2. amps-preamps
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Solid State amps with tube preamps

I'm sure this topic has been discussed in great detail but I'd like to hear some voices chime in on my specific dilemma. I have a pair of martin logan spires powered by tube amps. I really love the sound but am really enticed to try out full range stats for awhile. I think I would want to switch to solid state on the amp end but I am afraid of what that could do. Since they have different strengths I worry that the tube preamp signal won't work to the strong suits of the solid state amps. My preamp is a steelhead run as a full preamp. I listen almost exclusively to vinyl, lots of rock, electronic and jazz so I'm trying to put something well rounded together. Has anyone done something similar?
bfin3
brauser
526 posts
 
The best I have ever heard Martin Logans sound is with tube amps. Long ago I had Infinity RS1Bs and used ARC solid state amps for the bass modules and ARC tube amps for the treble panels. I matched that up with an ARC tube preamp and the best TT I could afford at the time. It couldn't compete with the current top shelf systems today, but it was very musical and just a lot of fun to listen to. I've always liked the solid state amp, tube preamp approach particularly if you value dynamic bass while still retaining some tube sweetness in the system.
sgunther
187 posts
 
I have the Martin Logan Summits which I used with an Aesthetix Calypso tube preamp and Rogue M-180 tube amp for several years. I recently replaced the Rogue M-180 with the Aesthetix Atlas amp which has tube input and solid state output. The change has been very satisfying.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I like my tubes in the phono stage, as I believe cracks & pops behave a bit differently going through a tubed stage as opposed to a solid state stage.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Just get a stronger TUBE amp. If you like tubes go all in. The AMP will have more impact on sound than the pre. Make sure amp and pre are a good match.
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