Tube pre- or amp: does it matter?

Thanks to all for your responses. I'm getting a sense that the biggest difference is probably the comparative price of tube rolling (and perhaps the heat on those hot summer days). I confess that I put the proverbial cart before the horse (in this case, the amp before the pre) by leaping at the dutch auction of TAD-60 amps earlier this week. I was struck by the impulse and then decided to ask the question. I figured I could audition it for the 15 day trial period with the Placette pre and see what difference it makes.

There was a modicum of rationale to the impulse, in that I thought the combo of transparent passive pre with tube amp might be a more balanced combination than less transparent MacIntosh and tube pre. On the other hand, I've also thought of replacing both with a tube pre and perhaps something like NuForce amps (having been intrigued by some of the comments here and elsewhere).

I appreciate Mahandave's point about anchoring the system with something strong because every 5 years I've gotten the itch and each time it gets more and more expensive. (not to say that my 5 year itch will ever entirely cease.)

Your responses are extremely helpful as I go down the road.
Thanks again,

To try and answer your original question... If you are going to go with just one, the general consensus is to go with the preamp. Reason being that the amp can only "amplify" the signal it is sent - so you can induce tube goodness with a pre. Beyond that, a s/s amp offers tighter bass control.

From a practical perspective this does two things for you:

#1 - you can spend less - look at the AES AE-3 for about $400 on Agon

#2 - you don't have to worry about how much poop you need for your speakers, the speaker impedance curve etc if what you already have works well. Also as Gunbei notes, a big tube amp throws lots of heat which may or may not be an issue for you. Since the only way to get more power is to use more or bigger tubes...

Maybe these comments arrive a bit late but... Like with any system when it comes to synergy of components I would tread cautiously in matching speakers and power amps, yet to my mind that may well evoke the most rewarding musical result in adding tubed components in one location of a system. A tubed Pre is maybe better added to tubed power amps for many reasons IMHO. Although I differ with some on what is THE most important single component, my choice being the source, hands down. If you don't recover the music, how can one amplify it? That said, the recent addition of Atma-Sphere OTL’s to my system was profound and astounding. Best of luck Holderlin with your search.
Happy Listening!

I started with ss Symphonic Line RG1 with Klimo tube pre amp.Very nice.Then switched out SL for Graff GM100 OTL and more magic.Then I went to another higher level with Chapter Audio SS amp followed by their Preface pre.I truely could not beleive SS could sound so good(and beleive me I love tubes)

Holderin,

What preamp choice did you ultimately make and how are you liking it? I've just gone and done nearly the same thing as you--bought a tube amp (Air Tight ATM-2) on impulse ahead of choosing a preamp. Now, I'm shopping for a preamp and looking at these--Air Tight ATC-3, Herron VTSP-1, Modwright SWL 9.0 SE, Supratek Chardonnay, Acoustic Masterpiece C101, and EAR 834L. I'd have the Cary SWL 98 in there too, but I already have a Cary intergrated system that gives me a warm, "romantic" sound and I'm assembling this 2nd system for, theoretically, a more linear, transparent, and balanced presentation.