Is a tube phono better than ss?

Salectric, a lot has to do with how 'fast' the preamp is. If you have poor slewing rates that won't go well with active EQ IMO.

I also find almost any preamp with active EQ to be a little brighter (my guess is due to odd ordered harmonics but if so they are so low as to not show up on conventional test gear).

Cheap vinyl and protecting ones investment in a record library are both phono things. Tubes will almost always ADD cost, so one should be confident that the additional investment is a good one for them. THat's all that matters.

I found atmospheres post most informative. Having said that I have owned several phono stages, some tube some ss. My last two both ss. Both extremely quiet with no pops or ticks. Both outstanding units. Both ss done right. My issue with tube set ups and why I no longer am an owner is the constant need for repair or replacement and the energy inefficiency along with the extensive heat they put out. I have read many complaints from audiogoners about how bad vinyl is do to pops and clicks. I had never, in the last 15yrs or so, experienced their complaints so always felt they were wrong or doing something wrong. But thanks to Atmosphere explanation I now understand it and why quality and engineering matter. Like all things there are infinite ways of getting from point A to point B. Not all equal but when done right all enjoyable.

Tube good, ss bad :)

My tube phonoe stage has 8 tubes (4 x 12AU7, 4 x 12AX7). My cartridge output is .2mv, so I use a step up. My speakers are also very inefficient, so I have to turn up the volume on my preamp quite a bit.

Because of these factors I do hear a wee bit of tube rush coming out of it. I didn't hear that before I got this cartridge and speakers, using it with a higher output MM cartridge.

However, it makes no difference at all once the music starts playing. Truly enveloping sound.

I've heard several SS units sound very good on others systems. The differentiating factor there is that their vinyl sounded very similar to their digital, maybe a wee bit better. On my home system there is just no comparison. Vinyl rules outright (and I do have a very good digital player).