The future of preamps

Active preamp or bust! It is key to a well put together system!

Right on brother.

I have had 6h30 tubes before, LOL!, sounded to much like solid state

Many people say that about the 6H30 tube.

[quote]If by using the term "tubey" you mean warmth and coloration then Atma-Sphere products might not be for you.

I've never had the Atma pre-amps in my system, but thge M-60s were remarkable for thsir speed and transparency. I wish I never sold them.

Audiolabyrnith,
I am not certain what you imply by "tube magic" what attracts me to tube component is their musical honestly and thus a more natural and realistic sound. There are some tube components that seem to add a false warmth coloration and those types have never interested me. I don't care for most SS components as they tend to wash out the natural tone, body, bloom and vibrancy that exists in live music. The Atma-Sphere preamp along with the top echelon tube units just gets closer to the truth with less editorializing.

I don't know if this applies to you or not,but what many peopl here refer to as "neutral" SS sound is sterile, lifeless and artificial to me. YMMV is understood.
Charles,

Charlesdad +1 - Well stated. I look for the same thing in my gear - so far tubes give it the best. Well, at least in my experience.

Swampwalker,
You have a VAC Renaissance amplifier? I've always thought highly of those push pull 300b designs. You prefer the Atma-Sphere amplifier instead? Different flavors for sure, I can understand the appeal of either depending on a given system's desired character.
Charles,

Charles- I do have a Vac Ren 30/30 now (as well as a couple of others). I sold the M-60s for I know not what reason and since I have more than 1 amp here, I do believe that I should have kept them as well as my VAC. The VAC needs a repair now, it has a hummmmm that I cannot get rid of, which was not there before it slipped when I was trying to replace it in my rack, and a lot of weight landed on the feedback selector. The Vac is going to have to go into the shop and I have a pair of Coincident MP300bs coming to try out w a pair of one-off OB speakers w Feastrex field coil single drivers (w powered subs) that are also on their way here.