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

There is nothing like the sound of a GOOD tube preamp. When I replaced my Shiit Freya with a Rogue RP-9 the system was so quiet, and the sound was so ‘sweet’; I could relax into the music, there was no going back. At that time, I had McIntosh MC252 power amps; now the RP-9 is mated to a Rogue ST-100 (Dark) power amplifier (KT120s output tubes), and the sweetness is still there. It is my favorite playback combination driving vintage Warfedale E70s (15” woofer, 1” Mylar tweeter, 5.25” midrange). I have yet to explore the differences between output tubes, like the 300B, EL34, 845, etc. but a good tubed preamp has been my gateway to a smooth sound, holographic sound stage, and generally enjoyable listening. I would start with a really good tubed preamp (don’t skimp) and go from there. 

I second those who have had great experiences with a tube preamp and solid state amps.  I have a Rogue RP-7 tube preamp with Odyssey solid state monobloc power amps that have been significantly upgraded (almost to Kismet) by Odyssey at the time of purchase.  I previously had another solid state amp which I sold to go to a 100 WPC tube power amplifier, with which I was disappointed.  My ears sensed, with the switch to a tube power amp along with the tube preamp, a loss of definition, a diminishing in tonal qualities of the instruments, and less precise imaging.  The switch back to a SS power amp, albeit roughly twice as powerful, brought things back to and beyond what I had originally had with the tube preamp and solid state power amp combo.

I like all tube, but it's probably best to start with a good tube pre ...   C22 mk V would compliment that amp well.  

Tube preamp for sure. As far as the amp goes use whichever (tube or SS) amp you like, as long as the impedance work.