Adding a SS amp as a 2nd amp for my tube rig has been a plus

@jtcf 
Yes, synergy is the x factor here. I can just imagine, though, that if someone figured out a combination with a good preamp, great tube, and decent SS amp, they might really equal a lot of other combinations. Just musing out loud, not really thinking this would be easy or practical.

Several things have kept me from dabbling in tube amp waters in recent years:

1) Relatively small and simple Class D amps (modern technology) have delivered all the goods for me. Don’t know if there is a Class A/B SS amp that could.....have not found one to date though I have heard a few elsewhere in recent years that might .
2) None of my current preferred speakers are designed with tube amps in mind
3) I listen to all kinds of music including modern pop/rock (loud recordings and tube amps do not always mix well) sometimes at higher SPL and tube amp needed for this would be larger with more tubes to deal with and probably higher TCO over time.

I do use a tube pre-amp with my Class D amps but when time comes for a change I will probably try to loose the tubes there too. Audio Research sp16 tube pre-amp-> Bel Canto Ref1000m Class D. I do not like the extra cost and maintenance often involved with tube gear, especially larger beefier tube amps with many tubes.

I do think sometime I will try out a separate rig ideally with easy load higher efficiency speakers mainly because I am always looking to try different things and would likely dabble with a small tube amp TBD there.

How do you handle the cable switching between the amps?

The best way is to use a Beresford Switch. I use it to switch source amps between my main amps (Cary Audio Six Pac mono blocks) and my SS amp (Classe Fifteen) which I use when I'm not doing any serious listening and just want background music on or for parties. The Beresford switch is NOT a speaker switch, i.e., it's not for switching between different sets of speakers. It is a source switch made specifically to safely switch between two sets of amps. No need to fuss with switching cables once its in the system.

J.Chip

I considered this amp switch, at some point: https://sites.google.com/view/pine-tree-audio/devices/transparent-selector

Hi , may I ask what SS amp you’re running? I run a modest tube pre and low power tube power amp . I’ve had huge improvements with pre tubes , and again with the amp driver tube . But the rectifier and power tubes have had a profound change too . I’m pining for a Pass or First Watt in my existing system . I have a nice stash of paired NOS power tubes , but I’ve stayed with new KT-120’s as it allows we to omit a sub. This is another reason I’d like to add a SS power amp . Regards , Mike .