1: Tubes vs. SS vs Hibrids (11.66)
Posted by Frihed89 on 2005-08-14, 10:09:46 (62.243.188.9)
I have 2 questions: 1) Can someone point me to a good article on the general differences between the sound of tube, SS, and hibrid amps and 2) can someone explain if there are generalisable difference .......

2: RE: Can I use my receiver to control a tube/SS integrated?? (11.66)
Posted by Tadlo on 2008-03-04, 06:42:46 (192.160.165.63)
If you want to use your NAD for the tuner, tone controls, and other sources I would suggest getting tube power amp. The Jolida hybrid has a tube pre-amp and SS power amp. If you go the route you sugge .......

3: Of course! Mix 'n match either way can work nicely... (11.39)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2012-10-15, 11:45:14 (76.25.70.1)
I've gone SS pre into tube amps. Tube pre into SS amps. Passive pre into tube and SS amps. And no pre at all with my DAC directly driving a tube amp or SS amp. .......

4: Re: tube pre with SS amp (11.19)
Posted by BobM on 2003-08-25, 07:46:38 (167.230.38.7)
I have a tubed pre (Audio Prism Mantissa) and ss amp (McCormack DNA .5 near-Rev A). I find I have the best of both worlds this way, with some tube bloom and SS control. I can't say I've tried it the o .......

5: Tube Pre + SS Amp OR Tube Integrated? (11.08)
Posted by Real Prober on 2005-01-31, 22:45:45 (63.202.181.253)
Or probably quality Passive Pre + Tube Amp. Looking for warm, smooth, liquid tube sound with extra $1500 investment. I have JBL Horn Speakers with McIntosh SS Pre and SS Amp now. Please let me know yo .......

6: Tube pre with SS amp (10.73)
Posted by tellrpv on 2005-10-03, 14:26:41 (152.163.100.7)
Considering a tube pre-amp for my aragon 8008bb presently using a aragon aurum pre. I have been told that using a tube pre with a SS amp can offer the best of both worlds and that changing a pre-amp c .......

7: Mc preamps with Mc Tube amp (10.72)
Posted by toppingh on 2004-06-09, 09:27:20 (12.149.50.2)
What are the benefits and tradeoffs of using one of the new Mc SS pre's (vs. C2200) when paired with a new MC275? According the Paul S. of TAS last issue, he would lean towards a tube amp and either S .......

8: RE: General thoughts on running a SS Pre with Tube Amps (10.60)
Posted by mor2bz on 2010-06-24, 21:23:48 (199.254.238.4)
running both a tube pre and a tube power amp can result in too many tubes; soft mushy bass and rolled off highs. the best gear is going to be all tubes, but for midfi, the ss pre and tube power combo .......

9: Simaudio W-3 with tube pre? (10.56)
Posted by STEVE H on 2003-02-17, 14:16:53 (207.178.187.50)
I am thinking about trying a Simaudio W-3 or other SS amp to go along with my VAC Standard Pre. I am currently using the VAC PA100/100, but want to hear what a decent SS amp sounds like with the tube .......

10: RE: General thoughts on running a SS Pre with Tube Amps (10.36)
Posted by mbnx01 on 2010-06-23, 10:14:04 (68.2.231.233)
I find SS pre's are better at running subs that tube. I've used the SS pre/tube amp combo plenty of times. Nothing wrong with it. .......

11: Mixed - 1 tube amp - 1 ss amp - 1 tube pre - 1 passive pre (10.35)
Posted by uw312@aol.com on 2004-05-01, 14:25:20 (152.163.252.5)
Tube amp - Cary v12r SS amp - Sunfire Symph. Ref Tube pre - AVA T7es Passive pre - CI Audio .......

12: RE: Blending tube and solid state electronics.... (10.32)
Posted by Shane from AUS on 2010-06-26, 05:35:19 (121.218.61.55)
In my experience, you add a SS amp into a tube based system and it sounds way more SS than adding a SS pre amp. When I had my SS Mac pre amp coupled with the mac tube amps, the tube amps had the bigg .......

13: Re: SS Pre with Tube Amp (10.31)
Posted by GliderGuider on 2006-12-27, 17:45:28 (74.105.129.248)
I'm currently using a Tom Evans Vibe line stage with a pair of tube amps - an Audion Silver Night PX-25 and a Tom Evans Linear A. It sounds fantastic with both of them. With most SS/tube combinations .......

14: It has sold. My belief you need a Tube Power amp. (10.26)
Posted by Mechans on 2012-08-26, 12:48:33 (107.3.95.23)
I really do have the same problem some others have had. A tube amp sounds like a tube amp and Solid State amps sound like Solid State amps. Now yes I have heard some tube amps that come close to an SS .......

15: I'm referring to a ss amp and a tube pre. That's what I own. (10.25)
Posted by Rick W on 2007-12-18, 21:26:44 (69.203.74.114)
I have the CJ pv10 and a McCormack ss amp. I have to turn the amp off before I turn the pre off. Conversely, you turn the tube pre ON first, wait a few minutes, then turn the ss amp on. I'm not really .......

16: Mixed - SS pre, tube power, digital xover, SS subs (10.18)
Posted by Triodeuser on 2004-05-01, 10:08:38 (66.169.47.186)
SS preamp while finishing up the tube pre Tube power amp SS sub amp Digital crossover Regards Ken L .......

17: Re: Why would someone choose a pre-power set instead of an integrated??? (10.11)
Posted by Moldog on 2004-01-28, 16:16:07 (64.136.27.228)
To get a tube and ss combo; tube pre, ss amp or vice versa. I have a cj tube pre into my Krell amp. .......

18: RE: No issue (10.05)
Posted by groove on 2008-01-21, 09:45:21 (71.62.46.41)
I see no issue with running Tube pre w/SS amplification. Lots of opinions out there and each system/set up are different. However generally speaking, many will run SS amplification to get the control .......

19: RE: Amp/Pre Amp Combo's (10.03)
Posted by rpcoins on 2009-05-27, 05:53:36 (199.196.132.24)
I had an ARC 150.2 SS amp and an ARC tube preamp that had a wonderful synergy. I think if you can find a good matched pair (ss amp, tube pre) from the same manufacturer the sound is fantastic. I had t .......

20: If Tube Pre + Tube Amp = too warm and SS Pre + SS amp = too bright (9.99)
Posted by Presto on 2010-06-24, 13:05:29 (207.216.246.51)
Then your idea of a SS pre and tube amp might synergize very nicely!! Or a tube pre and a SS amp might be what the doctor ordered as well. In this case, you get the damping factor and slam of SS with .......

21: Re: SS Pre with tube amp (9.97)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2003-03-06, 18:27:24 (12.253.200.214)
My favorite combo so far has been a good solid-state (or passive) pre with my CJ tube amp. I've owned various tube preamps but find the SS/Tube combo to deliver a bit more transparency and punch while .......

22: Re: tube pre with SS amp (9.97)
Posted by Bigtuna on 2003-08-24, 00:52:07 (216.93.81.4)
This is exactly where I'm at now. I have a Rotel RC995 pre running a Rogue 88 tube amp and it sounds pretty good. But the Rotel in my estimation is a mid fi product and I have been searching out a new .......

23: Re: Tube pre + SS power amp or viceversa ? (9.85)
Posted by Jerry O on 2003-04-28, 12:45:06 (130.76.64.15)
The rule of thumb is to use tube pre and ss amp, if your speakers are a tough load. You generally get the best sound quality with this approach. I've used this approach for many years with numerous tu .......

24: RE: Tube pre amp & SS amp mix or.. (9.85)
Posted by AudioSoul on 2014-12-04, 10:29:39 (67.128.15.155)
I went with a tube pre and SS amp. I like low wattage SS amps so I chose an amp accordingly. The pre is a Counterpoint SA-3.1 and amp is a David Belles amp two (50 watts)they sound great together dr .......

25: RE: I think you might like it better .. (9.84)
Posted by Mechans on 2012-05-17, 09:12:45 (174.62.161.47)
I agree that there is no good reason not to use the Hafler SS pre. In general people tend to ignore the SS fre with tube power amp combination. The tube power amp will give you the tube magic regardle .......

