Tube Preamp with Solid State Amp?

 
jeffjoeblob5 posts
05-10-2020 10:47am
Good sound, in concept. I use an ancient (1963) Macintosh C-20 with solid state amps, with my magneplanars. I've tried other preamps, but none sound as clear an accurate as my old Mac. Whatever you do, get a high quality preamp.

Hey Jeff!   Another member of the C-20 club. Alright!
Got my first C-20 back in 1977, and after I went quadraphonic I bought a second in 1980. Still use both of them: line level - one just before my front channel amp and one just before my rear channel amp. This was long before the term "tube buffer" was ever thought up.
I've had them in for various services over the years, and then sent them both out to a MacIntosh repair facility in Arizona for a general re-cap about 12 years ago.  Don Sachs had them in about seven years ago to refurbish/improve them even more.  My s/n ratio is now almost 10db higher than the original specs.
These are more than a couple of pre-amps. They've become good ol' friends.

I've been running tube preamps and SS amps since my start in this hobby. I currently have a ARC Ref 2 Mark II preamp with a pair of maxed out Odyssey Audio Kismet Monoblocks. I l love the combination and the SQ is great,

I've been using the tubed Pre and SS amp configuration for a few years now.  To me it gives a natural balance to the music, not too tubey (is that even a word) and not as sharp for SS.

Running LTA pre with various Pass/FW amps, similar to @keithc.  Highly recommended

LTA adds some spaciousness and rhythm, overall very subtle tube touch. 

Every now and then I like a tube power amp, but over the long term I gravitate towards what ss power amps have to offer. Not to mention they're getting so damn good these days.  We're living in the golden age of digital and ss.

 

The short answer to your question is YES...depending on the pre-amp.  I had a parasound a23+ and p6 pre and picked up a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp and put it in my system and it was an eye opening experience.  Never knew my music could sound so good.  I then replaced my amp with a pass labs amp and again it was revelatory.  The catch is the preamp alone cost significantly more than the parasound amp and preamp together...so you do get what you pay for.