Tube Amp or Tube Pre Amp

For those of you who have experience with tubes, what would be your preference.

Tube Amp with tube preamp, Tube Amp with solid state preamp, or Solid state Amp with tube preamp

My system currently is Mcintosh MC352 Amp Solid State, Mcintosh C49 Pre Amp SS, Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers.

I want to try tubes so with my current set up should I go tube amp or tube preamp?

Thanks

referee110-18-2024 3:53pm

wbs Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 79 posts 10-18-2024 at 06:56pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete If cost of ownership is of any concern, it is worthwhile noting that preamp tubes last a very long time while amplifier power tubes have definite lifetimes. I say this having recently replaced 8 kt88s in my amp. I will also say that I wouldn't have it any other way. Bill
stereo5 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,453 posts 10-18-2024 at 07:17pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I have always gone with a tube preamp and solid state amp. I currently use a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp and a McIntosh MC 302 solid state amp. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
noromance Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 9,907 posts 10-18-2024 at 07:30pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Almost 40 years ago (is it that long?), I switched to all tubes. But along the way, I took the tube preamp with solid state power amp route. This is what I’d recommend initially.
Post removed Oct 18, 2024
bolong Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 651 posts 10-18-2024 at 08:32pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete With my Cornwall 4's the current setup is a Primaluna EVO 400 pre between a Holo May KTE DAC and Audion Mk3 GanFet monobloc power amps.. This is a very congenial grouping for me.