Matching Solid State Amp w/ Tube Preamp

[mourip]

I think that it ends up being trial and error however I have always found it to be a good combination. I am careful to turn on the preamp first and then wait a minute before turning on the amp and also turn the preamp off last. Some tube preamps can put out some nasty stuff while warming up. I know this for a fact as I once fried the woofers in my speakers by forgetting. Newer and better preamps often have a relay on a timer for their outputs to avoid this

[mourip]

1 hour ago, Allan F said:

 

It is generally recommended that you turn on an amp last for the reason you state but, for that same reason, it is also recommended that you turn it off first, i.e. before turning off the preamp. IOW, the turn off sequence should be the reverse of the turn on sequence.

 

Yes. I said " and also turn the preamp off last."

 

The reverse would be to turn off the amp first and the preamp last. Sorry if that was not clear enough.

[mourip]

2 hours ago, DancingSea said:

What part do tube buffers play in this?

 

Tube buffers can help with impedance matching without giving too much gain.

 

Some also like the tube "flavor" that is imparted. The flavor part is a matter of personal preference.

[mourip]

11 minutes ago, Allan F said:

 

No. if you turn on the amp last in the turn on sequence, the reverse of that would be to turn it off first in the turn off sequence.

 

That is what I said...

 

Here is a quote from a good company that manufactures David Berning circuits. This would apply to tube preamps without muting circuits.

 

 "...you must turn on the MicroZOTL2 before you turn on your power amp, and turn your power amp off before you turn off the MicroZOTL2. The MicroZOTL2 should therefore be the first thing on and the last thing off."

[mourip]

No problem. I do that all the time!

[mourip]

7 hours ago, TubeLover said:

The Micro ZOTL MZ2s preamp is an absolute steal. Numerous reviews have shown it besting high end preamps running 10-20 times it's cost. I own one, as do a number of other extremely happy CA members. Might be the single greatest value in high end audio performance.

 

They also come with a free home audition period. 

 

JC

 

+1. I have been using the Linear Tube Audio MZ2+ with upgraded LPS for a while. It is a great value and for me a winner on an absolute level. Adding NOS tubes brings it up even farther.

 

I am now using LTA's new "Ultralinear" amp. 20 watts from 17JN6 Compactron output tubes. It is basically David Berning's ZH-230 with output tubes that have a different heater voltage and costs way less. This bests my previous Pass Labs SIT2 by quite a bit.

 

Sorry to digress...