tubalizer..

[assasukasse]

I was thinking about making a nice tubalizer for my amp, in order to get a nice tube sound, is it easy to make?
the best approach would be a tube buffer or a tube preamp?
and what is the max power i can use? (a scheme would be appreciated! )
Thanks

[rcavictim]

I run SS sources and SS preamplifier/control amps. I have found that the power amp is where tubes make the most benefit if you desire tube sound. Get yourself a nice integrated tube amp, or build one.

If you are using a SS receiver now that has U-links allowing direct access to the control amp output, that can be your new control amp for the tube power amp.

Without knowing the efficiency of your speakers, the impedance, how big a room do you need to fill and how loud, and to some extent the type of music you listen to (headbanging metal or rock needs more power than jazz), it will be difficult to point you in a specific direction regarding a tube power amp.

[kevinkr]

Adding a tube stage between an existing solid state pre-amp and solid state power amp may warm up the sound slightly, but in no sense will it give you any of the real virtues of tube sound. More sort of like adding a thin veneer over the lowest grade of plywood..

I recommend borrowing a good tube amplifier if you can get your hands on one and deciding whether or not this is the direction you want to go in.