The dampening factor should be a 10 times factor as a minimum. That is the preamps X 10 (or more) = the amps.
Typically, I have not heard of people adding coupling caps on their own. There are also those that say that the use of coupling capacitors degrades the performance. I can neither agree or disagree with this as I have never had the opportunity to listen to the same components within a system with the caps activated and then with them not activated.
My preamp (Aesthetix Calypso) has output coupling capacitors. My amp (Krell FPB300C) has the ability to activate input coupling capacitors; however, I have never done this due to my preamps configuration (ie. no need to).
There are many very good combinations of tubed preamps with SS power amps, and there are some suggestion above.
However, this does not mean such recommendations are good for you. To get the best feedback, you should consider a couple of items and report on these to get better feedback for your goals. Such as:
Do you already have speakers you want to keep for the long term? If so, what are they? This will say a lot about what other equipment is most apt to play well.
What sources (digital or analog) you prefer and run?
What are your performance objectives (other than everything), what are the 2-3 most important characteristics to you?
Share some info, including budget (perhaps you don't need to hear about the best $12,000 combo if your budget is $3,000 for example). New/used?
There are many people that run tubed preamps with SS power amps without any coupling capacitors and some say there is little risk. While I don't dispute that the risk may be low (especially if you are good about watching your tubes), my concern has been once I got to a certain level (ie. budget), I was not willing to risk a large (to me) investment in a power amp by taking this risk.
You can get great sound from moderately prices equipment and don't need to spend tens of thousands to get very rewarding sound. You can also spend tens of thousands and get not very rewarding sound!
Typically, I have not heard of people adding coupling caps on their own. There are also those that say that the use of coupling capacitors degrades the performance. I can neither agree or disagree with this as I have never had the opportunity to listen to the same components within a system with the caps activated and then with them not activated.
My preamp (Aesthetix Calypso) has output coupling capacitors. My amp (Krell FPB300C) has the ability to activate input coupling capacitors; however, I have never done this due to my preamps configuration (ie. no need to).
There are many very good combinations of tubed preamps with SS power amps, and there are some suggestion above.
However, this does not mean such recommendations are good for you. To get the best feedback, you should consider a couple of items and report on these to get better feedback for your goals. Such as:
Do you already have speakers you want to keep for the long term? If so, what are they? This will say a lot about what other equipment is most apt to play well.
What sources (digital or analog) you prefer and run?
What are your performance objectives (other than everything), what are the 2-3 most important characteristics to you?
Share some info, including budget (perhaps you don't need to hear about the best $12,000 combo if your budget is $3,000 for example). New/used?
There are many people that run tubed preamps with SS power amps without any coupling capacitors and some say there is little risk. While I don't dispute that the risk may be low (especially if you are good about watching your tubes), my concern has been once I got to a certain level (ie. budget), I was not willing to risk a large (to me) investment in a power amp by taking this risk.
You can get great sound from moderately prices equipment and don't need to spend tens of thousands to get very rewarding sound. You can also spend tens of thousands and get not very rewarding sound!