Tube Preamps that work well with SS amps?


I'm looking for a tube preamp after years of strictly SS. My amps will remain SS. Which tube preamp(s) in your experience mated well with a SS amp? I'm trying to avoid the odd phenomenon where tube preamp + SS amp = slow, soggy sound in spite of benign impedance characteristics

greg7

Other than when there is an impedance mismatch between them, are there any other circumstances under which a tube preamp + SS amp combo will not work well?

@twoleftears  The main issue is probably how well the preamp does in the bass. This is an impedance issue, but its the impedance of the preamp at 20Hz, not 1KHz, where output impedance is usually measured. With most tube preamps the output impedance rises as the frequency goes down; at 20Hz it can easily be several times higher than its 1KHz value.

This is part of why solid state preamps might play deeper bass- they may have a direct-coupled output. You can have a direct-coupled output with tubes too; there are only two preamps I know of, the Atma-Sphere preamps which have a balanced output, and the Messenger which has a single-ended output.

I have been using a Sonic Frontiers Line 2 with both Bryston 4BST and a BAT VK655SE.  No issues either way.  Both sound wonderful, but different.  The BAT lacks the imaging and impact of the Bryston.  Yes i was Very Surprised especially about the dynamics.  The BAT is mellower and maintains it's composure at very high dB's.  I am driving Maggie 3.7i in a large room with high ceilings.   

+1 Schitt Freya+. Nicely designed and built, not crazy expensive, selectable tube or passive mode (tube circuit disabled when not selected) and sounds stunning through a Krell KAV-250A into a pair of Polk SDA SRS gen1. Just my opinion.

I’ve changed amplifiers, solid state as well as tube over the years and what has lasted in my system is the Cary Audio SLP-05 with the Ultimate Upgrade and Cardis Wiring. Hands down, the best I’ve owned and believe me I’ve owned some serious hi end SS & Tube Preamps. Check the reviews. Oh and if you want one of the baddest headphone amplifier from a preamp, look no further. Incredible with my Audeze LCD-4’s. 
 

https://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/906cary/index.html

 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/is-the-cary-slp-05-still-relavant

 

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/cary-audio-slp-05-linestage-preamplifier-cad-211-fe-monoblock-amplifiers-tas-205-1

 

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/177419/tube-preamp-review-mcintosh-c500t-vs-cary-slp-05

 

https://www.hometheatershack.com/threads/cary-audio-slp-05-preamplifier-review.20652/