Vacuum tubes or solid state for a preamp?

On a DIY project, what's the best device to build on?

[pharoahkenun]

from my opinion tube pre amp brings out the magic in music

[net_news]

i love soundstage so tubes tubes everywhere

[ronniecramer]

I realize that my Emotive Audio Sira preamp built in 2004 with its 18 tubes is now a dinosaur, but the sound is amazing.

[carlitomelon]

I do BOTH.
Depending on my listening preference for each session.

-Solid state for matter-of-fact precision & accuracy.
-Valves for emotion & soundstage enhancement.

I was inspired by the Sch**+ Freya's mode choices but wanted separate optimised implementations.
I now enjoy the DENAFRIPS Ares12th balanced DAC & Hestia12th fully balanced SS preamp into a balanced Bryston amp. This satisfies my curiosity for tonally accurate transparency.

But:
I'm in LOVE with my (single ended) valve preamp!
I can roll signal & rectifier valves, coupling & bypass caps too....A new *presentation* at every step.

I've been playing with the Musical Paradise MP 701mk2 for a few years now. As Paul said, "DIY tubes" are hard to beat.
I do like having SS for reference, but valves win for sheer musical SOUL:
Ineffable!
🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵

[lynnlittle]

I use a Schiit Audio Freya + in my stereo system. The ability to use the three modes, passive, solid state and tube, is a really useful feature when trying to find that synergy we all hope to find.

That said, other than added cost, I wonder why more companies don’t design preamps with this ability…

[odizcvw]

Great point. For DIY, tubes in the electronics and open baffle in speakers is a simple approach to very good sound. Still the design, execution and parts quality determine good vs great.

[Bob-swzj]

One benefit of tubes is tube rolling for the sound that YOU enjoy. IF you want a different sound, you don't have to buy a new preamp, just change a few tubes. NOS tubes can SIGNIFICANTLY change the sound of a preamp vs the modern production tubes that are used by most manufacturers.

[Jdvc-ydtx]

Pro Tip: unless you're on a very tight budget or short of time make both. Listen. Then decide which one you prefer. 😎 🖋

[biketech]

Vacuum tubes do a great job of voltage amplification, solid state does a great job of current amplification . This is a simplification, but largely true . Designer skill tops everything .

[davidstevens]

Its the Y IN THE ROAD. tubes sound good..they hide problems..theyre microphonic . They make average recordings sound better. But solid state done correct is more accurate. That sometimes doesnt sound as good..GET IT?

[daltonknox]

My system sounded its best with a tube preamp and power amp - not a MOSFET in sight - driving my Maggies. The problem was cost and reliability of the power amp. In the end I decided it was a luxury I could no longer afford and now I am using a BHK250 which certainly has a better bass, but not quite the midrange magic of the tubes.

[tubefreeeasy]

The new Sophia Electric Aqua Mark II tube is amazing.

[Mark-lqsb]

Does this mean your BHK amps will be all solid state in the future too? If so, I guess the BHK moniker will disappear.

[PetraKann]

Vacuum tube preamps and power amps are a lot more fun to design and build (even with the risk of high voltages)

[MS-]

Hey Paul, what about using NU Tube technology mixed with solid state for a preamp?

[tothemax]

Been down both routes, now a passive pre (relay type) gets out of the way and has me engaged with the music from either a tube or SS AMP only. No thanks to added colour for me that is, but thank you Paul.

[ReverendDr.Thomas]

Paul, thanks for the information!

😇 May God Bless You Always! 😇


Reverend Dr. Thomas,
✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱

[nnndude]

Solids state just can't touch tubes realism. Talking high level design like VAC 452 IQ musicblocks. Solid state can get clean and pure but just misses on that emotion and feeling the music with connection. That's why alot of people love solid state for techno and slam type stuff as it typically punches harder and cleaner. Tubes take more maintenance. It's what your time and budget allows for with your goals for the music.

[johnnaighley]

When designing a superior solid state preamp, would you only use a discrete circuitry and avoid to use some really very good opamps like for example the AD 797 or the LME 49710 and why? ...

[paulmilligan]

People love even harmonic distortion, so tubes sound better (aka warmth). I’d like to see the schematic of Octave Records tube based DSD analog to digital convertor. If 90% of the record / playback chain is solid state, tubes are an affectation or a distraction.