is getting a tube pre a valid option with ss amp?

I had a tube pre w/ a Pass Labs amp. The soundstage improved, the vocals became more intimate, and everything sounded more real and human..like you are there. A tube pre is a good move.

Larryi,
Intersting thoughts. I have only used one tube preamp, the AES/Cary DJH, and it worked wonderfully with the Pass Labs Aleph 30 and Linn Klout poweramps. These amps where natural and accurate in there own right and adding tubes improved on their good qualities with not draw backs.

The Cary 308CD's variable output directly into the Pass was more intimate and immediate, but less human and 3D sounding than with a tube pre. The Cary cdp/AES pre/Pass amp system is still one off my favorite systems. Although my current tube AES Superamp 2 is quite remarkable.

I didn't have the Cary cdp at the time of the Linn amp or the DJH pre at the time I had a Classe and AES power amps, so these are my limited experiences.

I think the reason I liked the AES(Cary's budget line)AE-3 DJH preamp so much is that it uses 6SN7 tubes. It sounds "oh-so-good". I like them better than the 12AX7 tubes of my Jolida integrated. That is why I bought the AES Superamp MkII power amp over the AES Sicpac...because the new Superamp uses 6SN7 driver and input tubes (w/EL34 power tubes).
I'm looking for a preamp with 6SN7 tubes instead of the 12AX7/12AT7 tubes many manufactures use. The combo of 6SN7 and EL34 tubes is magical. Could be why Cary uses this combination.

Larryi,

I could try other brands of tubes for sure, but I'm resonably happy for now.

I found Cary's Chinese 6SN7's were better than Electro Harmanix in the DJH preamp in my system.
I found the Svetlana EL34 excellent in the Jolida 302 w/ RCA front end tubes.

I how have Cary's AES Superamp MkII with a full complimant of EL tubes. I don't care for EL tubes with music, but they really shine for movies. Someware down the road I will install Sveltana EL34s and another brand (maybe Cary's own brand) of 6SN7s.