26: Re: Tube Pre + SS Amp OR Tube Integrated? (9.82)
Posted by Prisoners on 2005-02-01, 05:28:14 (68.75.171.15)
The only tube experience I have is with a Jolida 502b integrated. It was about $1500 after extensive mods, and the sound is very smooth and enjoyable. Having said that, I am happier with my Accuphase .......

27: RE: Best Tube Pre w/ SS amp? (9.78)
Posted by audio39 on 2008-08-09, 16:30:04 (99.224.69.179)
I'm not a tube fan, but I have on a number of occasions tried tube pre's with SS amplification, the Sonic Frontiers pre's have always been my favourites. I will be receiving a Line 2 next week to pair .......

28: Re: Tube pre + SS power amp or viceversa ? (9.75)
Posted by MJL on 2003-04-28, 15:05:16 (66.91.37.242)
My vote go for tube pree and ss power. 1. pre tube last longer, less troublesome. 2. Power tube shorter life, expensive, matching problem. 3. SS power can handle the hard to drive speakers. ::: TOPIC: .......

29: RE: Tube Pre-amp in a Solid State System (9.74)
Posted by aclearspot on 2014-06-25, 17:30:52 (69.181.171.86)
I sat on the fence for over two months with this issue. I had not had a tube pre since the 60's. I used all the arguments (tubes degreade from day 1, tube rolling -what the heck, tube warm up , tube b .......

30: My favorite systems use tube pre's and smaller ss amps. If .... (9.68)
Posted by PureAudio on 2008-10-26, 15:20:41 (96.3.69.15)
...the ss amp is too large (say, over 100 wpc) it tends to overpower the contribution of the tubes in the pre, in my experience. Everyone likes soemthing different, of course. Sweet spot for me is a t .......

31: The Flip-Side: SS pre--Tube amp (9.68)
Posted by bmed on 2004-04-29, 11:40:21 (131.230.225.104)
Ya know, I've seen it offered up so many times regarding using a tube pre to warm up a SS amp. It is almost always mentioned that this provides good synergy. What about the opposite? I'm a tube person .......

32: Just my opinion, but it is mine! (9.67)
Posted by airtime on 2023-05-01, 11:44:37 (98.165.215.11)
I think the tube preamp is one of those audio myths that won't die. Only to be kept alive by those that are trying to put something into their system the seems to be lacking something. After screwing .......

33: RE: Should preamp complement source or amp? (9.64)
Posted by Mike19 on 2009-05-05, 14:27:42 (205.188.116.16)
As to matching the pre brand to the source or to the amp, I think quality is way more important than "matching" the brand. As to matching the pre brand to the amp brand, I think its more important to .......

34: Re: tube pre with SS amp (9.63)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2003-08-23, 23:14:12 (12.252.236.227)
Most folks would go with a tube pre ahead of a SS power amp. I find just the opposite to be more to my liking. I run a SS CJ Premier 18LS preamp into a pair of AES/Cary SixPac monoblock tube amps. I .......

35: Re: Best Preamp for Krell 300cx amp - SS or Tube? (9.61)
Posted by Nglazer on 2005-11-21, 09:12:52 (216.44.45.115)
I have the same amp and have had both SS (CJ PF-R) and tube pre's with it. I have found the tube pre's to be a much better complement to the power and speed of the Krell. First I had an Hovland HP100, .......

36: I have both tube amp and pre amp in my system so... (9.56)
Posted by millen on 2005-04-16, 17:30:15 (24.71.223.142)
However, given the choice I’d rather have a tube power amp as you know most of the pre amp these days whether its SS or tubes are transparent enough that you can readily hear the huge sound difference .......

37: Same here... (9.55)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2013-07-18, 14:30:26 (108.184.84.175)
I've tried: - SS pre with tube amp. - Tube pre with SS amp. Both setups were excellent, better than any all SS setup I've had. I've also had all tube setups that were very nice. Notice a theme here? .......

38: Re: True or False: "Once you get used to tubes, you can NEVER go back to solid state." (NT) (9.53)
Posted by Kenji on 2004-12-12, 06:35:40 (210.61.134.68)
I always enjoy a tube pre + ss power amp combo. I used to listen to all ss setup but after hooking up a tube pre to my ss power amp, the rest is history. I had tried an all tube setup but ss power amp .......

39: RE: Tube Pre passing DC (9.48)
Posted by Allen Wright on 2009-11-12, 04:30:40 (87.245.73.97)
A faulty tube preamp can pass DC into a poweramp - but IMO it's a pretyy dumb poweramp design that is fully DC coupled so as to be badly affected by this. You tech is, as others have said, less than w .......

40: Tube amps problematic, tube preamps not... (9.43)
Posted by Abel McCain on 2006-02-10, 09:36:07 (69.144.222.107)
I gave up on the idea of fussing around forever with tube amps once I tried a decent tube pre/SS amp combo. The right SS amp in combination with a good tube pre will give you plenty of "midrange magic .......

41: RE: Tube + SS... (9.37)
Posted by JoeKool on 2013-09-15, 21:07:05 (67.83.196.147)
My system is bi-amped with tubes above 250Hz, and SS below, fed by a tube pre. You don't have to spend mega$$$ on a good tube amp, but a good tube pre will cost you. It all depends on the quality of y .......

42: It's done all the time (and sounds excellent). Here are ... (9.33)
Posted by PureAudio on 2004-05-02, 15:56:13 (4.228.228.176)
...some possibilities: Are the ss pre and power amp seperates? In that case just run the tubed pre into the ss power amp. Are the ss pre and power amp integrated? There is probably a jumper for each .......

43: I noticed a similar thing (9.33)
Posted by nightdoggy on 2007-03-13, 18:34:12 (69.87.199.61)
when I hooked up my Klyne ss pre to my Atlas tube amp. It sounded quite good. I never had that exact sound before. I often teamed a tube pre to a ss amp. That's a pretty common scenario, it seems. I a .......

44: RE: Sure you can... (9.33)
Posted by audiogeek on 2008-03-04, 08:32:13 (205.167.170.19)
You are doing it the more 'proper', conventional way by using a pre into an amp. I was thinking of using a ss receiver into the front end of a hybrid (tube/ss) integrated, essentially having two pream .......

45: RE: Tubed preamps - what is the advantage? (9.28)
Posted by 6bq5 on 2013-07-18, 10:22:22 (50.200.188.131)
There is no reason NOT to use a tube pre- with a solid state AMP - it all depends upon what you want - sound/features/etc. I have used Tubed Pre with SS amp - and enjoyed the results very much... I ha .......

46: Tube pre amp & SS amp mix or.. (9.25)
Posted by mfm22 on 2014-12-02, 06:21:39 (98.116.156.206)
Thinking of options for tube set up . Using Adcom amp & pre currently . I was going to get an integrated rogue amp but weighing options . Not quite sure how much I'd enjoy separates both being tubed ? .......

47: Re: Tube or SS pre-amp with SS power amps ? (9.21)
Posted by Sansui_64 on 2004-06-03, 04:31:02 (203.51.134.231)
Thanks again Andy, Well that's good news as I seem to be leaning toward the SFL-1 tube pre. Even though it has only one tube, I would enjoy trying various brands and types of tubes that are compatible .......

48: RE: ModWrite LS100 preamp (9.20)
Posted by Khorn on 2021-03-07, 15:55:46 (99.241.100.141)
Thanks for the response. I've had all tube, all SS and tube preamps with SS amplifiers. My favourite is tube pre and SS power and that's what I'm going back to after many years from all SS. Dan thinks .......

49: General amp/preamp Qs (9.18)
Posted by M3b on 2009-03-23, 08:34:56 (63.76.175.100)
I am looking to put together an amp and pre amp setup around a debut III turntable, speakers (yet to be determined, but nothing very expensive) and a subwoofer (maybe a cambridge soundworks). Eventual .......

50: Re: Solid State Pre Amp and Tube Amp (9.17)
Posted by Gregg on 2003-05-29, 08:52:20 (63.149.69.163)
A friend of mine runs a SS pre with a tube power and it sounds great, at least as great as any SS pre and tube power combo that I know of. Other considerations: Preamps may be easier on tubes than pow .......

