Your going to get a ton of replies all over the map so I’ll keep this simple & based purely on my own experience..
Stick to an ALL tube rig,IMO you lose around 20% of the tube magic going hybrid..
I prefer integrated amps,they are fully optimized to act as a single unit,eliminating the subconscious doubts of the synergy between choosen components & IMO the elimination of an extra I/C & power cable are big positives..
Note most integrated tube amps are MM Phono only so if you need MC pay close attention to that function of whatever you choose..
I would also recommend that you pay attention to how many tubes are used in the design,with the minimal approach of Single Ended(2 power tubes)Class A being,IMO,the Pinnacle of all tube sweetness!
If you go Push Pull,don’t discount a smaller EL84 design like Luxman SQ-N150,which offers MM & MC Phono input,superb headphone circuit & plenty of power for the Cornwalls..With an EL-84 amp your wallet will also thank you when it comes time for a retube,which these days can get VERY expensive,VERY fast!!!
Good luck...
PS:I’m a big fan of Cayin & there is an awesome deal on a CS-55A(which also has a decent built in USB-DAC) listed on that other site USAudiomart(NOT mine)..
Moving to Tube Separates or Tube Integrated + Phono
BACKGROUND:
Hi, I have a modest SS system. Vintage Pioneer SX850 Receiver, Fluance RT82, TEAC A2300 SD, Vienna Acoustics Bach Speakers and a B&W Powered Subwoofer.
I am cobbling together a second system for a garage attic that is turning into a listening room, and I would like this system to be tube driven. I have been gifted a pair of Klipsch Cornwall I's, and have a Denon DP51 TT, and may move the sub out there as well.
I have been shopping the used market for the past 6 months and have gotten close to buying a few times, but I realize I really don't know what I'm doing! I lean towards an Integrated Tube or Hybrid Amp, ideally with a phono stage. Products that catch my eye and within my budget include used integrated's from Rouge Audio, Prima Luna, Vincent, Cayin, Audio Research and perhaps a vintage tube integrated like a Fisher.
QUESTION:
If the integrated amp does not have a phono stage and I need to buy a separate phono pre, how much of the tube goodness from the integrated comes through when playing vinyl? Or is the sound of the vinyl strictly determined by the phono pre? Or both? And should I buy a tube phono pre? The extended version of this question would be, when buying separates, how much of the tone is shaped by amp vs. preamp vs. phono preamp?
And yes I did search through the archives, but I'm still confused!
Thanks much!