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Most beneficial change .

I am seeking opinions about what to change first , my speakers or my amplification .

I have a Primaluna Prologue 2 integrated feeding Reference 3a Decapo i speakers from a Granite Audio 657 CDP using the tubed side most of the time . I have rolled the input tubes on the integrated to warm things up some which helped nicely . The system is in a small 10'X11' room on the diagonal with some room treatments . The room is carpeted and my chair is overstuffed leather with a matching foot stool .

I get good tone , extension , details , resolution and PRaT but it is kind of boring ! It all sounds pretty good but I don't want to tap my toes ,bob my head or play the air guitar ! I can listen for long periods of time with ease but just don't want to . Easy to fall asleep ! I guess that I would like to increase the dynamics and musicality . I prefer tubes .

Suggestions ?

Thank you for your input .
saki70
jylee
306 posts
 
Sorry, the link for the solid state amp measurement is here.

solid state amp
jj2468
280 posts
 
In the two test samples, it appears the tube amp adds predominantly second or even order harmonic and the solid state amp adds odd order harmonic (at a comparatively lower level (amplitude?)). It may be worth noting that the authors complained of significant hum in the tube amps tested, which could affect the output, but I'm ready to accept that both tube and solid state amps add harmonics to the source material.

The tests were performed on a 50khz pure sine wave. I am interested in seeing the results of similar test feeding the complex waves of a real instrument, say the strike of an "a" on the piano. Is that test data available comparing a tube amp to a solid state amp?
saki70 OP
853 posts
 
Wanted to give an update here.

I took the advise of tube suggestions . I had forgotten that this was one of reasons for the Primaluna choice !

I have tried some EL34's . Very nice , I see what you meant Trelja . They do make the mids more pronounced and interesting . I can see the fascination with these tubes !
These will do me for now .

Thanks to all .
blindjim
2,837 posts
 
Saki70

Which 34's did you try? CED Winged C? JJ?
saki70 OP
853 posts
 
Hi Jim ;
I tried EH's on the recommendation from Upscale Audio for the most dynamic EL-34 tube .
Once I get used to them I will then try some JJ's . I have been told that they may be better . Any thoughts ?

Thank you .
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