51: Silly question when having a pre tube with an SS amp (9.17)
Posted by upgradealways on 2004-03-15, 13:44:14 (161.216.124.2)
I am now running on an integrated. My next move eventually will be seperates. I have read many comments saying that it is sometimes nice to pair a pre tube with an SS amp. This often results into tube .......

52: "Cake and Eat it " or "Afraid of commitment" (9.17)
Posted by flickkit on 2004-12-11, 02:23:42 (209.79.199.28)
I've noticed that some manufactures of tube Amps have SS pre-amps. Also that many SS amp owners use tube pre-amps. Whats up? Cant decide or want it all? I now the CW is SS for bass but I've heard some .......

53: SS Preamp For Tube Amp (9.17)
Posted by AudioSoul on 2014-02-01, 22:17:41 (71.37.198.173)
I was thinking of getting a SS preamp for my AES Super tube amp. Is there anything I should consider while looking? Anyone else running a SS pre with tube amp? .......

54: Re: Poll : A Tube preamp or a Tube power amp..... (9.15)
Posted by Audioquest4life on 2005-04-16, 23:19:07 (84.171.227.130)
I would suggest the tube pre and depending on budget and speakers, bi-amp with tube amps for the mids and highs and SS for the bass. I auditioned plenty of tube and SS amps in search of music nirvana. .......

55: RE: Tough choice: ARC anniversary preamp or Ayre KX-R? (9.11)
Posted by Nglazer on 2010-12-01, 11:16:01 (216.44.45.115)
If you use a tube preamp -- as opposed to power amp -- you do not need to fuss with biasing or, for that matter, tube replacement except at very long intervals. Preamp tubes generally last for several .......

56: Interesting response... (9.04)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2007-03-15, 11:09:46 (71.196.145.134)
I have tried various combos of SS pre with tube amps, and tube pre with SS amps. Each has it's benefits and weaknesses. Which combo I prefer really depends on each component and the kind of music I'm .......

57: System Synergy (8.98)
Posted by AudioSoul on 2007-10-09, 15:28:38 (71.36.179.197)
Irecently puchased a Forte 2 pre and Forte 4a amp. this combo is the best sounding amp and pre that I have ever had. I have had many combos over the years, tube amps with SS pre, tube pre's with S .......

58: Pleeeeease... (8.98)
Posted by Stale on 2012-08-26, 12:24:25 (99.141.175.84)
Think before posting. Do tube pre-amps that have no OT sound like SS pre-amps? Do OTL tube amps sound like SS amps? Do tube amps sound the same with any tube brand? Does McIntosh MC252 sounds like tub .......

59: RE: ss pre tape out to tube pre to amp? (8.96)
Posted by jea48 on 2008-03-18, 09:13:56 (12.216.64.240)
The SS preamp should work as a switcher. You will get some degradation in sound due to the signal path taken through the input selector switch and wiring in the SS preamp. Best thing is to try it and .......

60: The preamp by a wide margin ... (8.96)
Posted by Oakroot on 2007-03-16, 15:21:58 (67.119.194.182)
I've done an lot of back and forth with tube/ss pres and power amps. Krell, Classe, Rowlands, Audible Illusions, Muse, ARC, CJ, Counterpoint, and more. The tube pre will give you more of the fleshed .......

61: Re: Tube pre + SS power amp or viceversa ? (8.95)
Posted by musiclistener on 2003-04-29, 12:14:01 (68.83.210.253)
I use a tube pre (Luxman CL35-III) with ss power amps to drive my impossible-to-drive transmission lines. Love the tube phono stage! .......

62: Tube Pre-amp to go with SS amp? (8.90)
Posted by TheBrewmaster on 2013-02-13, 20:36:58 (70.138.85.186)
Always had solid state, never tubes (yet anyway). Some say the 'best' (both of best worlds) setup is a powerful high-current SS amp combined with a tubed Pre. True or myth? Any tube Pre's you would r .......

63: Re: SS Pre with Tube Amp (8.89)
Posted by nakolawala on 2006-12-28, 05:36:48 (153.2.247.33)
I am using a Mcintosh C45 SS pre with the MC275 tube amp. The combination is fantastic. I tried several tube preamps including mcintosh's and others but the C45 provided me everything that the tube pr .......

64: I bought my first tube pre-amp in 1986...... (8.88)
Posted by Chuck Y on 2007-03-14, 10:19:38 (4.245.110.231)
An ARC SP10II. What an absolute revelation compared to SS stuff I'd been running. I bought my 1st Tube amp in 1993 (to go with electrostats). FWIW, I can't imaging going back to ANY ss stuff, so be pr .......

65: RE: Good Starting Point for Tube setup? (8.88)
Posted by troutboy on 2011-06-26, 08:17:10 (98.70.102.191)
Another option is to pair a tube pre with your ss amp. That is how i got started into tube stuff. You can check out the tube sound to see if it works for you and you have the additional power that the .......

66: Re: Tube pre + SS power amp or viceversa ? (8.86)
Posted by Wexler on 2003-04-28, 13:38:50 (66.234.141.53)
I just went through this whole question because I've been using a Rogue 88 and a passive for a while and was wondering what how a big fat ss amp and a nice tube pre would sound. After a good deal of l .......

67: Yes you can but....... (8.85)
Posted by Chuck Y on 2004-08-18, 09:01:26 (209.165.45.131)
I would make the connection from the SS pre-amp to the tube unit from the tape out RCA of the SS unit. That way you will bypass the volume control of the SS unit and the tube unit. This way your SS un .......

68: RE: back to SS power -tube pre (8.85)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2014-03-16, 16:55:07 (50.183.79.35)
How does the new MF-2550SE SS power amp sound compared to the vacuum tube MV-60SE ? What have you gained? What have you lost? Just curious, being a previous CJ owner - both SS and tube. Thanks! ::: TO .......

69: Quad 909 & Ming Da Tube Preamp (8.83)
Posted by JimOfOakCreek on 2007-05-18, 05:19:04 (65.119.184.3)
I have a hybrid Jolida 1501RC int amp and really like it. I think tube pre + ss amp = great sweet sound. I'm thinking of taking it to the next level to try to improve noise & detail. My theory is that .......

70: RE: SS replacement for tube amp (8.82)
Posted by joenies on 2011-07-28, 17:19:01 (209.165.183.15)
Greetings, I hope I do not open a can of worms, but may feel that you should not mix SS with tubes. Year ago I had a CJ PV5 pre-amp(still have it in storage) with some SS mono block amps, when listeni .......

71: Tube Pre/SS power (8.81)
Posted by Blue Bull on 2004-11-26, 12:18:10 (168.209.98.35)
Midirons Good idea.Using Pathos Logos Hybrid Int amp.Before that have used two other hybrid amps as well.In between made a return to pure ss pre/power.Funny,missed the valves on the pre,return of valv .......

72: Re: Tube Pre + SS Amp OR Tube Integrated? (8.79)
Posted by Jai on 2005-02-02, 01:06:27 (64.154.26.251)
My amp is the MC352 mated with the Supratek Chardonnay tube pre. Very nice sound, go to Audiogon..pre amp deal of the century. Teac VRDS P10 used as transport with the Audionote 3.1x sig tube DAC. Thi .......

73: Re: Suggestions for used preamp under $1k (8.72)
Posted by Carlman on 2003-02-18, 14:58:17 (192.58.204.121)
I'm trying to decide on whether to try the AKSA GK-1, a DIY pre-amp that is a tube/SS hybrid. www.aksaonline.com for details. I currently have an Audible Illusions 2-D.. but, it's a tube. For under a .......

74: Re: SS Amp/Tube Pre Combo - BEST?? (8.71)
Posted by jw94055 on 2007-02-04, 22:02:21 (71.31.163.93)
J. Gordon Holt, many years ago thought this was the best, practical combination. I have a Dyna Pas pre with a GAS son of ampzilla. I think it sounds great. I will never have a system that does not hav .......

