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

Another vote for the McIntosh MA 352 Hybrid; plus if you decide it’s not for you, you should be able to sell/trade without losing much compared to some other options.

I think what you are driving is the biggest determining factor for whether tube/SS output stage is right for you-- if your speakers are not the most efficient, I think most people would agree that you'll likely be better off with SS with plenty of headroom. If you're driving speakers with at least 92dB or greater sensitivity, then I think you could go either way on the output stage, depending on your preferences. There's really no substitute for an in person demo, ideally on your own or very similar equipment. In the end, there's always going to be the critically important subjective component--- what sounds good to YOU. 

 

For anyone looking to get into tube amplification I would suggest that they start with a tube preamp. Look for one that has a low output impedance so can be matched with either SS or tube amp. Choice of amplifier is highly driven by the speaker in use. I use a tube preamp with either a tube or a SS amplifier. Enjoy both. 

@spaceguitarist : It’s not a good practice to try to speak for others who have different tastes, opinions, and situations than your own. I ultimately trust my ears, not marketing or the opinions of others. Do I take the opinions of others into consideration? Yes, I do. But the final determinant is my own listening. I favor vinyl played through tube equipment because it sounds best to me. I also stream music, and it sounds great, but, to ME, not as great as vinyl (in my system). You are welcome to share your experiences, but telling others their preferences are “wrong”, because you say so is arrogant and presumptuous. Think about what you wrote from the perspective of a reader who has a different viewpoint. It’s offensive. 

I have been a all tube guy for the last 40+ years but I decided to try a SS integrated. I bought a Boulder 866 and could not be happier.   Very musical and incredibly quiet.  SS can be very satisfying. 

McIntosh C2700 into a pair of MC275s. Best system to my ears I've ever heard. No regrets about tubes.