[orrman]

why can’t you just use a WA22 to imbue tubey warmth?

Who said you can't?

 

[BassicScience]

Hey guys. Hope everyone is well.

So what’s the consensus on the best tube performance for the Susvara. Find a beefy integrated tube amp to power the Susvara directly or tube pre with a speaker amp? Also if one is using tubes as a pre, why can’t you just use a WA22 to imbue tubey warmth?

Sorry, I’m a total tube noob

I rather doubt there's a consensus! As a generalization, a SS speaker amp is going to give you the most accuracy/grip in the bass (due to lower output impedance). Also, to get equivalent power requires a goodly number of tubes, which equals heat and replacement cost. For those reasons, I prefer to add my "tube warmth" with a preamp. YMMV.

 

[Somatic]

Who said you can't?

Then why do people buy the WA33/Envy etc vs WA22 if using as a tube pre?

 

[orrman]

Then why do people buy the WA33/Envy etc vs WA22 if using as a tube pre?

As someone who owned the WA22 and now owns the WA33 I can tell you, at least personally, that I bought the 22 to be a pre but bought the 33 to be a headphone amp on its own right. It blows away the 22 in all aspects it's not even close (which should be the case considering their asking price).

I also think both are first and foremost primarily headphones amps that can be used as a pre as their secondary use case but you can probably get much better pres for that money if that's what you need.

 

[Somatic]

As someone who owned the WA22 and now owns the WA33 I can tell you, at least personally, that I bought the 22 to be a pre but bought the 33 to be a headphone amp on its own right. It blows away the 22 in all aspects it's not even close (which should be the case considering their asking price).

I also think both are first and foremost primarily headphones amps that can be used as a pre as their secondary use case but you can probably get much better pres for that money if that's what you need.

What tube preamp do you recommend?

 

[SalR406]

For those reasons, I prefer to add my "tube warmth" with a preamp.

And that Audio Research preamp in your sig is excellent.

 

[BassicScience]

And that Audio Research preamp in your sig is excellent.

Thanks. I bought the Reference 1 circa 1995, and subsequently upgraded to the Ref 5SE, and then the Ref 6SE a few years ago. Was never much of a fan of the Ref 2 or Ref 3, FWIW. All of these were purchased for my 2-channel system, and are total overkill (and too expensive) for most headphone setups, but since I am already an owner, I might as well leverage it.

Audio Research makes (and has made since 1970!) a broad range of tube preamps at various price points. Highly recommended gear for those not seeking bloomy tube sound.

 

[orrman]

What tube preamp do you recommend?

I'm no expert in tube pre amps or anything for the matter but I'm sure that if you give a budget and intent some of the experts here will recommend a few options

 

[Spawn300Z]

Don’t forget

What tube preamp do you recommend?

Don’t forget about Hybrid options. I connect my TT2/M-Scaler to the Riviera AIC-10. It has tube pre with solid state amp section. It works wonderfully. Plus only one tube to roll. I like this combo a lot.

I might consider the Dave or the DCS Lina as the next upgrade and should be good to go.

 

[Articnoise]

And that Audio Research preamp in your sig is excellent.

Ref 5/6 are excellent, but don't forget that ARC LS15 and LS27 are also great pre-amps that cost much less and which can be find used for a very reasonable price.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

That is where what my curiosity is...full analog with Susvara's...this despite the world of full on digital which I adore and love, but how about an Rega P10........Susvara??? Anyone?

I have a Rega P10 with Apheta 3 cartridge connected to a Rega Aura Phono stage that is connected to my EF1000 (single RCA input to the 'CD' input of the EF1000) which powers my Susvaras.

This set-up was good but not on the same level as my Chord Blu (MK1 converted to a MK2 with M Scaler) with my Chord DAVE linked to my EF1000 (single RCA to the DAC input of the EF1000). Blu & DAVE are liked together with the great Wave Fidelity STORM BNC digital cables.

However my recently acquired (in July this year) Kuzma XL DC turntable with Kuzma 4Point connected to a My Sonic Lab EX cartridge which is connected to my Rega Aura is a different thing altogether which either equals (at worst) my Blu & DAVE or most of the time trounces on it.

The sound I am getting from the Kuzma & My Sonic Lab analogue set-up to my EF1000 and Susvaras is to my ears sonic bliss & audio heaven especially with great well produced & recorded vinyl. Only downside is I am getting a slight hum from the Rega Aura when listening with my Susvaras at approx. 50% on the volume pot although when I have my EF1000 driving my Focal Electra 1008 Be speakers (at 30% on the volume pot) I don't hear any hum at all.

Now wondering if a much better (i.e. one where I don't hear any hum at all when using my Susvaras) Phono Stage than the Rega Aura (which is a great sounding Phono Stage) ideally a current / trans-impedance input Phono (for the low impedance Eminent EX) i.e. for instance a Van Den Hul The Grail or a BMC MCCI, or a Channel D Lino C3.3, or a Sutherland Loco or an ultimate pinnacle Phono Stage i.e. a CH Precision P1 will make my EF1000 & Susvara set-up sound even better ?

FYI (and from the above info); I am now therefore selling my Rega P10 with Apheta 3 and possibly my Rega Aura Phono stage (need to review the above Phono stages first) which are currently residing in the UK. Also have my Chord M Scaler up for sale (also in the UK) (as no longer need it due to upgrading my Chord Blu).

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

I've nothing against the digital format but analogue is great to my ears. RP8 with Apheta mc cartridge is very good especially with a phono like Avid Pellar but if you have money to burn, sure go for the Planar 10. But then you would want a Techdas Air Force Zero.

Or a Kuzma XL DC with Kuzma 4Point Tonearm and a top cartridge ! .
This set-up trounced on my Rega P10 with Apheta 3 both from a Rega Aura Phono Stage with my EF1000 & Susvaras !

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Don’t forget

Don’t forget about Hybrid options. I connect my TT2/M-Scaler to the Riviera AIC-10. It has tube pre with solid state amp section. It works wonderfully. Plus only one tube to roll. I like this combo a lot.

I might consider the Dave or the DCS Lina as the next upgrade and should be good to go.

A1+
Same for my EF1000 i.e. tube pre-amp with SS power amp hybrid amp.

I believe (from my years experience in hifi systems) having a high quality non tube SS source (to achieve the cleanest source single possible) into a high quality tube pre-amp (so you can tube roll the pre-amp (which can have a similar although much smaller effect) for tone changes like an equalizer) then into a high quality SS Power Amp is a great hifi set-up both for headphone and speaker systems.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Hey guys. Hope everyone is well.

So what’s the consensus on the best tube performance for the Susvara. Find a beefy integrated tube amp to power the Susvara directly or tube pre with a speaker amp? Also if one is using tubes as a pre, why can’t you just use a WA22 to imbue tubey warmth?

Sorry, I’m a total tube noob

Just buy the Hifiman EF1000 then your done and you can then enjoy audio nirvana with your Susvaras for many years to come (assuming you also have a high quality source into the EF1000 ! ).

 

[paradoxper]

A1+
Same for my EF1000 i.e. tube pre-amp with SS power amp hybrid amp.

I believe (from my years experience in hifi systems) having a high quality non tube SS source (to achieve the cleanest source single possible) into a high quality tube pre-amp (so you can tube roll the pre-amp (which can have a similar although much smaller effect) for tone changes like an equalizer) then into a high quality SS Power Amp is a great hifi set-up both for headphone and speaker systems.

In this case, 300B with planars is a very special complement.