75: Re: Tube pre + SS power amp or viceversa ? (8.71)
Posted by stembro on 2003-04-29, 16:14:03 (210.220.73.5)
I am using NAGRA PL-L pre and Goldmund SRM2 mono bolocks with great satisfaction. The PL-L and SRM2 combo sounds much better than levinson 380sl, rowland synergy 2i, spectral dmc20 ... etc. I had used .......

76: Re: Tubed or SS preamp? (8.69)
Posted by edta on 2004-04-19, 20:10:25 (162.40.6.179)
Lots of good, reasonably priced tube preamps out there. I use a Pass Labs Aleph SS power amp with a used tubed Music Reference preamp. Swapped out the pre for a passive. Also swapped out the life and .......

77: RE: Matching SS pre to Tube amp (8.68)
Posted by Allen Wright on 2009-12-28, 13:04:11 (87.245.73.97)
There should be absolutely NO problems with your SS pre and tube power. The problems can occur when the opposite is the situation. Regards, Allen .......

78: I am using SS pre with tube amp now (8.67)
Posted by travisty on 2010-06-27, 06:13:59 (120.51.128.117)
Pioneer C-Z1 pre with VTL MB-450 amps... ...which when used with the H-Z1 headamp means SS headamp into full-function SS pre into tubes. It sounds wonderful. I ran that front end into a set of McIntos .......

79: Re: The Flip-Side: SS pre--Tube amp (8.67)
Posted by AnalogJ on 2004-05-02, 03:11:16 (64.12.116.9)
I haven't been able to test this myself, but theoretically, the "tube-pre/ss-amp" is not done to merely "warm up" the sound. The pre-amp is where primarily the sound is formed while the amp is driving .......

80: RE: The speaker has a benign impedance and is easy to drive. (8.63)
Posted by kicknaliendo on 2020-06-11, 15:47:35 (73.194.109.44)
Would you go with all tube or tube pre and SS power? I have a full tube amp now that I really like. Was thinking of either spending a few hundred on nice Genelax tubes or selling it for new gear. I ke .......

81: Re: Tube pre + SS power amp or viceversa ? (8.63)
Posted by Audio Tyro on 2003-05-03, 07:52:16 (57.72.14.242)
I think the most plausible reason for a Tube Preamp + SS Power amp combination (rather than the reverse) is its cost-effectiveness. In a given amp power,let's say 70-100w range, it is cheaper to use S .......

82: RE: Tube Pre-amp to go with SS amp? (8.59)
Posted by zmwolf on 2013-02-14, 11:26:02 (69.203.76.224)
A used McIntosh C220 would fit into your budget. I use one with an SS amp. Very neutral sounding pre. Comes with a nice MM phono and remote. --Ze'ev .......

83: RE: Tube Pre + SS Amp Without Standby Users: Keep amp and source on 24/7? (8.51)
Posted by boboli on 2012-11-05, 12:48:59 (68.2.58.35)
I too have a tubed pre-amp which has a automatic mute at turn-on. In the summer months I use a SS amp which I leave on all the time with no problems. .......

84: I'm with you brother (8.50)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-04-03, 06:49:08 (216.82.182.32)
Tube preamp with SS amp combinations if matched well can be highly satisfying and easy to live with. The tube pre IME added just the right amount of charm to the mix and took away a somewhat sterile e .......

85: RE: Tube Pre-amp to go with SS amp? (8.50)
Posted by mulveling on 2013-02-13, 21:13:46 (74.60.213.91)
Tube pre + high current/power SS is not the best of both worlds. Proof by counterexample: a superior combo is a tube pre + a high power tube amp + speakers with a benign impedance curve :) I love tube .......

86: Re: tube power amp with....??? (8.48)
Posted by Chuck Y on 2004-10-10, 08:09:21 (209.165.40.183)
FWIW I can't even imagine using a SS pre amp with anything, but I could be convinced, with the right SS amp, to use one as a substitute for a tube amp (on occasions). :-) .......

87: Re: HighEnd and HomeCinema combination ??? (8.46)
Posted by dave1117 on 2002-11-28, 19:27:30 (67.84.6.195)
i am doing all the research on this very thing since i want to upgrade my two channel listening with a tube pre. Most of the better pre amps out today have an A/V bypass which allows your pre/pro acce .......

88: I currently run a ss pre and tube amp (8.46)
Posted by J_Neutron on 2003-04-29, 07:34:56 (192.231.29.19)
I read the other threads and agree that a tube preamp and ss amp can be a great way to go. Currently, I run an Audio Research LS-9 preamp into a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 SE. I found that I get a more .......

89: I used SS pre and tube amp... (8.45)
Posted by ducati on 2004-05-01, 08:51:27 (204.210.243.135)
I am coming to believe it might be the best solution, even. I have never used a tube pre with and of my old SS amps, but did go all-tube for awhile. I also was all SS for a little over a year. I didn' .......

90: I prefer a SS pre with a tube power amp... (8.45)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2003-03-01, 23:41:50 (12.253.200.214)
After a lot of experimenting, I've come to the conclusion that (for me) a really clean, crisp, somewhat neutral sounding passive or solid-state preamp in front a tube amp can be a wonderful combinatio .......

91: Resale value of tubes vs. SS? (8.45)
Posted by Steveaudio on 2003-09-19, 16:27:14 (209.6.248.226)
I realize this is an incredibly generalized question, & maybe I'm asking more about the ease of selling used tube gear vs. SS, rather than $$ amounts. Assuming the amp or pre-amp is well regarded, fro .......

92: Re: Tube Pre + SS Amp OR Tube Integrated? (8.45)
Posted by Bare on 2005-02-01, 08:29:58 (216.232.85.239)
Dunno Mate..stereotypical "Warm big smooth Tube sound" is the Vintage Sound of Old Amps with seriously drifted Carbon Comp resistors.. OR desins engineered to naive consumers :-). Modern well designed .......

93: RE: Tube Pre-amp to go with SS amp? (8.45)
Posted by Frihed89 on 2013-02-14, 00:55:49 (188.183.58.134)
If you have a transistor SS amp, I suggest you get a very neutral tube preamp instead of one with a colored presentation, as coloration can defeat -but not enhance - the sonics of a good transistor ou .......

94: Re: Tube versus Solid...I WANT BOTH (8.44)
Posted by Dynaudio_Rules on 2005-05-02, 15:55:50 (69.246.118.245)
I want it all...two or more sound systems with the best SS and Tube gear I can afford. SS amps I would want are Accuphase mono blocks Crown Studio Ref Pass Labs mono blocks Mcintosh mono blocks SS pre .......

95: tube pre with SS amp (8.42)
Posted by lextek on 2003-08-23, 12:23:26 (12.243.217.60)
What would be better? A tube preamp with a SS amp or the other way around. I'm thinking of setting up a second system using an Acurus A100 amp and B&W P5s. .......

96: Re: SS Pre with Tube Amp (8.42)
Posted by rar1 on 2006-12-30, 13:24:44 (24.90.138.72)
I am using a Prima Luna Prologue 5 tube power amp with a Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24 ss preamp/cd player. Very pleased and am going on almost 2 years with this combination. Elegant and musical sounding .......

97: Best Tube Amp? (8.42)
Posted by ewalk on 2003-03-09, 20:55:33 (4.63.90.173)
I am looking to take the plunge into tubes. I want to get a new pre-amp and amp. What is the best combo? SS pre and tube amp? What's the best tube amp under $5000? I wil be using a pair of Meadowlark .......

98: tube pre-amp or tube dac? (8.41)
Posted by yello on 2005-10-24, 11:26:54 (170.148.25.12)
what would be a better upgrade and why? a tube pre-amp or a tube dac? i have all ss right now and would like to get into tubes.. .......

99: Tube Pre + SS Amp Without Standby Users: Keep amp and source on 24/7? (8.41)
Posted by givemevinyl on 2012-11-04, 10:00:32 (98.213.178.149)
I know the proper sequence for powering off/on, but do any of you keep your ss amp and source on 24/7 and still turn on/off your tube pre? I know pre tubes have longer lives, but would prefer to turn .......

