Well,
There were tubes before there was solid state, uh transistors. So your question is was all recordings, made with tube equipment noisy. For your answer find some recorded music done before solid state, circa early 60's and listen. Some early Elvis, Perry Como, Frank Sintra come to mind as well as tons of Classical Music. If you are experencing noise in your tube pre-amp you may try buying a new one and see if it is any better. I haven't looked any up recently but I believe one from Musician's Friend for about 29 dollars named Art Pre Amp or something like that is one you can try.


Ray E. Strode