Tube Conditioner vs Tube Pre-amp (or both)?

Gary95762 · « **on:** 24 Sep 2025, 06:37 pm »

Yes, going with other's experiences, I would like to see what the opinion is on this.
I am planning on going with a solid state amp but want a tube pre-amp. (similar to what I am getting with my McIntosh MA12000).
If I go with a dedicated tube pre, do you think adding one of those tube conditioners, such as the "cryo tone" counter the effects of the tube pre, would it make it even sweeter (with something like the Primaluna EVO400) or be unnoticeable?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Bodhi · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Sep 2025, 06:45 pm »

I know my Dealer is selling a lot of Modwright Analogue Bridges. That is a cool devices which adds tube virtues to a solid state system without any negatives - https://www.modwright.com/products/analog-bridge/

galyons · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Sep 2025, 01:20 am »

Everything that you add to the component mix adds distortion to the musical fidelity. A tube line stage with a sand based amp is usually a good combination, capturing the characteristics of both technologies. I would avoid adding any extraneous device(s) to avoid polluting the fidelity. Of course, as in all things, YMMV!

Cheers,
Geary

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Sep 2025, 07:26 am »

Curious about what you feel is currently missing from your system. You've started threads about low wattage Pass amplifiers, upgrading streamers, and possibly changing from your integrated to separates. Are you lacking anything in particular? Musicality, tonal density, soundstaging, etc. Are you hearing things in friends systems you like better than yours?

Gary95762 · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Sep 2025, 10:38 pm »

I love this thread. Yes, I have started a few threads.
As far as what I am missing. I am not sure it is as much about what I am missing as it is wanting more of what I am getting with the MA12000 and supporting equipt.
I went to a guys house recently and he had a million dollar system with all the room treatments and WOW. I think my system is great but that was incredible. Dark background, cleans sounding instruments.. Everything.
So, I wonder if a higher quality streamer will add to sound stage, clarity and holography and whether I could hear it if I got a "better" streamer.
According to McIntosh, they say I should go up to the C2800 pre and the MC462.. In essence getting more of what I get with the MA12000. With that, I wonder if I don't need to spend all that money on the C2800 and instead get a PrimaLuna EVO4000 and save some money over the Mac pre.
Maybe the combination of a different, less expensive high powered amp combined with the dedicated tube pre would give me "more".
There are so many combinations out there and so few places to go listen to equipment anymore (I plan to go to the next Axpona). So, I ask for opinions.
In my mind, I wonder what is the best high end bang for the buck. That is why I have asked the different questions in the different threads.
This is a quest and a desire that I often wonder if it can ever be satisfied. ever.
I love hearing people's thoughts though.
Thank you all for them

Early B. · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Sep 2025, 12:08 am »

Quote from: Gary95762 on 25 Sep 2025, 10:38 pm

I love this thread. Yes, I have started a few threads.
As far as what I am missing. I am not sure it is as much about what I am missing as it is wanting more of what I am getting with the MA12000 and supporting equipt.
I went to a guys house recently and he had a million dollar system with all the room treatments and WOW. I think my system is great but that was incredible. Dark background, cleans sounding instruments.. Everything.
So, I wonder if a higher quality streamer will add to sound stage, clarity and holography and whether I could hear it if I got a "better" streamer.
According to McIntosh, they say I should go up to the C2800 pre and the MC462.. In essence getting more of what I get with the MA12000. With that, I wonder if I don't need to spend all that money on the C2800 and instead get a PrimaLuna EVO4000 and save some money over the Mac pre.
Maybe the combination of a different, less expensive high powered amp combined with the dedicated tube pre would give me "more".
There are so many combinations out there and so few places to go listen to equipment anymore (I plan to go to the next Axpona). So, I ask for opinions.
In my mind, I wonder what is the best high end bang for the buck. That is why I have asked the different questions in the different threads.
This is a quest and a desire that I often wonder if it can ever be satisfied. ever.
I love hearing people's thoughts though.
Thank you all for them

Well, what you want requires a complete overhaul of your system and many more years of experimentation to come close to what you experienced at the guy's house you visited with the million dollar system. McIntosh gear is pretty and nostalgic, but for the same budget, you can do a lot better. We won't be much help, as you'll receive a bunch of different perspectives on what to buy and why. The only sure bet is that you'll spend 10x more than you think on a good system. The cabling alone will cost thousands.

The safe advice offered to newbies is to go with a tube pre and a SS amp, but the reasons given for doing that are superficial. Disregard it. The biggest advantage of solid-state gear is hassle-free operation. Tube gear is fussy, but many of us put up with it because it sounds different than SS gear, generally, and we prefer it. You have to determine which one you prefer, and that requires buying and trading out lots of components.