Tube Preamp Paired with Tube Phono Stage?

I know this is a very rough generalization, but, I find that the idea of "balancing" perceived strengths and weaknesses or one kind of sound with its opposite (e.g., "warm" sounding component with a "thin" component) rarely works out as planned. One tends, more often to get the "worst of all worlds" rather than the best.

If you are a tube person, stick with tubes for amps, linestage and phono, and if you like solid state, stick with that throughout. While it is possilbe to mix and match, the results are unpredictable (it is NEVER obvious which combination will work).

I generally agree with Mulveling's comments. One of the big advantages (or possible source of frustration) of tube gear is the ability to "tune" the sound with different selection of tubes. There is a LOT of tube gear that actually sounds thin, bright, hard and harmonically threadbare (often times more extremely so than typical solid state gear), so don't assume that tubes will get you a warmer sound.

I don't agree that there is an advantage to using solid state with really low output cartridges. A properly selected step up transformer (and one properly located physically) used with very low output cartridges can be completely noise free. I just heard a .05 mv cartridge feeding a 1 to 30 step up transformer into a tube MM stage that was dead quiet and unbelievably good sounding. My .30 mv cartridge is quiet with a tube phonostage that has a built in step up transformer.

Well it appears as if Larryi and myself are in complete disagreement. That's ok, that's why they make so many different flavors.

I do have to say that I don't agree that "balancing" rarely works out as planned. In fact, I believe that we all balance our systems. In the "more than one way to skin a cat" category, I find that many audiophiles argue over which preamp, amp, cartridge, etc is better, when the answer lies within their own systems and rooms.

For example, I tend to enjoy warm, musical speakers, soft dome tweeter type. Now I like to pair them with revealing electronics like Audio Research or VAC gear. I've found that C-J and Cary gear put me to sleep. Now I know many people love C-J and Cary, and when I look at their systems, I usually see them using more revealing speakers, cables, etc. Koetsu cartridges don't work in my system. Now maybe if I buy more revealing speakers and cables (Nordost?) I'd like the Koetsu with a C-J preamp, who knows? Now how about the room? Is it a dead room? A lively room?

From my experiences, it's ALL about balancing. ALL warm equipment will lull me to sleep. ALL thin equipment will have me running from the room pulling my hair out. I think the sound that we all enjoy is more similar than many people realize. There are just many different ways to arrive at the same destination. As always, YMMV.

Hello everyone. So, I purchased the Manley Chinook on Monday. Can't wait to set it up. I have high expectations for the sound quality. Hopefully, I won't be disappointed. Given all the hype to date about this new item from Manley, I expect it will deliver as advertised. Once I've had a chance to test drive it, I'll let you know my thoughts. Again, thanks for all of the replies.

I do try to attain a particular sonic result and that obviously means trying to balance tonal qualities and balance and manage tradeoffs. I was merely cautioning against assuming that one can determine the intrinsic qualities of one component (e.g.this amp is warm but sluggish) which means it can be matched with another component of somewhat opposite character (this component is fast and detailed) to attain a medium ground or the best of both--the results are largely unpredictable. Everything requires a trial. The results are particularly unpredictable, and often disappointing, when someone mixes and matches tube and solid state amplification.

I have often been taken completely by surprise by nice sounding systems that sounded completely different from what I expected given what I've heard from these components in a completely different system.

Yes, I do have certain general preferences and I tend to like and dislike certain types of gear, but, there are often exceptions to such generalizations--either exceptional implementation of a design, or system matching with surprising results. An example of the former, for me, involves ceramic driver speakers--I generally don't like them--but I heard Tidal speakers that I thought were promising. The example of great system matching involved a system built around Spectral electronics that sounded nothing like other systems I've heard using that gear.

The point is: it is all about system balancing and matching, but, that requires experimentation and not reading reviews or going on reputation or relying too heavily even on what one heard from a component in a different system. This necessarily involves home trial (good relationship with dealers is a must) and an open mind.

Well now it seems that I agree with Larryi. :)
Lot's of folks ask for advice, and if they know what they want you can kind of guide them in a general direction. However, there is absolutely no substitute for listening in your own system/room, with your own ears.

That Chinook looks very interesting Steve, very flexible, let us know what you think. Do you have some NOS 6DJ8 variant tubes to play with?