Tubes plus SS

I have used a variety of different Preamps and Recievers to control my ATI 2505 amplifier.It is amazing the difference in Sound Quality that can be heard from one Preamp or Reciever to the Next.I Finally Purchased the "Audio Experience-Symphonies" Preamp on Ebay for $375.00 plus shipping.It Uses "1 each 6X4 Power tube" and "3 each 12AX7 or 5751 tubes" It comes with the 12AX7 Tubes.I am using the "Symphonies" between my Denon AVR-2802 Dolby Digital Reciever Front-Left and Right Pre-outs and the ATI-2505 amps.I at first was amazed at the "Airiness" and the "Spaciousness" the Symphonies added to the sound and then the "Depth" and also the Excellent Immaging.The Instuments sound much more natural and vocals had depth and sound like the singers are in the room with me on many recordings.After about a week of listening I went back to using the Denon only.It was then that I Imediately Realized The benefits of using the Symphonies TUBE PRE.After about 15 minutes I hooked the Symphonies back in and hope I never have to use a solid state only setup again, although I will continue to use the Solid State Power Amps.WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!!!
Dan Lombardy
Washington State

Tubes can be noisy buggers, and for this reason some people prefer keeping tubes away from the low-level signals originating from source components. This would favor those who support using a ss preamp and tube amp. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, just that it is one rationale for going one way over the other, and results will obviously vary from system to system and component to component. Like most things audio, this is one of those areas where you'll likely have to try some combos yourself to come to your own conclusions, but hey, isn't that half the fun? Best of luck.

Tim

If I'm not going all tube. (my preference) I like a tube DAC or Pre-amp or both in the front end. I use a tube DAC and pre with a Gamut solid state. It sounds much better than all solid state to the same amp. IMHO as others I'm sure feel differently

Judit,

Try active biamping. A ss amp could be used to power the woofer, and a tube amp could power the squawker and tweeter. In this way you could use the strong base advantage of the ss amp to get a clean, solid base slam; and use the mild mannered advantage of the tube amp to bring out a more pleasing, soft, but detailed sound from your squawker and tweeter.

Best system I had ever heard for what an average man could afford was an ARC Pre,Mark Lev. Amp & NEAR M50 speaker's.Remarkable synergy!That is the sound I am aiming to capture again!