ggdelarge wrote:

So I'm not quite happy with the sound of my current system and am thinking maybe I need an upgrade at my pre-amp stage to a tube pre-amp. Here's my current setup ...

Xpression iii --> Moon 110 LP --> Dared i-30 --> Totem Sttaf (In a rather large room with high ceilings)

I'd say the sound is decent with quiet music, but falls apart on anything big or loud. I don't think it sounds full either (the giant room could be working against me here too).

So... although people like the 110 LP, I feel like I might be losing some of the best tube sounds can offer. I'm also running stock tubes in my Amp (and hear that upgrading this unit's tubes makes a big difference).

So whatcha guys think? Swap out the Preamp? upgrade my tubes? both? something else?

The answer is rather obvious; your power amplifier is not capable of putting out the kind of peak power your speakers need. It is way too small.

The single 5.5-inch driver of your speakers is also rather small. You are simply expecting a level of performance from both the speakers and amplifier that they are not capable of. One 5.5-inch driver is simply not capable of moving that large a volume of air, which severely restricts both bass output and overall loudness; especially in any large room.

The preamp is certainly NOT causing the problem you are concerned with.

You need to look at speakers with two or 3 6.5-inch or larger drivers, like for example the PSB Image T6 or the KEF Q700 speakers (or Totem Wind).

In a tube amplifier, you would need to go to something like the Jolida 801 amplfier, which puts out 70 watts per channel.

You seem to be expecting Big Dog performance from some little puppies.