2. amps-preamps
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Tube Amp or Tube Pre Amp

For those of you who have experience with tubes, what would be your preference.

Tube Amp with tube preamp, Tube Amp with solid state preamp, or Solid state Amp with tube preamp

My system currently is Mcintosh MC352 Amp Solid State, Mcintosh C49 Pre Amp SS, Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers. 

I want to try tubes so with my current set up should I go tube amp or tube preamp?

Thanks

referee1
jc4659
553 posts
 

+1 @larryi 

 

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,428 posts
 

I like using my tube preamp with my solid state amp.The sound is alot better..The power of solid state amp makes the tube preamp sing  out.But that's just me,perhaps. 

wbs
77 posts
 

If cost of ownership is of any concern, it is worthwhile noting that preamp tubes last a very long time while amplifier power tubes have definite lifetimes.

I say this having recently replaced 8 kt88s in my amp.

I will also say that I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bill

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,405 posts
 

I have always gone with a tube preamp and solid state amp. I currently use a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp and a McIntosh MC 302 solid state amp. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,825 posts
 

Almost 40 years ago (is it that long?), I switched to all tubes. But along the way, I took the tube preamp with solid state power amp route. This is what I’d recommend initially. 

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