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TUBE....Starting with Power or Preamp ?

I've been looking at this forum and found "MANY" loves tube gears a lot. It makes me want to enter the "TUBE" arena but I'm not sure which one to start with between Poweramp or Preamp. Could anybody have an experience answer my question below? If I have only one tube equipment to start,.....

1. What's the sound would be using SS Preamp + Tube amp?
2. What's the sound would be using Tube Preamp + SS amp?
3. Which way is a better approach?
4. Which Tube Poweramp or Tube Preamp is great for around $500-$800 used?

My music preferences is Acoustic Jazz with lots of details and some drums + percussions. I like the music that is sweet, very involving and real. Any suggestions would be very appreciated?

Supakit S.
supakit
supakit OP
18 posts
 
I forgot to give information about my existing system.
CD-transport : EAD T-7000
Pre/Processor: EAD TheaterMaster Signature
Power Amp : McIntosh MC-162 (160x2)
Speaker : B&W Matrix 805

Supakit S.
lshreve
20 posts
 
A lot will depend on speakers you are using or want to use...
I would consider starting with a good tube integrated amp and go from there. According to your stated musical preferences I would go with a used Cary or AE or other better tube integrated whih has pre-amp out jacks so you can add a more powerful tube amp (or use the SS amp you already have when desired. The tube integrated will also elimninate the beed for matching interconnects and let you have the option of having both a tube system and the current SS system you already have.
If you really want to keep with seperates and are wanting to retain and use seperates you already have...go for the tube pre-amp first.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I would start with a tube preamp. For around $550 to $650 used, a Conrad Johson PV-10 is hard to beat. The PV-10AL is line stage only; the PV-10A has phono. There is also the original PV-10 (with no A or AL) which has phono also.
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