tube or solid state phono amp with a tube integrated amplifier?

Tubes are not always warmer. Some solid state amps can be slow and rolled off just like a poorly implemented tube amp. What tubes can bring is a tangible palpability to the music, a more fleshed-out dimensionality, air, space and transparency. There are many variables—circuit configuration, tube quality, uality of the passive components etc.

  I have tried both with my setup, but the results are not 100% that they would be the same for you. In fact, it has more to do with the quality or matching of the phono pre to your equipment. 
  Without telling what car you drive, what are the better tires to use? Same thing.

One of the first and best choices I have made was to add a tubed phono stage to my system. The order I added tubed components was preamp, phono stage, cd / DAC, and finally amp. Each step added musicality and emotional connection I have never been able to get from solid state (and I have owned some pretty good solid state stuff).

If I was starting from scratch I would buy all tube gear.

@noromance +1

Couldn't have said it better....

i have preferred a very clean quiet ss phono stage (esp w lomc carts) then add tubes in the linestage

have had trouble with noisy tubes in the phono stage in the past... can be pita and frustrating