Cary Audio: Tube preamp (SLP-98) paired with (SA-200.2) solid state amplifier?

I found a source who tucked away a collection of NOS tubes, and bought a sextet matched set to get four for the SLP-98 plus two spares. It's hard to explain what "worth that" or "better" is without knowing more about the rest of the system. I'd say if your amplifier and speakers are not revealing, maybe it might not be worth it.  If you notice changes with interconnects, maybe you'll see a difference with tubes - just a thought... no science, just trial/error... but here is what I did.  What I discovered is the tube and interconnect changes were more noticeable on my SLP-98 than my former SLI-80 integrated and other amps I've tried with my existing system and speakers.  I was sort of reserved starting out right after buying a brand new preamp, but a good friend with a very large tube collection let me borrow/try several different brands/types, and he was correct, these particular early 50s bottom getter NOS Sylvanias sounded really nice.  I also read some of the same type Raytheons are similar if not the same type of signature sound and can be had for less $.  There was an old magazine article floating around on that from the 80s people passed around that confirmed this too about the Raytheons. I still want to try some early RCAs too, just for grins.  Good luck.  

After five months of running the Cary V12R tube amp in Triode mode with recent cap upgrades to the new Mundorf Silver-Gold caps, I decided pull the V12R and put the SA-200.2 solid state amp back in rotation for a while. Wow, had forgotten how nice this combination is with the SLP-98L really are. The SA-200.2 amp in combo with the active tube preamp produces a HUGE sound stage, deep, wide, really open. If you like having a subwoofer in your system, the SA-200.2 moves fast and blends well with a good subwoofer.  yes, still liking the NOS Sylvania tubes in the preamp, and yes I’d say it’s worth it particularly now with them broken in it just makes the SA-200.2 amp sound that much better having tubes on the front end. Still liking this combo a lot, for anyone considering it, they were right to recommend it. They synergy of these two pieces is spot on particularly when the right interconnects get between these two components.  Now using Cardas Golden Cross RCAs.  Still detailed but has a quality sound.  After a good warm up, sounds very smooth.  Voices sound great too.   

UPDATE: Three years later in 2020.  Nice combination, 1/2 way "there" just did not keep ones interest. It was really a great combo to try, and would be ideal for highly inefficient speakers.  Has it's applications for sure.   Very few SS amps can come close IMO, and they are big $$$. Want "tube sound", go tube :)  

TODAY:
>>went back to all-tube preamp and all-tube mono amplifiers. Missed all-tube "engaging" sound". <<.   

Transistors simply aren't tubes. Period. Although Nelson Pass uses some smart techniques to get close, it's nearly always mentioned that a class A SS amp, the SIT stuff, Class A XA25...well regarded items all...get "close" to a tube amp's sound always with the mention of "the tighter bass from solid state amps." I use a little single ended amp with a tube preamp with solid state subs (efficient speakers...there ya go...I don't think tube subwoofer amps exist, although you could use a couple of Ampeg SVT bass amps or some large mono tube amps maybe) and there is no missing bass "control" at all. 

Hi Wolf,
Incidentally, on that note I live in Pass land. :) Threshold, Pass, XA, Firstwatt, all around me, everywhere here. Along with competing AudioNote custom tube amp builders (battle of the amp builders..hahah)  Grew up working at the same speaker factory back in the 80s where it all kinda started..., prior with Dr. Von Heil (FET transistors). My grandfather worked on those FET projects back east too, in-depth.  For one, i'm truly amazed at what Nelson has managed to do and how "close" he gets with transistors. Agree on XA25, maybe more so than SIT-3.  More recent proof in getting closer is his recent DIY stuff with "NuTube", tube is tube.  Look up NuTube DIY preamps if you have not done so.   He is no stranger to tube :)  Transistors is just what he does, well. 

Even tried some of DH Inspires as a follow-on to some earlier Triode Cary stuff. All done with that now  Achieving the right combo of tube power with dynamics has been the goal for me (with my particular cutsom designed hybrid electrostatic speakers), much closer now with local design dual mono amps. Back to pentode now - not triode. With the right bias, the right triode input tubes, pentode power is hitting the sweat spot now for me - lush with notable dynamics while retaining deep wide sound stage.    Build all my own speakers past 40 years.  I run dual custom built Scanspeak solid state powered subs myself, very musical too. Good fun!