OT: Tube Audio - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

20 Oct 2005

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Subject: Re: OT: Tube Audio
   From: "Chuck Guzis" <cclist at sydex.com>
   Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 23:08:47 -0700
     To: cctalk at classiccmp.org

On 10/19/2005 at 10:19 PM Zane H. Healy wrote:

 OK, since there seem to be a fair amount of people
into Tube audio, 
or at least with a knowledge of it.  Would someone care to explain 
the following to someone that is used to an all in one unit such as a 
Sony Receiver.  What is the purpose of separate Amp and Pre-Amps.  I 
think I understand the whole phono pre-stage, but I've yet to find a 
decent explanation of the rest, and I'm looking to switch to tubes 
for playback of records (primarily Vinyl, but I'm also interested in 
78's). 
Purely from memory, but I believe one generally used a separate pre-amp
mostly due to hum issues.  The power supply for the preamp could make use
of lower plate voltages, better regulation and DC heater supplies.

Or so I think I recall.

Cheers,
Chuck

No.  Gads, creating answers revisionistically. Rare back then was a preamp 
with DC heaters.  Besides without the oxygen free stabilized cables how 
could you appreciate it. ;)

The same preamp could be used with different power amps.  Also
Not all preamps were the same depending on the source used 
(mag cart, moving coil or variable reluctance or even ceramic)
and the response curve requred. Many amps contained the required
preamp, some didn't.  Generally the larger ones didn't due to size.
As the stereo system could have the preamps, volume and tone controlls
for user convenience and the power amp (the large, heavy and hot)
located elsewhere.  Back in the 60s I knew a few people that were
into serious audio and the power amp was in the basement, it produced
too much heat, large and was ugly.   Back then a good FM (maybe even stereo)
reciever was often seperate as well.

Component audio was that way.  

Just like component computers. 

Allison