Originally Posted by Publius

For a very long time I was using a CS3 compressor before the preamp of my DSL100. Yesterday I decided to place it after the preamp, in the FX loop I did saw a change in sound. The compressor did not pushed the preamp tubes but the amps tubes.
Notice that I did not change the settings on the CS3 in order to see the difference. The sound was not thin as the CS3 tends to make it but the attack was different not actually bad but not quite right for my ears. Sustain on the other hand was far clearer.
Now I know there is no right or wrong regarding the taste in sound but is there technical aspect that I may need to consider. Will compression at the final stage of the amp wear off the tubes faster? Are there any other aspects to consider? Has anyone done that before?


P.S. CS3 generates even more noise at that stage especially on gain channel but I think over time I will be able to overcome that problem by purchasing a Keeley or a T-Rex comps that are so noisy and don't color the sound.