Thought i was the first one to decode it...

does pairing it up with a solid state power amp make any sense ? just curious what something like this or any good tube pre amp would be like if paired with my denon poa-2800 for example... good way to get the best of both worlds ? or not worth the bother unless you go all in with a tube power amp too?

@@jessielees Some people think a tube preamp with high quality solid state amp is the best of both worlds.

@@jessielees Pairing a SS power amp and a tube preamp does exactly what you mentioned, in that it’s a good way to get the best of both worlds, and it’s a somewhat common practice. It also comes down to achieving the best synergy possible throughout your entire system too, which can take a good amount of experimenting and time. When pairing the two together, the general rule is that the input impedance of the SS power amp is at least 10x the amount of the output impedance of the preamp. There’s more to it but that’s the basics, and you should be able to use a tube based preamp with your SS Denon amp if you follow that simple rule. Paul at PS Audio has done a few very helpful videos on the subject, which explain how to match the two. Here’s a link to one of them: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a8mhfpdi0rDDZ4E.html I hope that helps you out a bit. All the best to you! ✌️🎶🙂🔊 P.S. I’m sure that if someone else reads this, they may have more to add regarding the subject of matching amps and preamps, but more importantly matching all of the components in your system to achieve the best synergy possible between them. You also need to make sure your power amp matches well with your speakers too, in that the amp can properly drive the speakers, which you most likely already know. 👍

@@jessielees I have an SLP-98p paired with a Cary SA200.2 solid state amp and love it.

@@jessielees Btw, I’m running a Schiit Freya + going balanced into a Parasound A23+ amp (tube pre into SS) into a pair of Tekton Pendragons, and it sounds glorious to me. My source is a KAB modded and upgraded Technics SL1200 Mk5 turntable into a Tavish phono pre (tube based). What are you running with that Denon, which looks really nice, btw?

Don’t feel so bad now here in Colombia. But don’t imagine Argentina is quite the audiophile wasteland as here.

Knob twiddlin’.

I immediately denied denied denied. In my case now ex-wife.

Go and listen to those who have a good system with tube amps.......bring your own beloved music and also some you think they are problematic....Judge for yourself.....tube loving people often also love good wine....

Cool story. 😎

Wassup Steve! Winston Salem here. Gonna check these out.

How bout that! 😎👍

Hi D.E. Cooney; Jeff in Atlanta- I gave up my XP30; XP22 and used my SLP98 with First Watt F4, SIT-3, XA-25, until I got frustrated with remotes and tried a MicroZotl Pre and fell towards that. SLP-98 is a bargain at $2000 used market and I think the 6SN7’s which I still use in my MicroZotl are a key ingredient.

@@haasmail1 what did you prefer over the LTA?

LOL you beat me to it!!

indeed or should I say 1nd33d ;-)

One in a million.

I have one , for me the best

All tubes are not equal even if the numbers say so.

Remember what he said about his Pass Labs preamp? That's why (or at least, part of why). : )

Showing us you caught that? :)

I’d like to know that as well

Ahh...the sweet dulcet tones of TG

Well, I reviewed a few, please google my name and linear tube audio

next time, even better: “Great nostalgic look at this nice preamp Steve, thank you! Btw the Sinatra/Ellington album label is “Reprise” ;-) “

Yeah, I am a tube guy. Been solid state for years before I changed to the valves of utter musical beauty. However, Steve's comparison of valves vs solid state was not an accurate one IMO. Yes, solid state is more towards the reproductive sounds of live performances, but tubes create a sense of warmth and holographical presence that live performances create. This is why hybrids are are getting more attention these days. My system is pure tube. From the transport (CD) to the pre/pro, everything is tubes. It is highly revealing. Solid state tends to be very neutral. Lack of coloration is not something I care for.

