Benefits of tube sound with SS amp with tube cdp?

The ARC LS-12 is solid state.

Mijknarf,
I think the benefits were about equal from each component, but in different ways so it's difficult to quantify. The Line 3 SE preamp was gone before I got the Granite 657 cdp, so I could not compare them together to know what that combination sounded like. The Placette Passive linestage had the most initial impact, perhaps because it was used and any break-in had already been done. The sound was not only like a veil had been lifted, but some heavy curtains were opened as well. The Placette has made it easier to distinguish component, cable, and cord changes in my system.

It took some time for the Granite 657 to settle in, so after about 100 hours I swapped the SFCD-1 back in. Not long ago the SFCD-1 was considered among the best one box players available, but it was not as dynamic or musical as the 657. The difference was very obvious even with casual listening.
Both players had NOS tubes.

I highly recommend both the Granite 657 cdp and Placette Passive linestage. Both companies have a trial period.

Mijknarf,

Yes, the LS-12 is an SS Class A!

My LS-12 is now the "designated hitter" in my HT rig by virtue of the processor bypass feature. I also have a carousel CD in my HT system for my better half to listen to as well as for the kids.

I prefer the tube preamp(MAD Triplex Octal 6)on my dedicated two channel during my "quality" listening session. In fact, I have no intention of using an SS preamp again.

Here's the rest of my system that works well with the tube preamp in place and sounds great to me.

-Teres Audio 255 Turntable with OL Silver Arm
-Wright Sound WPP100C tube phono stage with WS04 tube power supply
- Benz ACE LO cart; still saving for the Shelter 901
-Hologram MKII and Hologram speaker jumpers
-Empirical Audio Interconnects and Vitual Dynamics P2 power cords
-Martin Logan Ascents Speakers

the CD player and amps as I mentioned on my previous post.

Good luck on your tube preamp search!

Hello everyone. I too have the LS-12 pre-amp. I would like to incorperate some tubes in my system. Should I start with the pre-amp,amp or cdp? The amp is a PS-Audio, the cdp is the Phillips 963. I like the sacd capabilities of the Phillips so I am leaning towards swapping out the pre-amp for a tubed model. Any suggestions on which pre-amp. Thanks

Michgnrick,

Don't get me wrong, the LS-12 is a fine preamp and as a matter of fact, I can live with it in my system. It sounds great! But the tube preamp in my opinion mates very well with a tube CD player counter part. In my system only and I cannot speak for anyone else's.

In fact the LS-12 sounds amazing when I was using a SS CD carousel player and an outboard DAC. I forgot to mention that that's what I have for two channel listening in my HT rig. To tell you the truth, my wife listens a lot of her CD's now because she told me that the sound (with the LS-12 as the preamp)is much better as far as clarity and warmth than when I have the receiver doing all the work.

Tube preamp or tubed CD player may or may not work for you as far as your preference is concern. As a suggestion, check out Mapletree Audio Design's Octal preamp. The price is not stratospheric and maybe it will suit your needs.