What has more of a sound quality effect- preamp or power tubes?

[pbman1953]

I have 3 main amps-


Traynor YBA-3- 4 Tung Sol (New Sensor)6550's-  Amperex Bugle Boy 12ax7


Sunn 2000s- 4- KT-120's ( New Sensor)-  GE 12ax7


Fender (Sunn) 300 Pro (aka 300T)- 6- Valve Art 6550's- Sylvania and Ge 12ax7's




I'm curious what stage has the most effect on sound quality. Even though the Fender has so much more power that the other 2 and having many more eq'ing tools , the Traynor and the Sunn sound much better. 












 

[jjasilli]

1st stage sets the tone for the amp.  KOC advocates that the preamp can be designed to produce any & all guitar tones, with the PA giving merely a clean boost.  IMHO, the PA can & should be used for tone shaping; but the PA can work only with the signal it receives.  The preamp can do all kinds of things with signal.