100: Re: SS Pre with Tube Amp (8.38)
Posted by HipoFutura on 2006-12-28, 05:14:58 (74.69.201.219)
I use a Marantz 1060 SS preamp with a pair of Curcio MK III tube monoblocks. This is a tri-amp system so the monoblocks only drive the mid-freqs. I have no interest in using a tube preamp. The SS prea .......

101: RE: I suspect what they are hearing (8.37)
Posted by waj4all on 2011-05-14, 20:35:34 (208.131.186.2)
I see your point, but, with all due respect, I doubt it. The author of The Audio Critique knows all about impedance matches and mis-matches, and has used (and advocated) a passive/pre-amp less system .......

102: RE: Tube Pre-amp in a Solid State System (8.36)
Posted by neolith on 2014-06-25, 15:51:08 (75.138.156.231)
I agree with John. The answer to your question is really - it depends. To say all tube pre's are warmer than all sand pre's is just silly. What is it that you don't like about your current setup? What .......

103: with my experience ... (8.35)
Posted by BJordan on 2005-04-17, 19:24:56 (66.245.59.124)
I have found that the tube pe-amp has more influence than a tube power amp. I use both tube amp and pre-amp now , but found the biggest impact was switching to a tube pre-amp(when I still had a ss. am .......

104: Tube pre is a no-brainer ... (8.31)
Posted by bjh on 2011-03-24, 11:05:24 (216.209.33.106)
Debate on the power amp may be one thing but even the very best SS tube preamps struggle to match the performance of an even middling tube pre. .......

105: switching pre-amp off and leaving the power amp on (8.31)
Posted by Shane from AUS on 2003-12-02, 14:06:31 (202.95.92.167)
I know that the general rules are that you switch the pre-amp on first, then the power amp. What happens if you have a tube pre and ss power. Can you leave the power amp on all the time and switch the .......

106: RE: First foray into tubes... (8.29)
Posted by Brody on 2013-05-16, 18:25:05 (174.59.110.104)
Solid state pre with tube amp? Good grief, don't put that idea in my head. Seriuosly, how big a difference is there between using a solid state pre with tube amp or tube pre with SS amp (my setup)? Kn .......

107: Re: Has anyone gone from tube amp to SS and been happy..... (8.28)
Posted by ishmael on 2003-12-24, 22:07:27 (209.121.163.228)
I went from a Pass Aleph 3 to Decware Signature monoblocks to Gaincard 4706. SS to tubes and back to SS. Both the Pass and the Gaincard are tubelike in many respects, but not euphonic. I really like w .......

108: Re: tube preamp and solid state amp - any successful combinations or bad combinations? (8.26)
Posted by MJL on 2004-08-10, 20:18:27 (204.210.108.70)
I think tube pre amp plus SS power amp is the best, if you want SS power to push power hungry speakers and you don't want the heat, the cost of changing power tubes. I use Cary SLP-2002 tube pre and C .......

109: Tube pre and ss power..... (8.26)
Posted by Blue Bull on 2005-04-16, 21:02:38 (168.209.98.35)
...or a hybrid integrated.Had two hybrid int amps,went to ss pre and power,back to hybrid int amp, again.Sometimes ,you only realise how good tubes are on the pre section, when its not in the system a .......

110: Re: Looking for a tube amp with enough power to drive a pair of Thiel CS7's (8.26)
Posted by sogood on 2004-06-04, 13:14:14 (68.53.86.105)
Have you thought about a tube pre-amp? I think it may be hard to find a tube amp up to the task in the low price ranges. I use a tube pre with my SS amp to drive my Apogee speakers and the sound is ve .......

111: Are Tube Buffers Good to use between pre and amp? (8.25)
Posted by kkak66 on 2011-04-05, 06:53:57 (99.48.57.12)
Thinking about getting a tube buffer. Will this improve sound. I already use a tube pre-amp, VTL 5.5 so what can it do with my SS mono Blocks.Thanks for any info. P.S. would it be better to use btween .......

112: Re: Would 40W/ch. tube enough for Totem Model 1 (8.22)
Posted by Frank25 on 2005-10-19, 09:39:03 (69.123.4.32)
Ive always believed in using a tube pre with a ss power amp or a Hybrid tube/SS design. I think it gives the benefits of both designs without as many of the negatives. There are a few ways to go about .......

113: I own both - tube and SS....... (8.21)
Posted by Cut-Throat on 2003-12-11, 15:56:11 (205.188.208.9)
The tone control can be taken out of the circuit entirely with a push of a switch! - You can have it both ways! There will never be a remote. Too much cost for the value added. Frank thinks most audio .......

114: RE: New Pre & Amp (8.20)
Posted by bboroski on 2016-01-22, 11:31:08 (65.190.28.10)
I have found that preamps and speakers do the most to define the overall system sound. Differences between tube and SS amps can be very noticeable, Differences in comparably priced SS tends to be very .......

115: Re: mixing SS with Tubes: best of both worlds, or worst? Discuss. nt (8.19)
Posted by brubacca on 2003-05-01, 12:14:25 (66.153.113.134)
I think that it depends on how you do it... I heard a hybrid integrated (Tube input, SS Output) with some Totem speakers and thought that the system was very musical. From reading discussions on the T .......

116: Re: I upgraded from the same pre to a (8.18)
Posted by jeffmathers on 2007-03-07, 06:04:54 (207.74.163.102)
Well, I'm coming from a SS pre (Adcom 565) and tube amp and found I really liked the all tube chain better - at least with the Dared pre. I hear you about conventional wisdom though - always good to e .......

117: Re: Solid State Pre Amp and Tube Amp (8.17)
Posted by Mike on 2003-05-29, 09:56:39 (128.113.124.220)
One of the best systems I have ever heard had a SS pre and tube amp. .......

118: Can I use my receiver to control a tube/SS integrated?? (8.17)
Posted by audiogeek on 2008-03-03, 19:35:33 (205.167.170.19)
I want to check out what the tube fuss is about and I was thinking of getting a tube/ss hybrid like the Jolida 1501 (I mostly listen to rock so I'm thinking this might be a good way to go), but I'd li .......

119: RE: Which Combination Presents The Best Of Both Worlds Best? (8.17)
Posted by andyr on 2008-03-12, 03:17:26 (124.181.136.111)
Good questions but I think you have: a) left out 2 other valid options ... which are all-tube & all-ss. b) inadequately defined the concept of "hybrid" (ie. is this tube input stage/ss output stage .. .......

120: RE: Low Wattage SS Amp (8.15)
Posted by troutboy on 2010-01-22, 02:49:16 (98.70.113.192)
I have my bedroom system setup to run an integrated tube amp and a class A ss amp/tube preamp combination through a Niles switch. The setup works very well for me. When i want to leave the system on f .......

121: RE: Tube revolution (8.14)
Posted by Disbeliever on 2015-05-20, 06:59:01 (92.11.194.44)
I used for many years the Radford SC22 hybrid preamp with a SS power amp until I realised that the pre was coloured and then went to an integrated SS amplifier IMO better sounding and certainly far be .......

122: RE: Which separate first: Pre or Power Amp? (8.09)
Posted by rmahoney on 2008-02-13, 13:38:58 (74.94.105.166)
OK, now I'm getting creeped out! Maybe you should tell me what your planning next so I can get my order in early! Seriously, it's safe to say I've liked different things about all the amps I've tried. .......

123: TALL ORDER: a flexible budget ss preamp? (8.08)
Posted by EL Cheapo on 2005-01-24, 18:18:58 (64.75.44.4)
Hey Gang, I need help picking out preamps. I want something that is SS, has a phono stage, and good with a wide variety of amps, including tube amps. (lets not get into the ss pre/tube amp thing here, .......

124: RE: SS Preamp With Tube Amp (8.07)
Posted by EL Cheapo on 2012-10-14, 18:05:29 (50.113.72.29)
i've done this with an old yamaha pre and a few different (sub $2k) tube amps. i think more people should try this combo. to me the power amp imparts more of its tubey character on the speakers than t .......

125: SS replacement for tube amp (8.07)
Posted by cpielock@eaglebrook.org on 2011-07-28, 08:35:02 (71.233.233.254)
I just sold off my tube amps . Any suggestions for replacement with a SS amp? I still have aTube pre/phono. Thanks,Chet .......

