[JDUBS]

Has anyone tried this combination?  There are a bunch of pretty cool active monitor speakers out there (wave guides and all!)...would be interested to hear a set paired up with a nice preamp. 

-Jim

[PMAT]

What kind of monitors? Do you mean DJ type or PA types?

[bpape]

I think he's referring to Studio Monitors like Dynaudios or Adams

Bryan

[fly_fish_nz]

I ran a tubed pre and a tubed cd player directly into a Blue Sky System One (integrated powered sub and monitors) to good effect, incredible dynamics, detail, and resolution - the best bang for the buck I've run across.  The System One has analog volume control built into the sub and each monitor, so I was able to forgo a pre if I liked, and with a good source the results were quite incredible for the $$. 

I've also run tubed preamps, tubed monos, and a tubed cd player (together and with solid state components) into Lipinski monitors, which are not powered, and loved the results - not as dynamic in lower registers as the System  and the monitors alone cost more than a full used system with the Blue Skys - but what clarity and presence!

[JDUBS]

I think he's referring to Studio Monitors like Dynaudios or Adams

Bryan

Yes, exactly right, Bryan 

-Jim

[JDUBS]

I ran a tubed pre and a tubed cd player directly into a Blue Sky System One (integrated powered sub and monitors) to good effect, incredible dynamics, detail, and resolution - the best bang for the buck I've run across.  The System One has analog volume control built into the sub and each monitor, so I was able to forgo a pre if I liked, and with a good source the results were quite incredible for the $$. 

I've also run tubed preamps, tubed monos, and a tubed cd player (together and with solid state components) into Lipinski monitors, which are not powered, and loved the results - not as dynamic in lower registers as the System  and the monitors alone cost more than a full used system with the Blue Skys - but what clarity and presence!

Cool.  Thanks for posting your experiences.   Sound like good one!

-Jim

[JakeJ]

FWIW, I am currently running a Quicksilver full-function preamp into a pair of Paradigm Active 40's in my 2.0 home theater setup. The rest of the system consists of a Sony DVP-S7000 DVD/CD player, an old Panasonic VHS and TV, and my trusty Kenwood KT-917 tuner. Both music and movies sound great.

JakeJ

[JLM]

This would seem to be a wonderful KISS system. 

I heard the Active 20s years ago and should have bought them.

[Doublej]

Plenty of choices. I would look into Alesis and Genelec. Lot of reviews here...

http://www.proaudioreview.com

[jimdgoulding]

I use a ARC line stage with self powered speakers and like it.  Dynamic, full bodied, and very dimensional.  I think anyone would agree.  It makes sense to me, too.  However, I think the input impedence of your amp should be on the high side to better match the output impedence of typical tube pre's.  And not all tube pre's are as quick as the ARC models.  VTL's are, I believe.  Jim

[mech]

if you have guitar center near you, you can listen to mackies and the dynaudios, i got the dynaudios, love them every day

[batmanslc2]

I tried the active route for a while with mackie hr-824, fantastic sound
only problem was I didn't get that emotional connection to the music
or something like that, much preferred quad 12 L or 22L or aci sapphire
in that general price range.
Glad I tried it though!

[JLM]

That is the catch with any studio monitors, they're designed to be extremely analytical.  So care is needed when selecting active (self-powered) monitors for home use.

[JDUBS]

That is the catch with any studio monitors, they're designed to be extremely analytical.  So care is needed when selecting active (self-powered) monitors for home use.

JLM, yep, this is my concern as well.  My hope is to "offset" some of the analytical nature of the monitors with the warmth that certain tube preamps can add.

I like the looks of the Genelec 8050a's.

-Jim