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Are tubed phono stages noisier as a broad sweeping generalization?

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Relative vinyl newbie here, long time audio nut.

I own 3 phono stages, a tubed Bellari, a tubed Project Tube Box 2, and a "built into my preamp" solid state MM phono stage in my Threshold. When comparing the 3 for noise levels only (i.e. cranking them up LOUD with no LP spinning or cranking them LOUD during quiet LP passages or between tracks) the Bellari is the noisiest of the 3 with an midrangy type "wishy washy" noise; the Tube Box 2 is the second noisiest with a 40Hz"ish" hum (not your typical 60Hz deal)but little midrange noise; and the Threshold is the quietest with very little noise at all at the same given volume.

Is the noise I am hearing more related to the "tube topology" vs. "solid state topology" in a phono preamp or is it more of the, "hey those are $350 or less phono stages and your Threshold was big bucks" type of thing?

I want to use the tubed phono stages (I use tube amps) but am put off a bit by their backround noise. It's very mildly audible in between tracks or during quiet classical passages. If I didn't have the Threshold, I'd probably think nothing of the backround noise but it's "one of those things".

Just curious as to what others have noticed....


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Topic - Are tubed phono stages noisier as a broad sweeping generalization? - jjk12 15:37:16 04/16/07 (20)


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