tubed source or tubed amp?

[SSM]

Qn: Say, an audiophool has a CDP-amp combo that use transistorised analogue outputs, and he is looking to introduce the valve sound into his system. Will a change of the cdp to one with a tubed output produce the desired effect? OR should the tubed change be made to the amp instead?

I guess what I'm asking is: which of the following equations will give the listener a better dollop of the tube sound?

• tubed cdp > SS amp
• cdp > tubed amp

SS

 

[Ant]

The second equation is my preffered solution. However if I put it together it wouldn't sound like you imaging valves to sound (ie warm and mushy).

 

[Borats Baby]

What about :

SSM wrote:

• tubed cdp> tubed amp

 

[Sastusbulbas]

Yes I agree, a Valve amp can be a superb addition to a system, much preferred to tubes added to sources for wow factor.

And as Ant says, it doesn't have to sound warm and mushy (as not all valve kit does)

I still regret getting rid of the valve pre's

 

[alexg]

Don't MF do a little valve stage thingy that sits between cdp and amp to valve it all up a bit?

No idea if they are any good or not.

I'm a recent convert to valves from SS and I'm liking it so far. It's quite addictive tbh.

 

[JANDL100]

Get a tube pre-amp if you want that extra liveness that valves can give - without the power limitations that oft afflict valve power amps.

Pre-amps are the heart of a system anyway, so best to start there IMO.

 

[Dynamic Turtle]

I suppose it all depends on how well-implemented the CDP valve buffer is. Some of the Chinese ones are alledgedly terrible (multiple op-amps in the signal path that completely negate the purpose of the excersize) and are nothing more than distortion generators muddying the signal. Some can sound amazing. One example that springs to mind is Lector of Italy. God, that CDP-7T sounds LUSH.

And then running a good valve CDP into more good valve amplification can only improve things further imho

DT

 

[SSM]

alexg wrote:

Don't MF do a little valve stage thingy that sits between cdp and amp to valve it all up a bit?No idea if they are any good or not.

I'm a recent convert to valves from SS and I'm liking it so far. It's quite addictive tbh.

That's the X-10D (the mother matrix of the X-series) and later on, the X-10D v3.

But the X-10D doesn't get reincarnated in the latest v8 series because the X-Dac v8 incorporates a switchable X-10D-like output, alongside a SS one. It is over this component and the tubed X-T100 amp that I'm deliberating.

The X-T100 sure is nice but considering the fact that my stereo also functions as the mouthpiece for my 2-ch HT, TV sound, and PC internet radio, I think I'll be prematuring consuming a huge chunk of its natural life if I use it. Its going to be runnng continuously from Friday to Sun evening.

If I can ascertain that the X-Dac v8 can tube up my whole system whilst running into my SS amp, I'll prolly go for it instead. Can leave my amp on all the time, yet enjoy the economical advantage of having tube sound for selected digital sourceSS.

ps: interesting comments, yall.

 

[SSM]

Dynamic Turtle wrote:

And then running a good valve CDP into more good valve amplification can only improve things further imho

I'm not sure. That could be the sonic equivalent of eating a Mars bars whilst drinking a super-thick chocolate drink.

 

[Dynamic Turtle]

SSM wrote:

Dynamic Turtle wrote:

And then running a good valve CDP into more good valve amplification can only improve things further imho

I'm not sure. That could be the sonic equivalent of eating a Mars bars whilst drinking a super-thick chocolate drink.

Thermionic vomit?

 

[i_should_coco]

SSM wrote:

Dynamic Turtle wrote:

And then running a good valve CDP into more good valve amplification can only improve things further imho

I'm not sure. That could be the sonic equivalent of eating a Mars bars whilst drinking a super-thick chocolate drink.

Yeah, but how's that different from running tranistor stages into more transistor stages? No one seems to complain about that. The analogy there would be like drinking vinegar while eating a cactus

Anyway, chocolate is good!

 

[Anthony]

my 1970s tube tuner runs into a tube amp.

certainly doesn't sound mushyor sickly to me, just very good. and I listen to a lot of modern dance and electronica so slow, laid back and totally lushisn't my thing.

SSM - what exactly are you looking to improve by dabbling in tubes?

 

[kennyk]

I have valve phonostage>valve pre >valve power.

I also have valve outputs on cd player.

I'm happy with the sound...

 

[SSM]

Anthony wrote:

SSM - what exactly are you looking to improve by dabbling in tubes?

I'm looking for a more dramatic sound that has awesome "sweep".

 

[subterranean-alien]

Dont have much experience with valve output-based cdp, but I resolute in my opinion that a goog valve amp cant be beat, my mate is looking at solid state upto 3k and Ive yet to hear one that I like, theres just something artificial compared to a decent valve amp. All IMO of course and valve are not always practical.

 

[The Hifi Gallery]

SSM wrote:

Anthony wrote:

SSM - what exactly are you looking to improve by dabbling in tubes?

I'm looking for a more dramatic sound that has awesome "sweep".

I have two valve amps, both do that with aplomb, valve amps are fast and dramatic, scale, dynamics, speed and realism, at leats most do, those that don't are poorly designed IMHO, folks who ain't heard a valve amp think they are soft and mushy and lack power, have had 8 watt valve amps driving atc passives when on papaer it shouldn't work, solid get a valve amp, in your nexck of the woods there are plenty of chinese ones about surely?

As for X10D dunno if MF are bringing another out, but Easter Electric minimax have just launched one, (BBE) and it's pretty good, has seperate gain and volume controls, and gives a temendous lift to the Dab radio player we use for background music in the shop.

 

[subterranean-alien]

Dont have much experience with MF apart form the X-Dac, the cylinder version. This is a 6922 based pre. In standard form I found it okay but nothing more. After an extensive rebuild inc new external psu it became acceptable. If this is an indication of their tubed based products you can do much better.

 

[Boxer]

SSM wrote:

Anthony wrote:

SSM - what exactly are you looking to improve by dabbling in tubes?

I'm looking for a more dramatic sound that has awesome "sweep".

Which ain't necessarily a valve thang!

Buy a Macintosh CDP!

Listen to Auntie!

 

[Anthony]

boxer wrote:

SSM wrote:

Anthony wrote:

SSM - what exactly are you looking to improve by dabbling in tubes?

I'm looking for a more dramatic sound that has awesome "sweep".

Which ain't necessarily a valve thang!

Buy a Macintosh CDP!

Listen to Auntie!

i'm wondering if you would get that more easily with a speaker change rather than amp (although I don't know what you have already. or a killer valve amp and speaker combo

?

sorry, that's probably not much use is it