Tubes plus SS

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!

I'm running a Classe CA 300 and Audio Research LS25MII and I think it's an excellent combination. Matched to Vandersteen 3A signatures and 2WQ subs. I'm approaching over the hill gang status and my previous love was 4 Dahlquist DQ10's mirror imaged with each pair having one mounted upside down on top of the other and 2 DQ1 subs. it was fantastic in the 70's, but after a 12 yr stint oversea's, I returned and they had been stolen from storage. It hurt and I stayed away from HiFi until a few years ago. I have used many different tube amps but miss the ss bass and extended top end. Not that tube gear sounds weak in the bass or highs, just after direct comparison you do notice what most tube gear offers, a sweet liquid midrange which translates into a trade with the bass and the high's. I find the Classe to be excellent top to bottom, the midrange is smooth and detailed enough that I really don't miss the tube midrange. Now you might think that I'm getting some of that tube sound from the LS25MII, but it uses the new 6H30 tubes which have a very neutral, detailed sound and as of yet I have not found an alternate tube. This is the main reason for up front and center soundstage which I like. I would recommend an audition before purchasing of course. Good luck, I'm listening to music again after a long hiatus, and I love it!