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Tubes Through Solid State

I've always had solid state or tubes; never mixed the two.
If I get a tubed front end and run it through a solid state power amp do I lose the tube timbre and depth? In other words are the tubes wasted or does it survive and get passed along? I am thinking BAT tubes for the front and I hae Pass Labs amps.
Thanks
sm2727
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yes, single malts forever.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
And preferably 20+ year old single malts...
inna
7,296 posts
 
Well, I am a modest man and 18 year old Glenlivet is perfectly fine. I can even take 12 some days.
sm2727 OP
115 posts
 
Again, thank you for your thoughts. I drink Costco wine so I am at entry level here. This has served to clarify my thoughts. I think the phono stage is where I need to use my tube money. If the signal is not "tubified" at that point, I would think that tubes beyond that would be coloration of some sort. Preserving the tube qualities is what I am concerned about. I love my set up, but I want to treat myself to something. I would love to abuse a dealer, but I can't buy new so that is not fair. I have to make educated guesses on the gon. Thanks again.
My system:
VPI Superscoutmaster with all the whistles.
Cardas cartridge
Clearaudio Balanced Reference run direct to amps
Pass Labs XA 60's
Coincident Total Eclipse (full range)
custom filter/ Bag End infrasub
Tara Labs wiring
PS audio power generator.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Tube phono stage? That's Lamm, man. That's the stuff worth paying for. About $3000. And it will last for as long as you need it to last.
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