IMHO, the tube preamp with the SS power amp worked very well in my system. I needed the current of the SS amp to drive my B&W speakers. I own both the BAT VK-30SE tube preamp and the Pass Labs X-1 SS preamp into a Pass X-250 SS power amp. Each preamp does it own thing (and amp also), the BAT has a darker sound as reviewers have described and the Pass has a more upfront sound but slightly less warm than the BAT. Both matched up well (I also did my research on the matching before buying the stuff and did extensive in home auditions).
I am not a very big fan of the lower priced MF power amps, nice sounding but not enough details for me. The per was nice in its price range but it did not wow me either. If you like the MF stuff buy the Nu-Vista integrated combo. Not my cup of tea.
I am not a very big fan of the lower priced MF power amps, nice sounding but not enough details for me. The per was nice in its price range but it did not wow me either. If you like the MF stuff buy the Nu-Vista integrated combo. Not my cup of tea.