2. amps-preamps
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Mixing SS and Tubes

I'm thinking about getting into tubes and have read threads about mixing SS amps with tube preamps. What about the other way around? Are there any advantages (or disadvantages) with mixing a ss preamp with a tube amp? I currently have a MAC MA6450 which I was thinking of using for the preamp side and then getting a reasonable tube amp to play around with. If this is worthwhile, any suggestions for the tube amp (< $1000) would be appreciated.

Thanks!
stereomaniac
jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
If I am not going all tube I prefer tube pre-amp with solid state amp.
audioman4
174 posts
 
Personally, I would start with a nice tube Preamp vs an amp... I think this would be a good start.. depending on what you are looking to accomplish.. If you intend on getting into vinyl.. go with a nice linestage tube preamp and an external phono stage... then you can always add a tube amp down the road... Not knowing what your musical tastes are and what kind of speakers you have makes it difficult for me to make a recommendation..
I just know that the ARC I bought is one of the best sounding preamps I have ever had... It is sure to improve a solid state system .... it is an LS-7 can be bought for around 700.00
Good luck...
Joe
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Bill Thalmann at Music Technology (musictechnology.com) uses a Conrad Johnson Motif MC-10 solid state preamp with a Conrad Johnson Premier 8 tube amp with great results. Bill is a former Conrad Johnson engineer. I am sure if you email him at Music Technology, he would be glad to give you some feedback.

Tube preamp / solid state amp is more typical. Blue Circle actually makes a matching BC21 tube preamp and BC22 solid state amp. In a prior system, I use to run a Conrad Johnson tube PV-10 preamp, with their MF2100 solid state amp.

stereomaniac OP
75 posts
 
Yes, it seems that I am thinking about doing things bassakwards (nothing new for me!). I was just wondering what if I could leverage what I had to see what the tube experience would be like....(oh oh, I think this hobbie is getting dangerous!) Additional components in the mix are KEF 104/2 reference speakers (bi-wired) which are pretty efficient, MCD7008 changer with a CAL Alpha DAC (24/96) and Monarchy DIP for the digital front end.

Thanks for the input. I do a lot more reading than writing here, but certainly enjoy the 'gon very much!!

John
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