Where do tubes matter most???

If your speakers are moderatly efficient , I prefer all tubes. They add a natural richness and level of realism that many SS components can not approach. Tubes do require a small amount of involvement for biasing , replacing tubes, tube rolling. I think its fun. I reccomend Audio research gear to get you started. Its very reliable and well made. My first ARC piece changed my 30+ years of audiophile experences.The sound is so amazing you will not believe how beautiful the sound can be from tube equiptment is.

They matter the most where the most gain is, which generally is in the preamp (or phono stage, even.). All tube system is the best way to go. reserve SS amps for bass-only use, if at all.

-Ed

I suggest all tube. I use no transistors anywhere in my signal path.

Generally speaking I think that tubes usually impart their characteristics most in amplifiers, and depending on their load it may or may not be for the best of technological reasons. There may be some particular tube amps that are exceptions. While I haven't heard them myself (I very much would like to) the Walcotts may be such an exception. As to whether this imparted characteristic is "nice" is open to debate.

The best place to use tubes is in the preamp and source, adding that wonderful distortion (gulp, I admit it) we tube-lovers thrive on.

A "really good" solid state amplifier will add very little to the signal that it's been fed. Note the emphasis on "really good". Using a quality solid state amplifier downstream allows the infamous "straight-wire-with-mucho-gain" amplifier to feed the preconditioned signal to your transducers with authority. The amp will not add any obvious sonic signature to the music but will provide controlled/consistent power to your speakers. I realize this may sound somewhat theoretical and maybe even a bit of a stretch to some, but there are many "really good" solid state amplifiers on the market. It works for me, even sober.

Jeff