126: Re: Budget Pre-Amp (8.07)
Posted by Lou S on 2004-09-24, 13:50:05 (68.68.188.156)
I used to be a tube nut, but that really leads, IMO, to insanity. You want to try every tube ever made in the values you use in your gear, and when it is said and done, good Fet based preamps, coupled .......

127: Re: Solid Amp/ Tube Pre (8.06)
Posted by Hujorgen on 2007-05-17, 07:04:41 (65.83.58.34)
I have just started using such a combo-- a Modwright SWL 9.0SE preamp with my new love-- the Audio Research 100.2 SS amp. I am impressed! The music flows--- fast, toe tapping, with better definition .......

128: Tube Pre and SS Amp Intergrated (8.05)
Posted by rockcrk on 2002-12-13, 13:45:49 (63.149.187.1)
I would appreciate some suggestions for an intergrated amp with a tube front end and SS power, 50 watts or above and no more than $1500.Thanks in advance for any help...Bill .......

129: Re: Tube pre + SS power amp or viceversa ? (8.04)
Posted by zacster on 2003-04-30, 18:22:50 (66.114.78.126)
I have a modded Foreplay tube pre and solid state Creek amp. The difference from the tube pre is astonishing. I like the sound better than my Foreplay/St-70 combo. At $149 and some soldering, the Fore .......

130: Re: SS Amp/Tube Pre Combo - BEST?? (8.03)
Posted by Jerry O on 2007-02-04, 14:46:30 (76.173.139.177)
The combo's you mentioned are fine. Acutally, a tube pre and tube amp would be optimum for the Silverlines. If you must go with solid state amps, then, in general at least go with a tube preamp to mat .......

131: RE: What if i leave my SS amps on all the time? (8.00)
Posted by ahendler on 2010-07-22, 06:47:30 (98.219.118.86)
I always used to leave my tube pre on all the time. My tube phono stage is always on. I tern my tube power amp off but my ss power amp stays on Alan .......

132: Thump from pre-amp (7.98)
Posted by YellowTang on 2005-08-18, 12:01:15 (148.177.1.216)
I posted this in the general forum, but thought I'd post in this forum also. I have a Melos MA110 tube pre connected to a Muse SS amp. All is fine except for when I turn off the tube pre, there is a l .......

133: Matching impedence for SS amp and Tube Pre? (7.98)
Posted by Jody W. on 2002-10-26, 10:02:36 (66.242.104.98)
What should I look for in the specifications to make sure a SS amp will work with a tube preamp? I've heard that the Impedence should match or something. Could someone explain what to look for using s .......

134: Tube pre to leave on 24/7 and also a SS amp to leave on 24/7 (7.97)
Posted by SJT on 2006-04-13, 07:39:06 (24.75.37.21)
As you can tell from my subject line I'm looking to find a tube pre-amp that can be left on 24/7 and that has tubes that do not cost a fortune to replace. It needs at least 3-4 inputs, loop/tape out a .......

135: RE: Best Tube Pre w/ SS amp? (7.96)
Posted by stinkoy on 2008-08-09, 21:24:15 (88.198.40.46)
Would be curious why you think you want a ss amp with those speakers. If you are tired of changing gear all the time and are interested in Shindo,maybe consider trying to hear a Shindo system and if y .......

136: Tube or SS Pre for rock music??? (7.95)
Posted by vpolineni on 2003-05-27, 21:26:29 (172.170.136.245)
What's best for rock music- a tube or ss or even passive preamp? my amp is ss-odyssey stratos xtreme monoblocks, speakers are thiel cs3.6 I listen to pretty much all rock and I like my bass but don't .......

137: Re: Tube or SS pre-amp with SS power amps ? (7.95)
Posted by andyr on 2004-06-03, 02:29:55 (203.51.165.141)
You say you have Sugden ss power amps. One difference between ss and tube preamps is the output impedance, Zout. This needs to be minimum 10 times below the input impedance of your Sugdens, otherwise .......

138: RE: Buy pre-amp, sell amp, or sell speakers? (7.95)
Posted by Ozzy on 2011-12-21, 08:15:23 (160.84.254.241)
It sounds as though you need to dump the Ayre and buy a tube integrated. Tube preamp/SS amp combos rarely give you the sound you are looking for. As for your brother-in-law's Power 2, I had one of tho .......

139: RE: Abe Collins: Your Thoughts? You Recommended A Solid State Pre w/6 Pacs Once (7.90)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2010-11-05, 15:51:02 (71.229.129.165)
You know, it all comes down to personal preference and how the combo sounds in your system. I like the idea of having tubes somewhere in the system and that means SS pre + tube amp, or the other way a .......

140: Tubes in pre or amp section? (7.89)
Posted by ewalk on 2003-04-13, 12:57:49 (4.47.3.170)
I'm looking at buying a new pre/amp combo. I will eventually move into home theater, so I need a pre with a bypass. I want the system mainly for music, though. I want my system to be less fatiguing. I .......

141: Has anyone passively bi amped with SS & Tube gear ? (7.89)
Posted by rocky raccoon on 2004-12-14, 08:47:06 (217.167.7.57)
SS for the bass, Tube for the mid / treble. Assuming you can match levels & your pre amp has 2 sets of outputs are there any other technical considerations which make it a bad idea ? .......

142: running 2 amps off of 1 preamp for 2 different speakers (7.89)
Posted by fin1bxn@msn.com on 2008-04-06, 06:42:00 (70.21.190.55)
Running my SS system alomst 45hours a week. I didnt want a tube amp. I'm now wondering about hooking up a tube amp to my second output on my Preamp to run to a seperate pr of quality monitors for crit .......

143: RE: back to SS power -tube pre (7.89)
Posted by fantja on 2014-03-07, 08:28:06 (74.192.233.56)
Thanks! for sharing. Beautiful pics as well. The newest CJ SS power amp is on my short-list to demo. In the past, I have had the pure listening pleasure of auditioning the CJ 350 SS power amp- when CJ .......

144: I certainly have ... (7.88)
Posted by TBone on 2013-11-15, 05:55:53 (174.91.113.95)
and some can indeed sound wonderful ... ironically ... even when fed by SS pre-amps & certain SS digital components. The entire SS vs Tube debate becomes a truly silly affair when people talk in abso .......

145: SS Pre with Tube Amp (7.88)
Posted by AudioSoul on 2006-12-27, 16:49:47 (24.116.67.229)
Anyone have experience using solidstate pre with tube amp? Any matching problems? Did they sound good together? Did you keep them in you system long? A Great Big Thanks!! to all those that respon .......

146: Amp for original Virgos (7.87)
Posted by bob24 on 2009-11-03, 13:48:13 (71.160.65.114)
I'm in the market for a new amp for my original Virgos. I want to replace a Soundcraftsman ss. amp. I have the BC 3000 tube pre-amp. I don't know if i should go tube or ss. monos or single unit? Budge .......

147: Totally Agree... (7.87)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2004-08-10, 21:04:46 (192.18.98.62)
There must be several great tube pre / SS amp combos but I haven't found any that I like. I've had much more success the other way around using SS preamps (or passive units) with tube power amps. I ex .......

148: Amp/Pre for Thiel CS1.6's (7.86)
Posted by Jason P. on 2002-10-26, 20:24:51 (66.242.104.42)
I liked everything about the 1.6's except for the hot treble. I heard it with all SS gear (Classe) and was wondering if using a tube preamp would take the edge off? Anyone have any suggestions for a w .......

149: Pre-amp for acoustat monitor 3's (7.85)
Posted by The peleton on 2011-05-18, 22:27:41 (98.198.99.208)
I'm looking for a pre-amp for my newly repaired acoustat monitor 3's with tube servo amps. I'm open to tube or ss pre- My budget is under 4k I'm looking at mcintosh c2200 and Conrad Johnson but need s .......

150: RE: Catching the tube bug...will Jolida JD-5T pre make me happier than my Superphon SP100? (7.84)
Posted by musetap on 2011-02-10, 11:17:32 (66.253.70.71)
I've tried various combos of tubes/SS eguipment the past few years and find myself most happy with a tube pre and SS amp. Of course it depends much on if they are copecetic with one another, but overa .......

