Let's forget about being politically correct

My feeling it all depends on the entire system. Starting with the speakers. Some speakers are not going to be driven well with many tube amps. Some speakers are so sensitive they really do not reaquire serious solid state power. It all depends... so many factors...

I personally think this debate is a little silly. There are so many factors involved that having a set ideology (i.e. only limiting yourself to a tube preamp or tube amp) is in itself limiting. A person should not get wrapped up in the technology, so much as getting the best sound they can from their speakers (tubes or otherwise).

I have a pure SS system now. I have had tubes before. I have had a comination before. This hobby is all about synergy, and not about ideology.

KF

Can one hear silence?

cj PF-1 and cj MV-75a1....sounds good to me. Things were too mushy with a tube preamp in my price range way back when. I also use a Bryston 3B-ST.

Crazy4blues, Crosby, Stills and Nash can. At least I think that was the group. Who knows, I only play music when deciding which component to buy.

I also agree that against the conventional wisdom, I prefer the ss preamp with tube power amp(s). That is, if the all tube system doesn't sound better to you.