Benefits of tube sound with SS amp with tube cdp?

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.

I use a tube cdp. I like the rounded feel to voices and bells. There is a spaciousness, and feeling of air I don't hear with solid state cdps.

I use a Pass Labs Alepyh P to do switching and volume. Pass labs X600 monos push the 1 ohm load my speakers present.

The Pass equipment is sweet and clean, allowing every nuance of my tube rolling to clearly show through.

This thread prompted me to try the cdp direct to the amp.
The way it was set up before made the 1m IC too short to reach the amp or I would have tried it sooner. Bottom line is it sounds better through the Placette Passive than direct from the Granite 657 to amp. It's very good direct, but it does not have the same three dimensional image as through the linestage.

Eagle, thanks very much for the trial and the feedback. These interactive threads are the way this site prospers. Info, debate and discussion motivate people to try new things. Ultimately, Audiogon hopes we try new things by purchasing the new or used equipment on this site, but at the end of the day our interraction with solid feedback is what I enjoy. Thanks to all who have contributed on this thread (so far).