Tube and SS pairs

I used to have a McIntosh C50 solid state preamp paired with an MC452 solid state power amp.

One of my buddies implored me to try a tube preamp, so I snagged a McIntosh C2500 and immediately noticed that vocals, acoustic guitars, pianos, violins, etc. sounded "smoother" and "more musical".  When I replaced the stock tubes with Gold Lions, the sound was even "more musical".

I'm not an engineer but I believe that solid state power amps are better at controlling loudspeakers.  Back in the 70's I had a tube power amp and used it quite often, after about a year it seemed that it wore down the tubes, once replaced, it sounded more alive and resolving.

So count me "in" for a tube preamp/solid state power amp vote!

As with all things audio, generalizations are well.....generalizations. 

For example, I've found that my Soundlab electrostatic speakers are better controlled and produce deeper more controlled bass when using CAT or Atma-sphere tube amplification vs Mark Levinson, Parasound and Pass Labs solid state amplification.  When first inserted, the CAT's control and bass abilities were quite profound and instantaneously recognizable.  Now, that's not to say a solid state wouldn't be better, simply because I've never heard one that is.  In the scheme of things, I've heard very few amps with my speakers. 

The ss vs tube question is such a difficult one because the variables are so unlimited -- i.e. dozens, if not 100's of applicable ss amps, an equal or greater number of pre-amps, cables and front ends.  Which supports my generalization point.  I've found tubes to work with my speakers.  But a ss amp may work equally as well or better.  I just haven't found one yet.  So the tube vs ss question is NOT one that is easily answered, or in my mind, really relevant.

But an electrostatic speaker's amplification needs are different than a cone and dome speaker's needs.  With different speakers and even different models of the aforementioned solid state amplifiers, the results could have been different; hence my point about generalizations.   

So, with any certainty, unfortunately, it's impossible to generalize about the use of a tube pre-amp as opposed to a ss pre-amp coupled to a ss amp or even a tube amp.  

I can understand your question, because I've been there many times.  But until I auditioned a CAT JL1 amplifier against my Mark Levinson 336 ss amp, and Parasound JC1 monoblocks, I too wouldn't had thought the difference would be so dramatic.  Now, I may have simply run into a tube amp that was different from the pack.  The CAT having house-wound 55lb transformers in each monoblock, certainly makes a difference.  Whose to say that sort of design decision doesn't significantly blur the tube vs ss generalized differences.  Which brings up the fact that I believe the designer and design is more important than the amplification path (ss vs tubes) that is chosen.    

I guess what I'm saying is you not only need to try a tube pre-amp, you need to try several dozens of pre-amp brands in order to judge what tubes do in your system's case.  If you picked several different tube and ss pre-amps, you may be surprised to find that the difference between them based solely on their design (tubes vs ss), isn't as easily discernible as they are oftentimes generalized to be.
   

  

In my case, I ended up with a tube pre- & SS amp because of my speakers, Thiel CS 3.5’s. When I first got the Thiels (I’m the second owner), I was driving them with a SS integrated. With it, the Thiels were ruthlessly revealing...poorly recorded material was so harshly presented, it was almost unlistenable. 

So, in effort to tame some of that harshness, as well as introduce some of that tube-sound into my system, I got an Audio Research LS-7 line-stage. I looked at matching the LS-7 with an ARC tube amp. However, I got a lesson in component matching from several great members here:  the Thiels were simply not a great match for the tube amps that were in my budget. Additionally, because of the music I listen to the most (mostly rock, rest Latin/Bossa nova & Jazz), I really didn’t need that extra warmth tubes were going to provide. What I needed was dynamic speed, bass & control. So I went with an ARC D-240 Mk. II SS amp. The two ARC pieces together have been wonderful. Since then, I’ve added an ARC PH-3 tubes phono-stage as well. 

IMO, if you’re going to mix & match, you can’t go wrong with having tubes in the source & pre- stages. However, depending on your speakers & the type of music you prefer, SS may be a better option. I will admit that the advantage of ease-of-use & maintenance are other SS advantages, but I would put those aside because if you’re looking for that lush, warm glow that only tubes provide...you have to go all tube. 

Hope you’re enjoying the music...

Arvin