[vpolineni]

I'm trying to decide whether to buy a tube or ss preamp for my system.  I use it primairly (99%) for music but also watch a movie once a week or so.  I don't have a receiver or anything and just watch in 2-channel.  Does watching a movie through a tube preamp hurt the preamp in anyway?  Does the movie sound weird at all (blasts, sound effects, etc)?  I'd appreciate any input on this.  thanks.

[electricbear]

Based upon the fact that there are several high end tube pre/pros and receivers out there the answer is most definately yes. Come by the store sometime and I'll demonstrate .

[DavidS]

Do exactly what you want to do all the time.  I run my dvd player and subwoofer into my Mapletree Line 3 tube preamp and have no problems.  Watched Van Helsing on Friday night and was great sounding with lots of explosions, interesting noises, lots of low end rumbling.  Also love good music movie dvds like Kill Bill or Kissing Jessica Stein.  Would love surround just for movies but its pretty darn good with just two monitors, a sub, and my $150 Toshiba dvd player IMO.

David

[vpolineni]

thanks for the advise... i was hoping you'd say that movies somehow damage the preamp-easing my way to a ss preamp.. ahh, decisions decisions  

[zybar]

I'm trying to decide whether to buy a tube or ss preamp for my system.  I use it primairly (99%) for music but also watch a movie once a week or so.  I don't have a receiver or anything and just watch in 2-channel.  Does watching a movie through a tube preamp hurt the preamp in anyway?  Does the movie sound weird at all (blasts, sound effects, etc)?  I'd appreciate any input on this.  thanks.

I think it can sound good if the preamp is good.  Tubes won't make your movies less enjoyable, but they might make your 2 channel better.

George

[byteme]

I've been doing it for 2 years with one tube amp or another.  It's easy to calibrate everthing, especially with a stepped attenuator, which both of my preamps during this time have had.  The only real drawback or putzy thing is you can't use a remote for power on.  But, I've got the same thing with my 5 channel amp, no remote.  So I have to go up there anyway.

For the benefits to two channel with the deHavilland - it's a no brainer.

[vpolineni]

I've been doing it for 2 years with one tube amp or another.  It's easy to calibrate everthing, especially with a stepped attenuator, which both of my preamps during this time have had.  The only real drawback or putzy thing is you can't use a remote for power on.  But, I've got the same thing with my 5 channel amp, no remote.  So I have to go up there anyway.

For the benefits to two channel with the deHavilland - it's a no brainer.

brian,
  i'm a tad confused.  are you describing what you did before you had your denon pre/pro?  i don't have any receiver or pre/pro.. i would watch the movie through my 2-channel gear.

[byteme]

Sorry.  I've got the tube preamp in the middle of the 2 and 7 channel system.

For two channel it runs like this, from source to output:  

7700
Tubedac
Ultraverve Input 1
Stratos
speakers

For 7 channel it runs

DVD / HD Sat receiver
Denon 3802 pre/pro
  From the Denon it goes to either:

      (Center/Side/Rear) - pre out to Sherwood Newcastle 5channel amp
or
      (L/R main) - pre out to Ultraverve input 2
      (L/R main) - Ultraverve to Stratos

And then each to their respective pair / set of speakers.
Speakers.

Does that clear things up?  If not, let me know.

[vpolineni]

thanks for the clarification brian.  so ultimately the signal passes through your dehavilland (using tubes, etc) to your stratos.. for me it would be:
dvd player--->preamp (tube or ss)---> stratos---> loreleis
in the end our situations are somewhat similar then if i were to use a preamp.. i guess i can factor out this variable in my decision then.

[byteme]

thanks for the clarification brian.  so ultimately the signal passes through your dehavilland (using tubes, etc) to your stratos.. for me it would be:
dvd player--->preamp (tube or ss)---> stratos---> loreleis
in the end our situations are somewhat similar then if i were to use a preamp.. i guess i can factor out this variable in my decision then.

I would, or at least, I do.  Since the Stratos powers the mains this is the easiest way to work things.  And I never have to worry that 2 channel isn't as pure as possible and sounds as good as it can.  Not to mention what the Lor's do for movies with a good center!

[randog]

Sure would like to try that ultraverve, but it's too rich for my blood!