is getting a tube pre a valid option with ss amp?

as always...good responses...i actually listened to a tube pre today for the 1st time..local hi fi shop just openned in town...dealer had the all ss sytem running for 20 mins or so..then subbed in a tube integrated...took me all of 0.5 secs to notice the difference in sound..i really liked it..definately a more intimate sound..though now i have read other posts about a tube pre damaging a ss amp???..man..this audiophile stuff just cant be simple!!

You need to be careful to ensure that the output impedance of the preamp is at least ten times less than the input impedance of the amp. The problem is that virtually all tube preamps except those that use output transformers have high-ish output impedances in the bass, which can cause bass roll off (i.e., weak bass) with many solid-state amps.

The other problem is that tube preamps except those that use output coupling transformers have difficulty driving long (> 2 meters) interconnects, the result again being rolled off bass.

These problems are present far less often when a tube preamp is paired with a tube amp, as tube amps tend to have much higher input impedances: many have an input impedance of 100,000 Ohms. In contrast, solid-state studio amps often have an input impedance as low as 600 ohms, and audiophile solid-state amps often come in around 20,000 Ohms. As for preamps, top-shelf solid-state preamps can have output impedances as low as 50 Ohms across the frequency spectrum (darTZeel, classic Rowland), while even top-shelf tube preamps can have output impedances as high as 4,500 Ohms in the bass (BAT VK-51SE).

The rub is that few solid-state preamps have the musicality and layer space like a tube preamp, so, unless you really know what you're doing, it's easy to make a mistake whether you go with a solid-state or tube preamp. Rowland's Synergy IIi solid-state preamp is very good and can be had for less than $3k used. VAC's Renaissance preamps use output transformers and the "cheap" one can be had used for $3k-$4k. I strongly prefer top-shelf solid-state preamps, as no tube pre I am aware of can compete when it comes to noise floor, which is crucial at the preamplification stage.

I've had tube pre's 3 times with SS amps and have never been disappointed. Agree totally with Raquel about matching correctly.. Also, It might be good to make yourself familiar with costs associated with changing tubes. Many of the NOS tubes can be expensive to buy..(this may not be an issue for you but it's good to know.)

Yes. I've run a tube pre with three different solid state amps and have never had any problems. Don't worry about ultra expensive tubes, there are plenty of good tubes that will do the job. Google tubemonger to see plenty of choices.

The only real problem with running a tube pre with ss amp is that, sooner or later, the seductiveness of the tube sound is going to cause you to start wondering what a tube amp would sound like. (And the answer is, pretty swell!) Subject to the impedence matching issues, I'd go for it.