151: RE: Tube Pre-amp to go with SS amp? (7.83)
Posted by macmagman on 2013-02-14, 06:54:49 (76.16.13.112)
I'm running a Sanders also with a McIntosh C2200 Tube pre-amp and LOVE the combo. I previously used a C42 but when I went to Bryston amps it was way too bright, the tubes made a HUGE difference. ::: T .......

152: RE: I'm beginning to understand what a good solid state amp sounds like (7.81)
Posted by bouncy ball on 2017-02-28, 10:25:53 (70.68.241.38)
My system is basically all tube, to be specific, it is a triode power amp with high efficient speaker, tube pre with hybrid tube phono. I recently have the chance to insert a very good YBA pre in my s .......

153: Tube amp: choose ss or tube pre to minimize noise floor while maintaining tube trait? (7.80)
Posted by givemevinyl on 2009-08-10, 14:06:46 (67.175.5.50)
I recently acquired a tube integrated (Rogue Tempest II Magnum), and didn't realize that the built-in pre is passive until recently (and thus limiting my phono-cart combinations). Up until now, I've b .......

154: Tube Pre passing DC (7.80)
Posted by rcoughen@utk.edu on 2009-11-11, 17:48:48 (69.130.133.135)
I blew up a newly purchased Aragon power amp 4004 II last saturday. My tech told me it was because tube preamps (melos ma 111) pass dc and the passed dc damaged the aragon which is a "direct coupled" .......

155: Re: tube pre with SS amp (7.78)
Posted by bublitchki on 2003-08-23, 15:47:14 (68.161.104.22)
Common belief is that a tube preamp/ss power amp will give you a greater measure of the tube sound than vice versa, though it depends on the particular combination. I used a c-j PV-5 and a PS Audio 20 .......

156: Re: SS Pre with tube amp (7.78)
Posted by Fishfood on 2003-03-07, 07:04:32 (209.179.244.119)
I use a ss passive with my Rogue 88 and it sounds great..... .......

157: Switching from Tube amp/passive pre to SS amp/tube pre (7.78)
Posted by Clark Rector on 2003-04-18, 18:28:22 (209.179.246.119)
So I already got the amp, a McCormack DNA-1 deluxe to replace a Rogue 88 and while I love the slam and the power, I miss the feeling that the musicians are in the room with me that I got from the Rogu .......

158: SS Amp/Tube Pre Combo - BEST?? (7.77)
Posted by macdaddie on 2007-02-03, 16:46:25 (24.23.164.11)
Thinking of changing out my system to a combo SS amp w/ tube pre. I love the golden glow, 3D sound of tubes, but a lot of my music is a bit too hard for tubes (electronic, hard rock, etc). I have very .......

159: Solid State Pre-amp with Tube Power Amp? (7.77)
Posted by DkB on 2006-08-08, 10:47:34 (202.156.6.68)
Anybody do this successfully? My preamp is the EMM Labs Switchman built into the DCC2 DAC. I am thinking of using it with ARC Reference 210 Monoblocks. Will a SS preamp leave nothing fluid and flowing .......

160: RE: mixing solid state and tubes (7.76)
Posted by Capt. Z on 2009-10-02, 11:57:43 (76.5.181.104)
Plenty of folks mix SS and tubes. Though the majority of the 'mixers' will use a tube pre and a SS power amp. I personally prefer all tube, including CD player. .......

161: Re: Silly question when having a pre tube with an SS amp (7.73)
Posted by Dman on 2004-03-16, 05:21:47 (206.186.62.190)
I am in the same boat (Tube pre- SS power), and I leave my power amps (subwoofer and main) on 24/7. My pre is a Cathode Follower Custom model built by Flemming Audio Labs (no website up yet. Wait...wa .......

162: Re: Needing SS amp / tube preamp recommendations (7.72)
Posted by rosconey on 2005-12-17, 08:56:39 (64.136.27.226)
i second the odyssey amps,have no idea about tube pre's-i use a odyssey pre with my extreme mono's .......

163: Best Tube Pre w/ SS amp? (7.72)
Posted by macdaddie on 2008-08-08, 15:20:17 (12.129.23.130)
Considering (once again) of revising my gear (why? I don't really know..sickness I guess) to a Pass Labs amp (150.5 or 350.5) and tube pre. Wonder what the best match might be w/ this amp. Considering .......

164: Dunno what your budget is, but right now on A'gon..... (7.72)
Posted by Rick W on 2007-07-09, 15:28:00 (69.203.74.142)
there are a number of tube pre's listed for $700 or less. The CJ 10B (w/phono) would make you hear what you've been missing with that Adcom. I don't mean "detail", I mean TONE, image density, soundsta .......

165: RE: Integrated with pre out, can I add an amp and bi-amp? (7.72)
Posted by Scottrt on 2008-09-09, 01:57:25 (67.101.36.115)
You can use a Y-splitter at the pre-out to feed two seperate amps, one of them being the integrated itself. The volume control will thus control the signal to both amps. Your tube amp may indeed have .......

166: Re: Tube pre with SS amp - very happy hear!(sp) (7.71)
Posted by Mike Mount on 2005-10-04, 22:39:51 (67.176.239.230)
I am using an Atma-Sphere MP1 (**primarily) to run Rowland Model 501 (and occaisionally Levinson No.336) and I am really happy. Admittedly, I have always been (an amp guy) one who would belly up for a .......

167: I have and it sounds good. I don't fully understand it but ... (7.71)
Posted by PureAudio on 2003-11-12, 09:17:17 (165.234.23.33)
... the 'tube-magic influence' on a solid state amp (integrated or power) seems to be greater when the tubed pre is run into the pre of a ss integrated. I've tried all kinds of set ups with tubed pre' .......

168: Nice problem to have!... (7.70)
Posted by Marc Bratton on 2004-03-22, 20:06:10 (63.184.1.111)
Really and truly, it is hard to say. Conventional wisdom says the preamp has the biggest effect on the sound, and it certainly seems harder to find a great preamp than power amp. I recently swapped bo .......

169: RE: back to SS power -tube pre (7.70)
Posted by mbnx01 on 2014-03-06, 17:12:06 (76.178.31.161)
That's a great looking amp, I've thought that if I was in the market for a beefy SS amp that's what I'd want to try. Let us know how you like it in a month or so. .......

170: What amp should I use with PSB Stratus Mini's for rock music. (7.69)
Posted by dave123456@mail.com on 2008-02-16, 15:22:52 (204.126.64.99)
Right now Im using a Jolida 301a hybrid amp and although its a good amp the PSbs need more power and something better suited for rock music. This was my first tube amp and I do like the way tubes so .......

171: REFLECTION ABOUT HI-FI (pre/amp/integrated) (7.69)
Posted by atcing on 2003-12-24, 04:42:46 (80.58.52.170)
For my experience almost everybody prefer a sound coloured in the smooth side. This sound is pleasant, relaxing, not fatigued but not real sound. The real sound is shattering at time. Some instruments .......

172: I URGE you to listen first. (7.68)
Posted by Prisoners on 2008-03-25, 15:36:57 (75.34.57.116)
I bought mine based only on reviews, both magazine and user. I was not satisfied with mine and I'll no doubt sell for a loss. It just didn't have the lower solidness that I was hoping for. Many people .......

173: Another approach - hybrid or tube pre to ss amp. (7.68)
Posted by PureAudio on 2007-01-27, 13:38:01 (208.107.163.53)
I enjoy the same type of music you list in a mid-sized room. I love tubes but have explored good quality solid state from time to time. I ended up with my favorite rig being a tube pre into a smaller .......

174: Re: tube pre with SS amp (7.67)
Posted by ad010685 on 2003-08-24, 02:21:19 (195.191.19.121)
My experience and taste was towards a set up ending with a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 tube(a terrific musical power amp) drove by a SS preamp. But as Abe says, you should get what more suits to you. A lo .......

