Hybrid tube/ss phono pre amps. Are they better than just Tube or SS alone?

Meambler, I'm curious as to what hybrid tube/ss phono stage you are leaning towards.

I don't know of many hybrid phono stages, maybe Herron with a FET input stage on it's MC inputs.

Or are you talking about tube phono stages that do not use tube regulation in the power supply as a hybrid design (SS power supply/ tube output stage)?
In which case most tube phono stages would fall into this category.

jmcgrogan2 … I pulled this explanation from an article in Canadian WiFi magazine.

"Tube or Tubeless
Much like with most other audio components, when considering a phono stage the quandary of whether to-tube or not-to-tube comes into the mix. Three different types of phono stages exist: solid-state, valve or hybrid. The bulk of phono stage products, especially those in the more affordable range are of solid-state / transistor designs but there continues to be a number of valve / tube-based products, as well as those which are of a hybrid design – utilizing a combination of solid-state and tube. In these hybrid designs, the tubes are typically used as an output buffer to condition and soften the output signal before it is sent to a connected preamplifier. All three designs have their supporters and which is best depends on a number of variables, including the cartridge, turntable, connected electronics and speakers as well as personal preferences."
 
Since I am eventually going to upgrade my whole system I would want a Phono stage that will work with the widest variety of components.

As I understand it… Tubes sound more atmospheric and do a better job on highs and midranges while the SS does a better job with the bass and low end and overall precision of sound (tightness?). The Phono input on my HK990 does a good job with the lows and bass but seems lacking in the midrange.  

When it comes to phono, the traditional myth about solid state doing bass better does not hold.

…"the really big difference between them in preamps is that tubes are better at low level detail."

atmasphere… Does that mean when the volume level is lower coming through the speakers? 

Interesting little article Meambler. It still doesn’t make sense to me, but maybe it’s just me. I have heard of electronics using tubes in a buffer stage, as opposed to the gain stage, but that is normally in CD Players and DACs as far as I know.

I’m not sure that I know of a phono stage that only uses tubes in a buffer stage. Can anyone else help me out here?