Teddy: I have used a vintage, upgraded Dynaco PAS-3X with the Zen. It provided welcome gain but I don’t think my current tube complement was the best it could be. The Zen is (as you probably know and from Steve’s review) accurate and transparent, though not clinical like some solid state amps can be. I think a *good* tube preamp can be a good match, but there’s always synergy and taste to consider, as well as budget as you mentioned. The reason I liked the gain provided by the Dyna was that my speakers haave about 90db sensitivity. The setup is in a small room, so I’m not lacking for loudness level, but the extra *headroom* provided by the preamp’s gain was welcome. Once I get some new/different tubes for the Dyna I’m going to reinsert it into the system and see what I think. Of course, a preamp usually provides you with more input sources should you need more othan the two that the Zen offers. Note: I use a Tavish phono stage for LPs, so haven’t really evaluated the upgraded phono section in the Dyna yet. If you need a preamp that includes phono stage, then of course your options are more limited and more costly, whether solid state or tube. The Zen is such a good little amp that finding a good preamp within a limited budget can be a challenge. If all you need is more volume, then shopping for much more efficient speakers might be something to consider. Cheers and good luck.

Teddy, I don't know how much it takes to break your bank, but Audio by Van Alstine has three preamps, both tubed and SS for under a $1000. Schiit's Freya offers both tubed and SS output or tubed in the Saga pre.

Valves are superior in every way

@@edwardbalboa5528 The only tube on my 2 channel I'd consider is ARC and really I don't want to spend $10K+ for one of their proper amps. I'm very happy with Hegel SS pushing my maggies along with my r2r dac. I've tried multiple tube amps in my headphone rig and hated every one of them. Viva Egoista 845 or Wa 33 would be great but don't have that kind of cash to burn.

I have First Watt and Pass amps, but I miss tube Jadis quite a lot..

Then why buy tube components, sold state is easier to live with.

A good question, I love both. For most, I think well-engineered SS components are the way to go. Nonetheless, of the preamps I auditioned for my two-channel rig (BAT VK 42se vs 32se) I found I preferred the midrange and vocals out of the tube centered 32se. It is the same with McIntosh SS vs Tube preamps. However, I do not wish to rabbit trail onto the SS versus Tube debate. The comment was to point out that not all Tube preamps and amplifiers have that same velvet lushness in the midrange that is historically associated with tube gear. While still musical, I found that the ARC, Mac, and Zesto components tend to lean towards accuracy over sweetness. To my ear they sound very different from the Cary and should be auditioned first, before assuming it is going to have that coveted “Tubey” sound. You bring up a good point. If you have an interest in gear from these three forementioned brands. One should audition a Preamp from the likes of Pass Labs, Mark Levinson, Pathos, you name it. If you land on something you like equally well. You just saved yourself the hassle and expense of retubing. Not a frequent thing on Preamps but on big tube Mono-Blocks be ready to factor in the expense and if no autobias, adjusting it.

I no longer have the Decware, passed on to another reviewer. It was First Watts J2, F7, and SIT 3

Steve has been happily married for a long time. Ain't gonna happen.

The thing about tubes is you can change the sound which is both a blessing and a curse. It's more of a curse if you don't like to experiment. What I've been doing lately is converting vinyl to CD via my tube preamp with the really nice Mullard 12AX7 in the phono section. They sound so sweet when played back on the SS system like a cherry on top

Perfection is paying 5K for the band to come and play for you in your living room.

@@HareDeLune check out the Iron Cross. I think you are onto something with private performances but even there gotta keep your distance lol

@@JohnDoe-np3zk I like the Iron Cross! Andreea really outdid herself in yesterday's video. They just keep getting better.

@@HareDeLune yeah they really do and the videos are trippy as well. Fun stuff.

Man, I couldn't disagree more. No offence, but, you sound more like a sceptical person whom refuses to try tubes, a bit like these folk that say all cables, sound the same.

What's for diner tonight ?

It’s a preamp, not an amp. No watts per channel.

200000🤓

Wouldn't buy nothing audio related from China lol

There's more to it than just the cost of the parts you goof.