Tubes Through Solid State

03-23-11: Sm2727
Thank-you all for your responses. I just didn't want to pay for tubes in the front end only to find that those tube qualities I am after don't survive the the solid state translation.

I just replaced a SS phono stage with a tubed (Jolida) one in my otherwise SS signal chain and the difference was immediately noticeable. How noticeable such a change would be would also depend on the low level resolution of the downstream components. A mid-'80s Adcom is going to obscure more of the tubes' traits than a Class A Nelson Pass, Krell, or Classe', or even an A/B amp heavily biased into class A.

I may replace my SS line stage with a tubed one but I'll probably keep my SS amp for the control and stability it exerts over my speakers.

Just out of curiosity, anyone mixed Rowland and Lamm?

Ah, so a difference of opinion really does bunch your panties.
I don't really care who builds what and how. I don't like mixing, I have tried it, it is not for me. And I note that I'm not the only poster on this thread who feels the same way.

Somebody needs their sippy cup refilled:)

Dan ed, I bet you prefer Scotch straight to any cocktail. I do too. Shaken not stirred.