Solid state power + tube pre or visa versa?

I am a tube pre-amp/Class D power amp fan myself and use that in my main system.

I recently added a digital Class D integrated amp to my second system just to see how that might do in comparison and have been fairly pleased though the two sound significantly different. I could probably live with either sound alone if I had to.

I would also consider downsizing to a hybrid integrated like Rogue Pharoah or Sphinx as well if I had to.

Class D amps is SS but a totally different ballgame than Class A/B or even Class A and should hold a lot of appeal for many.

Speakers really drive the decision as to what type of amp to use. Power ratings, impedance, etc. and, efficiency of the speakers. The room size and layout also affect the decision on amp.

I have heard excellent solid state pre-amps to tube amps driving fairly efficient speakers. I have also heard excellent tube pre-amp driving tube and solid state amps.

Just remember that when you are auditioning speakers in the store, you are also auditioning the amp/pre-amp combination also. So, be prepared to request the store salesperson to swap amps and pre-amps with that set of speakers.

Have at least two different amps of the correct power ratings and impedance characteristics available with the speakers.

This would also be a great opportunity to listen to a solid state power amp and tube power amp with the specific speakers to be auditioned. Just to hear the differences.

For example, I would want to audition a particular set of speakers at a store and say for example they also carry Mark Levinson and Audio Research equipment or Atmosphere equipment.

You can then swap the amps (ss vs tube) with a particular pre-amp to hear the differences on the specific speakers.

So, room size, listening position from the speakers and really important, my price point for the speakers will determine what speakers I can afford and which ones I really like first.

Then, what amps can specifically correctly and accurately drive those speakers. Taking into account what the speaker manufacturer recommends also. Solid state and tube.

Then, audition pre-amps with the speaker/amp combination.

I haven't even started on cables and power conditioners, etc.

But, decide on the speakers first (if you are starting from scratch), and work backwards from there.

I hear more detail with my tubed pre-amp and solid state amp on the upper panels of my Martin Logan Monolith III Speakers. However, the Audio Research REF 250's just sound soooo good that I use the Mark Levinson on the base drivers and the AR REF 250's on the upper panels, with a AR REF 3 tube preamp.

Very hard speakers to drive, but tube pre-amp and tube/solid state amp combination works well for me.

enjoy

I think, you finally have an opportunity to have all tube pre/power. Why not seize the moment?

The op can seize any moment he chooses really. He's asking the right questions to help decide.

11-03-15: Dismord
... find myself wondering at a recommendation that the combination of solid state preamp with tube power amp is ALWAYS better.

Unequivocal absolute statements like that are ALMOST ALWAYS wrong :-). This being no exception.

This question has been debated in many past threads, and IMO the only reasonable answer is that it depends. On many things. Including what kind of amplification the speakers are designed to be used with, how their impedance varies as a function of frequency, how much power they need, the relation between the input impedance of the amplifier and the output impedance characteristics of the preamp (tube pre/ss power being the easiest combo to go wrong with in that respect), listener preferences, listener budget (a given number of tube watts will generally tend to cost more than the same number of solid state watts, for comparable quality), and of course the specific choice of components.

In my 35 years as an audiophile I've had some experience with all four combinations, and in recent years I've settled on tube-friendly speakers, tube power amplification, and solid state preamplification (although used in conjunction with a phono stage that I've just changed from solid state to tube-based).

Sorry to hear about the flood issue you experienced. Good luck as you proceed.

Regards,
-- Al