Tube pre-amplifiers for big ole horns
With their ultra-high efficiency and amazingly low
distortion, big ole horns love tubes. Tube pre-amplifiers or amplifiers with
big ole horns make music, but only if you ignore conventional solid-state and
cone driver specifications. Let your ears do the listening. (Just look at the Total
Harmonic Distortion of a violin or trumpet – it is enormous!)
Many horn lovers think that tube pre-amplifiers are better
than tube amplifiers with big ole horns. They do have a point. It is a good way
to soften the harsh jitter of digital sources. And although the sheer wattage output
of amplifier doesn’t matter as much with ultra-efficient horns, even tiny class
T solid-state chip amplifiers, such as Red Wine, Trends or Sonic Impact, will still
provide plenty of bass control compared to all but the most beefy tube amplifiers.
So check out frequent forum poster Craig at his NOSvalves.com for ideas of vintage
integrated tube pre and power amplifiers. Vintage equipment must be checked
before judging it. Just like an old car that you are putting back on the road,
many of the worn parts need replacing. There is a wait while the unit is being refurbished,
but the result compares with far more expensive new equipment.
These vintage integrated amplifiers have a lot more going on
in them, and much more to offer than any of the modern integrated amplifier.
You get a REAL preamp section, with a PHONO
stage, FIXED bias which runs the output tubes properly, tube rectification, a
balance control and tone controls.
An integrated amplifier with pre-amplifier outputs will let
you run the horns either with tube power or with your existing solid-state amplifier.
Even better is passive dual-amplification, with tubes on the mid & high end
and solid-state amplifier on the bass bin. But that is a topic for another
discussion.
Tube pre-amplifier brands to look for are the same as the amplifiers.
Look for classic brands like Scott, Eico, Fisher, Pilot, Dynaco, HK, Heathkit,
Bogen, Knight, possibly Quad, Quicksilver. Consider new ones like ASL
and Cayin. Certainly the excellent pre-amplifiers of the now sadly defunct
Juicy Music. See my EnjoyTheMusic.com
review.
You could also investigate better placement, nicer cables
and room treatments. All of which will make your big ole horns sing like no
other low cost musical solution can do.
Posted: 12/19/2003 4:57 PM 10/30/2009