[Audiosaurusrex]

Hello all. A few questions maybe you can help with.  I have a little known SS SPL Director/Performer Combo with the matching Phonos . The Performer Amp has balanced inputs and pushes 285 into 4 ohms. I am driving Spatial M3 Sapphires and have read great things about pairing with tubes. So I'm looking to pair it with a nice tub preamp or possibly switch altogether and just get a tube integrated. I see some preamps like Tortuga that only offer single ended inputs, How does this work with a stereo line source?
Is it worth it (sound wise) just getting a tube preamp with my SPL Performer or should I consider a tube integrated?
Thanks Everyone!

[musicdre]

i hate to be this guy, but it all depends.  on the particular tube pre, the particular tube integrated, and your tastes/preferences.   in my short-ish time with the M3s, i've used various: ss pre/tube amp; tube integrated; and ss integrated; and ALL sound great on the M3s.  somewhat different tho in the subtleties.  and thats where preference comes in.

have fun experimenting.

[Audiosaurusrex]

i hate to be this guy, but it all depends.  on the particular tube pre, the particular tube integrated, and your tastes/preferences.   in my short-ish time with the M3s, i've used various: ss pre/tube amp; tube integrated; and ss integrated; and ALL sound great on the M3s.  somewhat different tho in the subtleties.  and thats where preference comes in.

have fun experimenting.

Thanks, yes I understand that. Do you know how the single ended inputs are supposed to work? How are you liking the AC’s I sent?

[twitch54]

Thanks, yes I understand that. Do you know how the single ended inputs are supposed to work? How are you liking the AC’s I sent?

single ended, RCA ..... one in the same in so far as IC's are concerned.

[Audiosaurusrex]

single ended, RCA ..... one in the same in so far as IC's are concerned.

twitch54,
So a preamp like the Tortuga doesn’t seem to have stereo inputs? Or are they just side by side?

[Audiosaurusrex]

Feel stupid. Upon looking closer at the back of the unit it didn’t have a conventional layout but is labeled left and right. sorry everyone.

[twitch54]

Feel stupid. Upon looking closer at the back of the unit it didn’t have a conventional layout but is labeled left and right. sorry everyone.

not at all, that's the beauty of being able to talk things thru, all good !

[Delta77]

So far in my experience Matching a preamp to an amp is not exactly plug and play, some work good together, some don't..

The few I've worked with are , Decware, Aric Audio, Odyssey, Don Sachs, Tortuga..
4 out of the 5 I've tried worked good, 1 just didn't.. I don't know why..