What comes firs, the chicken or the egg

So I need some input.
I own a Dynaco Pat5 and a Dynaco ST400 that I built many years ago, in the late 70's. Still works great.
I want to build a tube preamp and power amp.
So since I can't buy both at the same time$$, which would you build first? Pre or Amp? Either one would hook to existing equipment until I get both built.

Thanks

mikej497 wrote:So I need some input.
I own a Dynaco Pat5 and a Dynaco ST400 that I built many years ago, in the late 70's. Still works great.
I want to build a tube preamp and power amp.
So since I can't buy both at the same time$$, which would you build first? Pre or Amp? Either one would hook to existing equipment until I get both built.

Thanks

I would start with the poweramp, your existing PAT5 has no problems driving one.
But don't route the speakers through the PAT5 as it might interrupt the load.

don't route the speakers )

Peter, What ??

Dale Stevens wrote:don't route the speakers )

Peter,  What ??

PAS5 has a speaker switch mechanism. Using that might introduce open
outputs, whch a tube amp often has problems with. My suggestion is to
ignore the PAS5 speaker routing ( which might be a bad idea anyway)

peterh wrote:

mikej497 wrote:So I need some input.
I own a Dynaco Pat5 and a Dynaco ST400 that I built many years ago, in the late 70's. Still works great.
I want to build a tube preamp and power amp.
So since I can't buy both at the same time$$, which would you build first? Pre or Amp? Either one would hook to existing equipment until I get both built.

Thanks

I would start with the poweramp, your existing PAT5 has no problems driving one.
But don't route the speakers through the PAT5 as it might interrupt the load.

Thanks so much for the input. I was thinking the same thing and the reassurance is great.

My next choice is amp.
I have a couple of Martin Logan XT60's that I like the sound of.
I was thinking of the st70 or possibly two mono block's, any advice on that?
Maybe some day some electrostatics from ML.

just my own opinion of course, but I always think the preamp (other than speakers) is the most important component the system, as well as source.
Power amp has the least influence on sonic output, but it is easier to build than a preamp.

Firs first, or at least conifers, at 300 million years ago, first eggs right about then too but no birds until about 60 Mya. So firs, egg, then chicken. And get the preamp,

.

Thanks for all the inputs.
After doing more research I am going to start with a good preamp then the two mono blocks.
Going to be fun.

mikej497 wrote:Thanks for all the inputs.
After doing more research I am going to start with a good preamp then the two mono blocks.
Going to be fun.

Congrats, your journey has begun !

Make sure the preamp you choose can drive your st400 which has 50k input impedance!
Not all tubeamps can drive such low impedance.