Differences in sound: DAC vs. DAC + Pre-amplifier

[PeterG]

On 3/25/2020 at 2:50 PM, barrows said:

tubes are now completely obsolete in the quest for the absolute best possible playback systems.  While I agree in many cases that tubes can improve a system in some instances, in some ways, the recent advances in the best SS circuits have eliminated all advantages tubes may have had int he past.  These advances are only heard in some components though, and it may be that many have not heard the best possible solid state systems.

 

I do not understand your thinking, or maybe it's that your thinking does not lead to a solution for more than an incredibly small number of people.  When you say "the best possible playback systems", I assume you mean that there are no tube amps that compete compete with a pair of $50-100K monoblocks.  If that's what you mean, I will not dispute that, but I do not understand why it is relevant in anything more than the theoretical sense to all but those who are prepared to drop $200K or more on their systems. 

 

But if we drop a zero off the end to get to ~$10K in amps, probably close to the median value of amp budgets among AS readers, we are not discussing "the best possible solid state systems", we are only discussing (hopefully) excellent amps.  In this range, it is easy for many to "improve a system" with tubes, even for those who have heard the best SS in that price ballpark.

[PeterG]

36 minutes ago, barrows said:

@PeterG,  By no means am I suggesting that one needs to spend 5 figures (or higher) to get excellent sound from a solid state amplifier.  In fact, with the current advent of class D amplifiers which outperform almost anything else available, one can spend a few thousand dollars and get amplification with absolutely fantastic sound quality.  I really do not know how you came to the conclusion that I was advocating for $50-$100 K mono blocks?  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Actually, when it comes to tube amplifiers, i would suggest the cost is very high for any decent sounding tube amps with enough power to drive real world, average sensitivity loudspeakers (ARC reference series, or VTL).

Your use of the phrase "absolute best" is what suggested monoblocks.  I agree that cost is high for tubes and low for Class D, but you kind of get what you pay for.