2. amps-preamps
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Solid state power + tube pre or visa versa?

Over the decades I've run solid state preamps with tube power amps and the other way around without being able to say which combination is necessarily always going to be better. I'm about to replace an entire system lost on a flood and find myself wondering at a recommendation that the combination of solid state preamp with tube power amp is ALWAYS better. Wanting to reduce my shortlist of potential amps I wonder if anyone has has a theory as to why these claims are made, a scientific one that is.
At the moment my short list is headed by the same Leban preamp I lost with a pair of bi-amped solid state power amps. Any thoughts?
Speakers are yet to be considered - I know - I should audition them first then choose amplification . All I know for sure is they WONT be horn loaded and highly efficient. Something like the top KEF's reference series maybe.
dismord
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,311 posts
 
"When is the last time you have seen a hybrid integrated with the power amp section tubes and the preamp section solid state?"

That's a good point.

One common scenario where tube pre-amp and SS amp might not work as well as possible is when SS amp has low input impedance, say under 40-60Kohm. Part of putting together an effective combo is to make sure to get this right.

With SS pre-amp and tube amp that issue will not arise however now one must be particualrly careful about choice of speakers to provide an "easy load" for teh tube amp to drive.

GEt those two things right and either way should work out well.
1extreme's avatar
1extreme
161 posts
 
Here is a read you might find interesting:

http://www.soundstage.com/noisy04.htm
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Tube amps always make the bigger (for the better) difference, but both tube amp and tube pre works best for me. Good luck.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,992 posts
 
Yogiboy,
"A tube preamp with a solid state power amp is the preferred combination."

+1
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,311 posts
 
SS pre-amp with tube power amp can work on paper but probably least desirable and relatively uncommon.

Most that want a tube power amp (higher maintenance and TCO) will also likely want a tube pre-amp (which does not add much if any downside at that point).

Probably no need to think about tube stages in any source devices as well in any case once in place somewhere upstream.
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