Can you have too many tubes?

Kdbrink, there's no such thing as too many tubes, only getting a good balance/synergy for a musically natural and neutral system.

I don't know the TAD-150 preamp, so I don't know what degree of opportunity you might have for improvement through adding a dedicated phono stage. Clearly, there are some excellent dedicated phono stages available that could improve most systems (e.g., Aesthetix Io Signature, Aesthetix Rhea, Manley Steelhead, etc.). The expenditure you're willing to make will be a big factor here. Hopefully someone familiar with your current preamp will chime in.
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My stereo requires 110 tubes and when my new open reel tape machine arrives, it will be 124 tubes :^).

As Rushton says, it's balance and musicality that matter. Don't worry about how many tubes, just how it sounds.

Albertporter, where did you get your system...Circuit City :-) Seriously, that must be audio heaven on earth! I heard those Dalis at the CES...I would put them in the coveted "state of the art" category...with tubes. I was mesmerized. Heard them the next year, with SS...ugh! I couldn't believe that it was the same speaker.

BTW, could you please list the number of tubes per piece of gear? Just curious....thanks!

I actually think that you can have too many tubes. My amp, preamp, and phono stage are all tubes. When I upgragded my digital set-up I looked hard at a tube CDP, but ended up going with a solid state transport and DAC. Now I am also looking into a new phono stage and will be auditionaing 3 in home (Whest .20, Hagerman Trumpet, and Decware SP-1.5). Two are tubed and one is solid state. I'm actually anxious to hear how the solid state one performs (the Whest).

I am big believer in the tube sound, but sometimes a solid state design can be a great addition to the mix. The DAC I have was designed by an engineer whose other products are tube. He just thought tubes were not a good match with his DAC design and I would have to agree based on how it sounds. As for moving up to a dedicated phono stage, that would depend on how happy you were with the TAD phono stage. I see where today there is a MC option, but it appears you have the MM only. If you intend to move up to MC, which I prefer, then you'll need to add a phono stage. If your intent is to stay with MM and you're happy with what the TAD provides, there is little sense in adding another component ot the mix.

You don't mention budget which might influence my advice to you. A phono stage can ceratinly improve and upgrade your sound, but could cost you more, possibly much more than what you have invested in your preamp. Going back to the tubes, there is such a thing as too warm a sound, which an all tube system may give you. Again this is just my opinion and you may experience something different. I would at least do some in home testing on phono stages if that is possible. That is the only way to be sure if it upgrades your system and if tube or solid state is the way to go.