Tube or solid state

Do you prefer a tube preamp into a solid state amp or a solid state amp into a tube amp,which is your choice for best sound?

fixto01-31-2023 10:00am

wolf_garcia Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,631 posts 02-01-2023 at 07:50am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The answer is to use the best of either...a great preamp into any great amp will sound better than a mediocre anything. Tubes are different than SS, we all know that...but synergy is key. I use a tube preamp (Schiit Freya which is either passive SS or tube...always in tube mode unless I switch it to see if the tubes are OK) into either a single ended Dennis Had amp or a Pass XA-25 class A amp...mostly the Pass as I'm lazy, but I put the Had amp in there and enjoy it when I feel like it. Tube amps aren't always better as it depends on the quality of the amp.
wolf_garcia Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,631 posts 02-03-2023 at 07:54am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete My Pass XA-25 has a "tube-like" sound in that it's capable of making me like listening to it. Even when it's off it puts out a vibe, as does the tube Had amp as that thing is beautiful to look at. The Pass amp looks like an industrial slab, but it is easier to dust.