Do Different Preamp Volumes Work the Tubes Differently?

falconcry72
falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
edited September 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Just received my first piece of tubed audio gear today:biggrin::

- an ARC LS-15 Preamp :cool:

Does running the volume louder on the Preamp "work" or "use" the tubes more?

I ask because the balanced ouput from my DAC is obviously a lot stronger than the SE output, so when I run balanced, I keep the volume on the preamp at about 25%, but when I run SE, I keep the volume closer to 50%.

So does running SE, with the volume set twice as high, use the tubes more, or impart more tube flavor onto the signal?

I could see this as being a good or bad thing, depending on what you were trying to achieve.


Thanks, tube gurus!:smile:
2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited September 2011
    It has been a long time since I have worked with hardware, but let me try to explain this. If this is wrong I am sure someone will correct it. :wink:

    Let's look at this from an electrical perspective. A signal comes into the pre at some voltage level, and leaves at another level. The electronics involved, including the tubes, amplify this signal. So, if one input has a voltage input of 1, another input has a voltage level of 2, and the output voltage is 5 for both inputs, then most of the electronics will be doing the same work for both inputs. The primary difference will be the resistance setting of the volume control (usually some type of variable resistor). After the signal leaves the volume control it will be the same level whether from input A or input B. Without seeing a schematic I would guess that the tubes are in the circuit after the volume control, so both inputs work the tubes the same, assuming the output level is the same for both inputs.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited September 2011
    IIRC, balanced out is higher gain than unbalanced. Like 3dB or more. I can and have run balanced, but my current pre is not balanced. You are driving them harder/higher with more gain. You'll be the first to know when you run out of power.:biggrin:

    Oh, congrats on the new gear!
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited September 2011
    SE will impart more tube flavor to the signal. It is the nature of the beast.
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