I would start with a tubed pre-amp or a self-biasing integrated amp. You will be able to roll tubes to experiment with little technical skill. Also Wolf Garcia's suggestion of Jolida which is easy to bias.
Where do the tubes go?
I have so far been a solid state guy, but I am looking into another system, and I would like to give tubes a try.
1. Would most people recommend an all tube system, or do you recommend starting with only a tube component or two.
2. What are the relative merits and disadvantages of placing tubes at various stations in a system CD-->pre amp --> amp ?
For instance, I have read that some people feel that that the micro-distortion (pleasing though it may be) is excessively magnified if started at a source component then magnified through a bunch of high power solid state electronics. Others have advocated that having tubes early in your system gives the tube sound quality and allows for higher power, lower maintenance/heat solid state amplifiers.
For the tube experienced, how where should I start integrating tubes? (starting a new system so disregard concerns of mating to existing equipment).
1. Would most people recommend an all tube system, or do you recommend starting with only a tube component or two.
2. What are the relative merits and disadvantages of placing tubes at various stations in a system CD-->pre amp --> amp ?
For instance, I have read that some people feel that that the micro-distortion (pleasing though it may be) is excessively magnified if started at a source component then magnified through a bunch of high power solid state electronics. Others have advocated that having tubes early in your system gives the tube sound quality and allows for higher power, lower maintenance/heat solid state amplifiers.
For the tube experienced, how where should I start integrating tubes? (starting a new system so disregard concerns of mating to existing equipment).