Tube or solid state

@spaceguitarist : If one reads the original post, the poster asks for others’ preferences between two choices: tube preamp into SS amp, or SS preamp into tube amp. This is what is on the table. Those who read the post and wanted to be helpful, answered the question. It has unfortunately been turned into another tube vs SS debate by someone who clearly and obviously has an agenda to disrespect those who use their own two ears as the ultimate measuring tool to decide which comes closest to HIFI (and have chosen tube equipment). High fidelity is described in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “reproduction of an effect (such as sound or image) that is very faithful to the original”. Faithful to the original sound from a stereo system is subjective, and measured by most people using their ears. If a person wants to choose the equipment they use based on measurements collected by other electronic devices, they are absolutely free to do so. But that does not mean that those who use their ears are wrong… clearly and obviously… because I have heard components that measure well but sound dreadful. Also, it is contradictory to say that tube amplification is “LOWFI”, while admitting that tube amplifiers can “sound good”. Good sound is the goal in this hobby. And there is only one instrument that can be the final gauge for each individual, and that instrument is the human ear, regardless of any graph or measure of distortion. Out of respect to the OP, I’d like to specifically answer the original question (I too had been distracted by the “agenda” posts!). I’ve tried many combinations of tube and SS, and in my experience a SS preamp into a tube amplifier is my preference. Ymmv

it is contradictory to say that tube amplification is “LOWFI”, while admitting that tube amplifiers can “sound good”

LOWFI ""can"" sound good as long as the listener is expecting LOWFI : there’s no contradiction.

In some cases LOWFI amplification is better, especially with old recordings that are not able to provide good listening experience by themselves but require the amp to add some kind of "body" to the sound (what tube amps are usually doing well with a hudge amount of added distorsion).

Anyway : the world of LOWFI fanatics is very small today : 1) electric guitarists (for most kind of music : electric guitar microphones are unable to provide enough "body" by themselves), 2) phonographs and audiophiles tube amps for those who are searching for the good old sound of their youth, 3) some newcomers who believe what marketing says...

To come back to the main post’s question : tube preamp is total nonsense. What makes tubes enjoyable is second order distorsion at high operating level, preferably in class A operation. But even with this in mind : latest FET FDA are doing better.

So the answer is : no tube anywhere if HIFI is expected ! and tubes only at the power stage if LOWFI is expected.

I’m sorry. I disagree with you. You are completely wrong in much of what you write, and you write in antagonistic, derogatory fashion, disguised as “enlightenment”. Some of your facts are actual facts, but some of your “facts” are only your personal opinion, no more than that. And that is 100% fact. 

I’m sorry. I disagree with you. You are completely wrong in much of what you write, and you write in antagonistic, derogatory fashion, disguised as “enlightenment”. Some of your facts are actual facts, but some of your “facts” are only your personal opinion, no more than that. And that is 100% fact. 

You should provide at least 1 argument

I listen to music for 5 to 6 hours a day now that I am retired.  I listen to early jazz, blues, bluegrass, and even some crooners.  I love beautiful music and tubes give me more enjoyment than ss ever did.