MC5200 or a MC275 with preamp

"So my question is: is THIS tube amp really significantly better than this solid state amp?"

Its a difficult question to answer. You're the one that has to listen to it so it really comes down to what you think. Both are excellent amps but it looks like you only heard the MC5200, and not the 275.

You really owe it to yourself to listen to a 275 before you get one. If it will drive your speakers, chances are that you will like it. But there is no gaurantee. Its possible you may prefer the SS amp.

A couple of other posters recommend the Aesthetix preamp. I do too.

The amp feeds your speakers. If it's tasty but not enough, your speakers will be hungry:-)

Dear Bobandcathi: IMHO real music is everithing you want but warm. If this kind of colorations/distortions is what you like its fine but that is not a real music home reproduction.

Music is accurate and tubes are not.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Bobandcathi: IMHO real music is everithing you want but warm. If this kind of colorations/distortions is what you like its fine but that is not a real music home reproduction.

Music is accurate and tubes are not.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

I like that warm tube sound. I have tried a number of Amps over the past 40 years and I personally find tubes more pleasing. Don't get me wrong I do like the snap and speed of SS which is why I am running a SS amp on the bass speaker and Tubes on the mids and highs. I'm also running a tube preamp. Everyone has their own liking this is just mine.