 802's with a Linn Wakonda Pre at present with a Sota table. The Linn has a on board phone pre but I run my table through a Musical Fidelity X-LPS ver 3 phono pre. I'm thinking of replacing the Linn & X-LPS with the BAT VK-3i. I know BAT's reputation is outstanding just worried about the tube pre matched with a solid state amp. Any ideas or experience with this type of set up would be appreciated.

Cheers Deanna
deanna4242
zapper
65 posts
 
I have actually had the Classe 400 with the BAT VK-3i and the match was excellent driving my older Mirage M3 speakers. I had the Odyssey Stratos with that system as well, and the sound was also excellent. The CDP was a Meridian, warmest most musical system I probably have had in 1 room.
I think your going in the right direction.

Z
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
My first tubed component was a preamp matched to a solid state amp and it was not a problem. Matching the impedance as listed in some other posts is usually not a problem either. I also think that if you are going to move towards tubes, you are headed in the right direction and will probably get more pleasing results with the tubed preamp rather than if you had a tube power amp with a solid state preamp. Just my opinion!!
tvad
9,467 posts
 
12-02-08: Cyclonicman
Matching the impedance as listed in some other posts is usually not a
problem either.

John Atkinson provides reasons in his Stereophile test measurements section for
the potential impedance mismatches. Perhaps I have not presented the reasons
clearly, but the issue exists nonetheless.

Readers should look at Atkinson's measurements sections in Stereophile
reviews for further information. He has tested several BAT preamps.

As I stated earlier, the BAT/Classe match will likely be good based on the
numbers, but to say matching impedance is usually not a problem is simply
incorrect.

Perhaps, I'm misunderstanding Cyclonicman's point.
ait
480 posts
 
I use a Supratek Chenin with a Gilmore Class D amp and the combo sounds sensational. No impedance problems there. The output impedance of the Supratek is ~200ohms, so it matches up well with just about any amp.
missioncoonery
732 posts
 
Ive run tube preamps and solid state amps in different combos for years..Never gave the matching any thought and never had any issues..IMO, the tech info of matching may have its credits but in any system I put together it never was...
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