Advantage of Valve Preamp?

[Lloyd1986]

I have an old Technics Integrated amp that works quite well that I picked up for $10. Its 75watts RMS per channel, its plugged into my computer which I used to play cd's and mp3. Now I was looking through the Jaycar catalog and they have a nice little Valve pre-amp kit thats looks really nice and I would like to buy it just to experiment. I was just wondering if there would be any advantage of plugging this inline with my intergrated amp? I know it already has a pre-amp inside it and im asuming my sound car would too, so what could I use this Valve pre-amp for? Is it worth spending $90 on?? Thanks for your help

[analog_sa]

what could I use this Valve pre-amp for

In the setup you describe this extra pre will just add a bit more noise and distortion, reduce the channel separation and generate heat. On the plus side it will glow in the dark.

[Sherman]

Originally posted by analog_sa


...On the plus side it will glow in the dark.

That alone might be worth it! Nothing like that warm thermionic glow!

[planet10]

Which JayCar kit... there was a discussion about such a unit in another thread. If it is the same one, then i'd recommend against it...

What does the pre-amp section of the Technics look like? Can you easily get at just the poweramp -- or would you need to do surgery?

Replacing the pre section of the technics with a good tube pre could well give better results -- if you actually need the pre given that the signal out of your PeeCee can probably drive the power amp section directly.

dave

[pho_boi]

This is the one the he/she is talking about:

http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30804/article.html

http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_100628/article.html

[Lloyd1986]

If you search for an exact phrase from one of those articels in google and click on the link you can see the whole article.

Do you people think it sounds like a decent Valve Pre-Amp? Could i have an advantage replacing the pre-amp in my integrated amp with those tube amps or would it just look cool? Btw, my amp is a Technics SU-Z15.

Thanks

[planet10]

Yes, you could probably improve the sound by replacing the Technics pre with a simple tube pre (can you get at just the power amp?), but there are quite a few that would best the 12AX7 one... ie Brett's 12B4 pre (a few threads on that one here)

dave

[skyraider]

Preamp are not needed unless you wants to do some 'processing' for the signal. For example, to produce balanced signal, tone/volume control, impedance matching, channel mixing, etc..

If you are a hi-fi nut, you might want a linestage to give warmth to your solid state gear. Thats what I do (even though im not hi-fi nut)

If you are going to ask 'what am i going to do with this valve preamp...', just forget about getting one.

But if you have money to burn, it is always nice to try something. I would recommend the 5687 'audionote' preamp which is good AND dirt cheap (isnt it amazing this comes together?)