Your tube preamp and ss amp thread


Last night I was listening to my tube preamp and my tube mono blocks, noticed an imbalance in the sound, and as usual I traced it to a tube problem in the mono blocks. Luckily, I also own a ss stereo amp as a 'backup'. IME, ss amps tend to be a lot more reliable than tube amps. Nonetheless, I would be interested in how many other folk run a tube preamp and ss amp combo, and if so, what are your choices.
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Modwright LS100 and Herron Audio M1 monoblocks. The LS100 will soon be replaced by a Herron Audio VTSP-360.

ARC LS 26 and Wyred 4 Sound ST-1000 mkII in my bedroom system. 
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BAT VK51SE pre and Krell FBP-300 amp. One of the great Dan D'Agastino class A designs from before he left Krell.

While I have often paired tube preamps w/ SS power amps and believe this route often makes great sense, the pairing of amp and speakers is far more important. IMHO, the preamp choice is more independent unless you have a relatively rare impedance mismatch.

If you are dipping your toe into tubes for the first time, preamps are certainly a simpler and less costly way to do so. Tube rolling options are WAY more available (vs. rolling tube power amps) and will allow tuning to your personal taste easily and at modest cost. Cheers,
Spencer  
I have a tube preamp and SS amp (McIntosh C2600 & MC302).  I was a tube novice (and ignorant) and appreciate the features and sound.

I've gained a bit more exposure to tube systems and for me it comes down to the results.  I've been impressed with Audio Research, VTL and Rouge as well as McIntosh and other SS manufacturers like Moon, Naim.

Enjoy the music and the process.