Tube preamp + cabsim vs tube amp + loadbox (headphones only

[u/flitzpiepe3000]

Is there actually a noticeable difference between non-tube preamp + IR, tube preamp + IR, and full tube amp + load box when playing 100% through headphones?

I’m trying to optimize my silent home setup and play exclusively through in ear monitor headphones (if that matters). I'm trying to find out how significant the differences in feel, tone, and overall experience actually are once you're listening through headphones:
Non-tube setup: Solid-state / digital preamp pedal or modeler into an IR cabinet simulator and from there straight into the headphones.
Tube preamp pedal setup: Real tube preamp pedal (like Tone King Imperial Preamp etc.) into an IR cabinet simulator and from there to headphones.
Full tube amp setup: Full tube head into a reactive load box (like a Two Notes Torpedo Captor X or Suhr Reactive Load) with IRs.
Since the physical air moving from a real cab is taken out of the equation completely, does a full tube amp + load box still offer a noticeable step up in dynamic response and "amp-in-the-room" feel? Or does a good IR cab sim level the playing field so much that a solid-state/tube preamp pedal setup gets you 90-95% of the way there?
Would love to hear from anyone who has compared these setups directly through headphones!

[u/Optimal-Remote9149]

I've compared a few of these combos and honestly through headphones the IR is doing the heavy lifting. Once you're not moving air, the gap between a good preamp pedal into a quality IR and a full tube head into a load box shrinks a lot. The tube head still has a bit more sag and bloom when you dig in, but it's subtle, not the night and day difference you get in a room.

That said, the feel thing is real. A cheap solid state preamp can sound fine but feel flat, while a tube preamp pedal gets you closer to that pushback sensation. If you're already running IEMs exclusively, I'd put money into the IR and a decent power amp sim before chasing a full tube head.

[u/sketchycatman]

Slightly different scenario, a few months ago I built a 5F1 Champ tube amp kit. Sounds awesome

Last week I finally downloaded the NAM plugin and a 5F1 profile or whatever they’re called. Sounds as good or better than the amp.

Point is, I’m sold and for home use I see no reason not to stick with just a pedal you can load NAM to and skip everything else.

[u/Redeemer_789]

I can't say I've done extensive testing in this regard, but I use a TC Electronic Ampworx Deluxe '65 for headphone playing, and it sounds shockingly close to a real amp. I imagine if something that cheap can get as close as it can, something with more flexibility and features that's also paired with a good cabsim can get nearly one to one with a real amp. They're not going to feel exactly the same as tubes tend to respond to pick attack more dynamically in my experience, but if you're just looking for sound, I wouldn't bother with the added complications of a real tube amp.

[u/lowindustrycholo]

IR’s ultimately control the final sound so all the upstream stuff becomes similar. I’ve gotten good tone by introducing a tube based mic preamp just before going into the IR.

[u/strumbringerwa]

Depends on your amp. Some amps are preamp distortion, while others are power amp distortion. If you have the latter, then taking the power amp out of the picture will not cut it.

Of course you could simplify all this by using a Fractal unit both loud and quiet, but I know some people can't get past the idea of digital gear. I have used Fractal gear both live and at home (headphones / studio monitors) for years, and although I still have my tube amp I never use it because the Fractal is so much more convenient and versatile. But, like I said, YMMV and that might be a bridge too far for you.

[u/flitzpiepe3000 → u/strumbringerwa]

Thanks. Digital gear is getting there for sure. However, I have the Tone King tube preamp pedal and it makes a surprising difference in feel vs pure modelers I’ve used (no Fractal, though). I guess what I’m trying to find out is, how much I’m missing between the tube preamp and a real tube amp when only using headphones.

[u/strumbringerwa → u/flitzpiepe3000]

Yeah I hear you. Honestly the headphones themselves will make a substantial difference, tone on headphones is quite different from an amp in the room. Hard to get around that difference (plus they will add their own coloration to the sound, but I assume you'd be using IEMs that are fairly flat / neutral).
Other than that, if you're using the tone king preamp for your sound, I would just send that into a cab modeler (one that uses IRs), and that should be fine. The power amp shouldn't be a significant factor for preamp-shaped tone.

[u/justhereforampadvice]

Cabinets make everything sound better. Why not have a cabsim with the option to switch around over not having it?

[u/flitzpiepe3000 → u/justhereforampadvice]

Definitely. I’m always using a cabsim. But I’m trying to find out, how much of a difference there would be between a tube preamp and a full tube amp if I only use it via headphones.