175: A tube pre with a smaller solid-state amp is one of my favorite ... (7.67)
Posted by PureAudio on 2005-12-12, 16:06:43 (4.228.3.63)
...combo's. By smaller, I mean up to ~80 wpc or so; although I prefer less. Larger than that and it seems the ss power amp over-rides the tube qualities of the pre. .......

176: RE: Speakers getting in way of Tubes vs SS decision - I'm lost and getting frustrated! (7.67)
Posted by henrybasstardo on 2009-03-28, 10:56:41 (64.12.116.16)
I agree with Chuck. Tube pre and a SS amp. .......

177: Do not assume SS amplifiers will offer less noise over tube (7.67)
Posted by Kloss on 2016-02-22, 06:41:06 (99.111.118.190)
While many poorly designed tube amps can have noise. Many dont and I run tubes on a few 110db horns without issues I also have SS about and even some of the better SS had weird noises when connected t .......

178: RE: Integrated as pre only? (7.66)
Posted by robber on 2008-03-27, 09:34:35 (65.205.167.131)
By taking a quick look at the tube compliment it seems that the pre is passive. The "variable out" is the same thing as a pre-out. A different direction might to be buy a SS amp with gain controls and .......

179: Re: Pre Amps (7.66)
Posted by warnerwh on 2003-10-22, 21:02:35 (12.224.139.192)
You may want to try a tube preamp with the Bryston. You can have your choice of flavors from extremely neutral and almost SS sounding ARC gear to lush and super liquid. The reason I suggest the tube p .......

180: RE: mixing solid state and tubes (7.65)
Posted by risabet on 2009-10-03, 19:09:02 (68.5.245.101)
ATC a tube pre and SS amp get you about 70% of the way to "tube magic" all things being equal, which they rarely are. One of the best combos I hae heard is a CAT 1 pre driving a big Perreaux amp into .......

181: YES!! (7.64)
Posted by Taz. PA-C on 2005-06-22, 17:39:31 (69.172.25.233)
That's how I listen to tubes! The power amp makes the biggest difference in my system, to my ears. I tried it the opposite way first, because that's what a few dominant voices in the audio circles sa .......

182: Re: Has anyone gone from tube amp to SS and been happy..... (7.61)
Posted by Lou S on 2003-12-23, 19:46:03 (199.6.62.94)
Well, some may disagree. I had a highly moded Moscode 600, we ran it in a system driven by a Modulus Illusions Signature with all the latest mods. The fellow usually ran a big dollar ARC amp, he paid .......

183: Yes..... and No (7.60)
Posted by wb6yaw on 2003-12-29, 19:59:02 (66.214.115.230)
I went from an ARC LS-1 (hybrid) tube pre-amp to a Musical Fidelity A3CR ss preamp to get both a remote and built-in phono section. I was very happy but since then I've gone back to an ARC SP16 tube p .......

184: I upgraded from the same pre to a (7.59)
Posted by G Squared on 2007-03-06, 14:52:28 (129.6.105.211)
Audio Research LS3B used for around $500 and am very pleased. This was a real sonic upgrade. Lots of inputs and a good price on the used market. I know that you are looking for a tube pre, but I have .......

185: Re: System type Poll results - 15 all tube - 6 SS - 30 mixed (7.59)
Posted by sogood on 2004-05-05, 15:13:42 (68.53.86.105)
Day late and a dollar short but: My system is SS with a tube pre-amp, make that 31 mixed. Dave .......

186: Preamp advice (7.59)
Posted by GCP on 2008-10-19, 09:30:51 (24.163.120.152)
OK, looking for anybody's thoughts on pairing a SS pre with a tube amp. I have a Rogue Atlas paired with Vandersteen 2Ce Sigs. Looking for a new preamp with at least 3 inputs and am wondering if I'm t .......

187: Best Tube pre-Amp for Jeff Rowland Model 7 (7.58)
Posted by Flowercrafts on 2005-07-29, 02:51:14 (203.146.139.163)
What's the best matching tube / SS pre-Amp for Jeff Rowland Model7 ? Thanks in advance .......

188: Tube Pre-amp collapses the soundstage ? (7.58)
Posted by oscar on 2008-04-03, 11:48:41 (192.35.35.35)
I've only ever seriously listened to one tubed pre-amp, the one I own. While I prefer it to the solid state preamp because of the "meatier" more "full-bodied" midrange and smaller noise background, I .......

189: Yeah, that's audio journalism for you (7.58)
Posted by PAR on 2006-10-22, 10:29:54 (80.176.73.121)
That really sounds like a puff - the perfect pre-amp - its as good as tubes on the one hand and as good as solid state on the other! Sadly I didn't hear my friend's ATC/Ayre combination in person (he .......

190: Is the word "Tube" really necessary (7.58)
Posted by Dan McGilvery on 2008-12-22, 13:12:12 (216.199.203.208)
I've noticed that the subject line for amp or pre amp reviews all end with the word (Tube). Is that really necessary. Wouldn't it be easier to put (SS) next to the one or two reviews that are SS? ::: .......

191: Van Alstine Transendance 6 pre amp (7.58)
Posted by hoss on 2003-10-22, 19:14:57 (24.70.95.205)
Anyone using this tube pre amp with ss amp? Thanks. .......

192: RE: General thoughts on running a SS Pre with Tube Amps (7.58)
Posted by magicsam on 2010-06-25, 06:33:49 (165.193.46.126)
The Dynaco (Panor) six tube pas-4 pre-amp I use has many (5) inputs and two amp outputs including a very nice MM phono input. You might find one in the used market. The amp is a SS Aragon 2004MKII. : .......

193: Re: Tube or SS pre-amp with SS power amps ? (7.57)
Posted by Sansui_64 on 2004-06-03, 03:10:16 (203.51.134.231)
Thanks very much Andy, Here are the specifications. The input impedance of the Sugden pwr amps can be set to either 47k ohms or 10k ohms. The output impedance of the SFL-1 pre-amp is 320 ohms at 1 khz .......

194: Behringer A500 - no need for pre-amp? benefits of pre-amp? (7.57)
Posted by yello on 2005-08-19, 11:02:43 (170.148.25.12)
Hello Im a newbie who wants to enter into seperates..for cheap...i saw this behringer A500 amp that do accept direct cd via its inputs...foregoing a pre-amp..and volume can basically be set via the vo .......

195: Tube pre and ss power IMO ... (7.55)
Posted by andyr on 2008-01-11, 15:12:53 (124.181.119.33)
is the best combo (and what I use! :-)) ). IME, typically a ss power amp has better (sharper!) control of the bass driver than a tube power amp ... however, some nice "tubeyness" is a good thing. Are .......

196: Re: Has anyone gone from tube amp to SS and been happy..... (7.54)
Posted by All Ears on 2003-12-26, 15:34:58 (152.163.252.5)
Very Happy. I had an ARC D-70 Mk II tube amp that sounded great but was light on base. I auditioned the Pass, ML, Krell 300, and ARC VT 100 and 200. I went with the Krell FPB 600 due to the liquidity .......

197: RE: Tube Pre passing DC (7.54)
Posted by JoKath on 2009-11-11, 20:35:23 (72.12.138.8)
A properly designed tube preamp will never pass DC. In fact I've seen more solid state preamps malfunction and pass DC than tube ones. Your techs assurtion that you should never use tube pre with ss s .......

198: Integrated as pre only? (7.53)
Posted by pkats on 2008-03-27, 09:25:57 (99.140.231.71)
My jolida 502brc has 2 sets of outputs on back - one set fixed and one variable. From searching here I have learned (I think!) that these would be used for connecting a subwoofer only. They are not la .......

199: RE: Cary SLI-80 integrated amp with vinyl (7.53)
Posted by AbeCollins on 2019-09-05, 07:08:21 (73.78.200.105)
I know from experience that many tube phono preamps can sound wonderful but many of them are also a little 'softer' or less dynamic and extended than a good SS phono pre. Since you have vacuum tube d .......

200: tube pre under $1K (7.53)
Posted by Linklater on 2005-09-25, 22:36:45 (66.32.241.78)
I have been looking at tube integrateds but reading some recent posts brought back to my mind some recommendations I had heard a long time ago when I was starting out, but then went SS and did not loo .......

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