Is Solid State Preamp and Tube Amp A Good Combo?


I happened to come across a pair of tube Rogue Magnum 120 mono amps which I would like to try out. I don't have a preamp to specially match it with but for now I have McCormack TLC-1 solid state preamp.

Would I get good results with this combination? Is this also called hybrid? I thought a hybrid setup is a tube preamp a solid state power amp.

I do not have any experience with tubes but am willing to try out.
morgandogge
A hybrid is a design that uses both technologies in the same unit. For example an amp that uses tubes in the front end and transistors in the output stage. While most do it as konky says there is no general reason why you cannot use these together. The audio police will not arrest you. Plug them in and see what you think. If you want to be really cautious look up the output impedance of your preamp and check with Rogue, but I wouldn't bother myself, it will not blow up or be so offended by having its signal provided by solid state that it will refuse to play.
Some folks have concluded that most of the benefits of 'tube' in your system is their existence in your amps. Tubes in pre-amps and sources has as much to do with tone, bloom, air, etc, which will not pass unscathed thru a SS amp. I tend to agree with them, and see the comparison/result of using a SS pre-amp to be comparable to using a properly matched and set up passive line stage, only the SS might add a bit of 'drive' if you need it. If I could only have tubes in one place it would be in the amps.

Stanwal is right, you have nothing (except a few bucks) to loose if you don't like the sound and either decide to sell or get a pre-amp with tubes to get a better/different tone.

But, FWIW, re tone, before you buy the Rogues as opposed to any amp, consider their tonal signature and how they will interface with your speakers. Tube amps are not all created equal - there is far greater divergency between them from each other than comparing one ss amp with another ss amp.

FWIW.
In lieu of having heard that specific combo, I think it will certainly "work" and its certainly reasonable to try it.

Like someone said, if its not quite what your looking for, then you can adapt from there.