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It's a rare solid state pre-amp that works with a tube amp. Keep the Mini-Mites, lose the LS-9 and get a tube pre-amp. The fact that you like the Chinese tubes is certainly cause for concern. Like I said earlier try some good 5751s, you'll get the speed and transparency you seek. With the LS-9 and tube amp you most likely have impedance issues that will make any evaluation somewhat less then valid.

once again, thanks for the info, my original post was suppose to say I do not want to jerk around a dealer as I intend on buying used. I switched the tubes in my Alpha to Mullard cv4004, I like the sound better but they don't have the speed and transparency of the cheap chinese tubes.

Fletchj, I can only compare my sound to my previous system, my current system is a little flabby in bass which I figured is a fault of my amp, I have a pair of Quicksilver mini monos on the way to try out, I do not have a sub because I'm an apartment dweller and do not always have the space to set it up, not to mention I have trouble getting them to sound right. If these new amps don't do the trick I will probably return to solid state amps as I enjoy their speed, dynamics and transparency, btw the LS-9 is solid state, thanks for help, mike

I agree with Dekay, the Alpha is very sensitive to tube change. Using triple mica, black plate RCA 5751s I get a very dynamic hi-fi sound, which I prefer when watching movies. For music I opt for my Mullard 12AX7 longplates and their magcal midrange.

Do YOU like how your system sounds? If you think the bass is flabby, then you could add a powered sub, and remedy that. If you think it needs to be more transparent, then upgrade the tubes, in both the preamp, and the DAC. You have a system, capable of producing fine sound, with proper setup. So if it sounds fine to YOU, then it is fine.

thanks for the info I will check out the Rogues

Dudes- Golden Tube has a nice little secret. Its their 300B monoblocks. Once (highly) modified, they are 7 watts of bliss. Mated with a good bass amp in a bi-amping situation, tough to beat. However, having said that, I agree, forget about support. You gotta know someone who can fix 'em...

I'm with Plato on this one. I had GT se40's running as monoblocks and upgraded to Rogue m-120's . No comparison. The se40s have a loose flabby bass and the top end lacks detail. The Rogues made the flaws in the se40s very apparent. I've heard a lot of good things about the 88's also. The other thing about Rogue is their excellent customer support. Can't get any support from Golden Tube anymore.

Upgrade the tubes in the DAC if you have not done so already. Do a search on the AA site for specifics for your unit, or perhaps someone will pitch in here.

yeeeaaaahh baby, Oopp, I'm in the wrong spot. I thought this was another thing. System looks great though.

Ditch the GT SE40; there are many better amps out there, like the Rogue Audio 88, for example.