Tube or SS amp with a tube DAC

[soloclass]

If I have a Conrad Jonhson DA-2B tube DAC and that I like the sound of it, would'nt I be better with a SS head amp than with a tube amp ?
Reasonning :
1) Tube over tube will end up being "smooth over smooth", therefore ... too smooth
2) Tube amps will be "noisy" compared with a SS amp of equivalent quality
3) For the same money, I will get a better quality SS amp than a tube amp
4) SS amp will be more transparant (tube amp will add coloration to the sound)

Am I wrong somewhere ?

Additional info : My headphones have low impedance (ATH-W1000); I use a passive preamp.

What would you suggest ?

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloclass /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I have a Conrad Jonhson DA-2B tube DAC and that I like the sound of it, would'nt I be better with a SS head amp than with a tube amp ? Reasonning : 1) Tube over tube will end up being "smooth over smooth", therefore ... too smooth 2) Tube amps will be "noisy" compared with a SS amp of equivalent quality 3) For the same money, I will get a better quality SS amp than a tube amp 4) SS amp will be more transparant (tube amp will add coloration to the sound) Am I wrong somewhere ? Additional info : My headphones have low impedance (ATH-W1000); I use a passive preamp. What would you suggest ?

Your amp should depend on your headphones and the music you listen to. If you like rock or electronically amped music with a heavy low end and a lot of bass slam, you're probably better off with a sold state amp. Solid state, generally, is better at the low end. Also, it should have sufficient power to drive your headphones. I'm not familiar with your cans, but low impedance is more easily driven by solid state.

As for your points:

1. Not necessarily. A pure analog chain can be a joy to use. I use a tube phono pre into a tubed pre and a tubed power amp. Even more pure, I run an all tube FM receiver into all tubes. "Smooth over smooth" isn't really a problem. You don't need to mix it up for good sound. You can tailor a certain sound if you want, but there's nothing wrong going with all tubes.

2. Nope. A good tube amp is dead quiet. So are good solid state amps.

3. Sort of. The foundation for a good tube amp is a solid power supply. You need a transformer for the B+ and at least one filament winding or a separate filament transformer. Transformers cost money, especially ones for the high voltage tubes require. Personally, I think it's worth the extra dollars to have a good tube circuit. Tube gear has fewer parts and, in my opinion, fewer parts means there's less fuss with the signal. I'm a minimalist sort - I feel the same way about clothes, architecture and cooking, among other things.

4. Nope. There are great tube and solid state amps that are totally transparent. I think tubes are moreso because there's less in the signal path. But that's my opinion.

 

[soloclass]

As for type of music, let's say mostly acoustic and female vocals.

It could be violins & cellos, blues, guitars (mostly acoustic though but not necessary classical)

Impedance of the ATH-W1000 is 40 Ohms.

So you would go with tube amp If I understand.
Won't it "change" the sound I get with my DAC ?

Again what would you suggests ?

 

[synaesthetic]

For high-sensitivity, low-impedance headphones you will need to shop carefully for a tube amp if you intend to go that route and make sure it can be adjusted. If you don't you may end up always listening in the bottom range of the volume pot where channel imbalance is common.

 

[soloclass]

Any suggestion fora SS amp.
Budget 200-300 $
Used equipment would be considered Ok

 

[Gradofan2]

Based on my experience, I think I prefer a SS CDP/DAC with a tube amp, and possibly a tube buffer with dark phones like the HD650s and D5000s. That combo seems to produce greater clarity, detail, tighter bass and brighter highs - which these phones need, while also retaining a rich, textured, liquid, realistic sound.

I suppose... you might achieve a similar result with a tube CDP/DAC and a SS amp like the GS-1.

An amp with very low impedance is particularly critical to clearing up the D5000s... enough... that you can potentially avoid the "Markl Mods." The Marantz SA-8001 SACD/CDP (a real bargain) in combo with the X-CANv8 SS/tube hybrid (another bargain) is an especially good match with them - tightens the bass, and clears them right up. Its also good with Senns... although... I think I slightly prefer the added weight and warmth of a tube CDP/DAC and Tube amp with the HD580/600s.

With brighter phones like Grados, Senn HD580/600s, and AD2000s... I think I prefer a tube CDP/DAC, to "take the edge off."

There don't seem to be a any "universal truths." Its really "all about" careful "mixing and matching" with each set of phones... including the tubes. Its a "damn shame" it must be so difficult... but... it is. The best example of that is with the D5000s, and perhaps the HD650s.

 

[soloclass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I suppose... you might achieve a similar result with a tube CDP/DAC and a SS amp like the GS-1.

That is what I sort of expect (or whish ?)


Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There don't seem to be a any "universal truths." Its really "all about" careful "mixing and matching" with each set of phones... including the tubes. Its a "damn shame" it must be so difficult... but... it is.

YA ! Some may think it's fun (it probably is); I just don't have the time to experiment so many things, possibilities, etc. This is why such a forum is so useful to me. The "little" spare time I have, I prefer to listen to music than analysing my gears and wonder what else would be better. Same with my other systems (stereo or HT).


Somehow (and I might be wrong), it seems to me that a SS amp will be better for me. I'll definitively look at the GS-1 (even if it' s a bit over what I expected to disburse).

Thanks for your advices (all of you).