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?

fixto

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.

Sick of screwing with tubes.  I just want to push a button on a remote and hear music.

I still have tube guitar amps, and have for nearly 30 years, but that's it.  Down to a couple 5-watt babies from the 60s and 70s.  No more 100-watt heads and 4x12 cabinets...

Hunting vintage tubes, maintaining my own tube tester, maintaining a stock of tubes, it's not worth it to me any longer.

My tube gear was Cary and it sounded fine.  Bass is "better" with big SS power.

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If you have the budget : go for a Technics R1000. Best amp on the market at any price