Where do the tubes go?

I agree with the above responses, in my experiences tubes have the most impact on the sound when working from the speakers backwards. In other words, a tube amp will give you more tube 'flavor' than a tube preamp or tube source. Now a tube amp also usually requires more maintenance than line level tube products, which is why many use a tube preamp or source with solid state amp.

For someone who is not familiar with tube components and their issues, the best place to start is with a tubed pre-amp (IMHO).

However if you're up to getting the most/biggest differences from using tubes, a tubed CD source (or phono pre-amp for that matter) or, especially, amp is best. The source is easiest, just like a pre-amp. It is closer to maintenance free. But an amp is not for the faint hearted. It takes some knowledge in selection and maintenance to make it work for you. The lazy need not apply! :-)

Personally, I would, and for that matter do, use a tubed pre-amp and tubed amp matched to speakers which are easy for a tube amp to drive. My sources are selected independent of the ss/tubed issue and I can enjoy both. A good tubed integrated can also be an excellent choice. I've used them successfully for all but the most demanding 'audio' situations.

I bought a new factory upgraded Jolida 502P for a little over a grand, it requires almost zero maintenance (you don't HAVE to tube roll, and the bias adjustment screws are easy to get to on the top of the amp), and sounds fabulous right out of the box. RCA and XLR ins, 4 and 8 ohm speaker outs...all user friendly. Don't be frightened...it's easy...come on in...

I believe the talk about tube amplifier maintenance is often over stated. They are actually quite simple to own based on my ownership of various models the past 20 years. My current 300b SET amp has been utterly a piece of cake to have and is fuss free. Auto bias and just three tubes per mono block. Jump in the water`s fine.

Charles, Your experience has been fine, but is by no means universal. A major hurdle, IMHO, is matching the tube amps output impedance (curve) with the speakers frequency response. Not a simple issue for most, but especially for a tyro who has no experience with the wide range of possibilities available to him and can easily chose an amp that will sound like crap just because it is a tonal or electrical mismatch. He will need guidance by some one familiar with his speakers, his environment, as well as what he expects tonally. Just determining the type of amp he will enjoy most is no small task. A 300b amp is just one of many possibilities which will work fine.

Maintenance wise, the only really major issue, apart from the quality of the units themselves and their ability to provide long service with out premature failures, is, if one is not a techie and has an amp which blows out a resistor when he has a power tube failure has to truck the amp off to a repair shop or mail it somewhere for repairs. Simple repairs, not too expensive, but many tube amps are very heavy and a PITA to haul about. Now if he were a techie he could simply replace the resister himself. No big deal.

I think telling someone to just 'jump in, the waters fine', should only be given to someone to who has learned about the water, i.e. its depth, temp, and any hidden currents, so they will not just find themselves over their head and freezing after they jump in. :-)

FWIW I have several high power tube amps which are or have been, ultimately, fine boat anchors. ARC, Sonic Frontiers, Mesa, Cayin, and some I've probably forgot.