To tube or not to tube...

I agree with Sagger, once you listen to good tubed gear it is impossible to go back, just don't forget that there is bad tube gear just like there is bad solid state gear. At least try the tube preamp. I use tubed preamp with solid state amp here in the southwest as a powerful tube amp makes so much heat as to make the room impossible to stay in during the summer months.

AHem

Ok
I'll try to explain my case again...
Starting from your last question:
1)No tubed line stages (preamps) are NOT just for people that like to fiddle about with the insides of stereo equipment.There's just something more "right" with valves in the signal path IMHO
2) THe sound DOES deteriorate over time. But you'll likely not notice. (read on)
3)Small tubes likely to be in a line stage (12AU7, 12AX7,etc) are GOOD for approximately 10000 hrs, which is a little more than 1 year. So, you could leave it on all the time and you would wanty to swap out tubes every year. THe sound of a nonmicrophonic tube that needs to be replaced is hard to identify. Often, tubes lose dynamics, bass, highs, sound flat, too relaxed or recessed, or just plain bad when they have passed their prime. However, it is a gradual process, something that in all probability, you'll never notice, until you decide to replace them and then "WOW!!! THat's how it's supposed to sound!" SO you'll want to have a rough Idea how old your tubes are. I'd say since they are so cheap, and most line stages use very few, I would replace every 1 to 2 years, which is a littl epremature considering how much (or little) the average persion is likely to use the preamp.
4) The "improvement" is there, pal. Tubes sound different. New tubes sound different than old tubes (sometimes) and Czech tubes sound different than Russian tubes or Brit tubes (again, sometimes). In my previous post, I suggested that this method of "creeping" into tubes is great, because there's not as many of the intimidating tubes in a typical preamp as a typical amp. I think that tubes is the way to go, and no, I wasn't born a tube head. From my first "system" to my current one, there has been a progression toward higher fidelity, and then later toward more realism, independent of the recorded information. Since purchasing the tube amp, I and my solid state buddies, have all noticed a more "correct" sound of music ocurring in real space. True, the possible hassles are increased by using tubes vs solid state, as to HOW MUCH extra hassle, that's purely dependent on the particular component in question. For me, it was worth it to get the tubed preamp, even during the first few minutes that it has been on, when it doesn't sound it's best, and when it sometimes chirps or rings a little. The amp, on the other hand has been dead quiet. Both pieces are over 6 years old, I am the second owner of each, and the previous owners were very careful and loving "parents" to my amp and pre. So, Again, I would suggest that you try it. IF you've got the money, and are ready to get jiggy, audition something in your system. GIve it a couple of days. I for one, never went back....