Which SS preamps will compete w/ tubes?

Yes!! A tube preamp is a must with a SS amp if you want texture and musicality. For $2500 and under you have a wide array of choices, c-j Premiere 14 can be found for around 2K used, and BAT pre's seem to be popular as well and offer a lot of flexibility. And don't let tube rolling scare you, a well designed tube pre will sound great with it's stock tubes, and you have the option of rolling later if you want to experiment and have some fun, and isn't that what this hobby is all about? Happy listening!

Well put Jond, I agree completely, it seems confusing now but it will be great sound when its in your home. I was skeptical about tubes at first and now I won't ever go back, I have never really experimented with tubes, just when they need replacement(you will know, trust me) search for a half an hour and order a matched set of something better then you had before and when you install them you'll wonder why you didn't do it a long time ago. Enjoy ~Tim

I sold a Cary tube pre in favor of a Pass Aleph P & haven't looked back. Lower noise floor, better imaging & most importantly, more musical. No "tube like" sounds for me, just "musical" sounds.

I was sold on the idea of running a tube pre w/SS amp & had that configuration for almost 15 years. Now I have all SS.

This is what I prefer & like so if there are any diehard tube fans that wish to comment on my post please begin with Happy Fathers Day. Thank you & Happy Fathers Day!

I carry some wonderful solid state lines but I have to tell you that regardless of price I have yet to find a solid state preamp that is as good as a tube preamp with solid state amps.
Needless to say this is a very subjective opinion but a tube preamp is just more 3 dimensional sounding.
There are many really good tube preamps. If you can find a First Sound used, an Aronov, a Rogue, A Joule Electra, Bat and the lists goes on and on.
Good luck!

I was very apprehensive when I decided to get a tube preamp. The thought of having to open up the box, buying and experimenting with different tubes almost prevented me from taking the plunge.

Well, that was seven months ago, and I'm glad I made the jump. I bought the Blue Circle BC21 tube preamp along with the companion BC22 solid state amp and since then have been enjoying the smoothness and layered soundstaging of tubes, plus the authority and control of solid state.

For three months tube rolling was all I was doing to my system. The BC21 only takes two 6SN7 tubes so I bought various brands and vintages of NOS tubes to see what I liked best. My Kora Hermes DAC also uses two tubes, and in tandem with the Blue Circle, I've been able to tune the sound to suit my tastes.

Tennispro, I was sitting exactly where you are not too long ago, and now I can't imagine myself without a tube preamp. The musical experience is way beyond what I was able to achieve with solid state only. Conrad Johnson, BAT, Blue Circle, Rogue all make great tube pres that will match well with solid state amps. If you can audition one with your Titan, I think you'll see what we mean. Good luck.