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I have a Peachtree Decco integrated amp that has a tube preamp stage. I have never been able to hear the difference with the tube on or off. Because I previously had a tube amp and loved the organic quality of sound, I decided to insert a well-reviewed ifi I tube in the chain after the Peachtree but before the amplifier. Instantly I can hear the itube's tube sound. Anyone know why it is inaudible in the Peachtree? I've even upgraded the tube in the Peachtree to an Amperex and still no difference.
Also, I had Audirvana Plus previously installed and running and it totally negated the sound of the tube in the ifi itube. Got rid of Audirvana and tube sound returns. Any reason as to why that would happen is also appreciated.
Thanks for help!
Follow Ups:
Much like everyone has already stated, inserting the "ifi" unit in the chain is perhaps the best you're going to do with the given equipment.
I was curious and looked up some info on the net. Apparently the tube works best when listening to Spotify and other Cloud source recordings to smooth out any rough edges. I'm not sure if that's what you are doing the A/B with? Even so, I came across a review that said the difference in sound is negligible whether the tube is on or off.I just read the one review. I guess you could explore further through Google or maybe someone here on the Asylum has one, as you are hoping.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
Edits: 09/30/15
With the amplifier being solid state it will have the most effect on the sound. You might try some more sensitive speakers to hear the difference with the tube preamp stage in then out. cheers, Dak
I have a Peachtree Decco integrated amp that has a tube preamp stage.
Not entirely as it is a hybrid design. IIRC, the lone tube is employed only as a buffer following the SS gain stage. Most of the voicing is determined by the gain devices.
Not really knowing exactly what I AM talking about - here it goes.
Even thou you have a tubed preamp it may not mean you will get a tube sound. True some functions will offer a lot in the way of tube rolling.
However if you tubes function is a phase splitter then you may not ear anything or very little in the way of the tubes effect.
Just a wild shot in the dark.
charles
Phase splitter tube? What does that mean? I like the sound of tubes, but literally know nothing about them. So you are suggesting that if my tube is just a "phase splitter" that it should not still sound any different than the solid state circuit option on the same unit? If that is the case, then why would Peachtree even bother giving the user the option?
The phase splitter is an essential stage in Push-Pull power amp circuits. Most of the time, it's a fairly colorless stage. I've rolled many tubes in guitar amps, and I'm hard-pressed to tell the difference between tubes except if they have different characteristics, tested parameters, or wildly different construction types (so, a 5751 versus a Sylvania long plate 12AX7; or, weak versus strong tubes).
As for your amp and why they used a tube, well, ask yourself the same question with the Samsung tubed soundbar. It's for show. It's like others explained: most of the gain and tone shaping is present early in the circuit and is done by transistor amplification. Having a tube so late in the amp's staging is like driving a new hybrid car with a vintage fuel injection system for show.
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May your tubes be warm, long-lasting, and always lively. Holy be thy heater.
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