Phono/preamp/amp chain. One of them tube the others SS. Which one?

atmasphere4,897 posts08-17-2016 12:06pmIf using a LOMC cartridge, my preference would be for an all-tube phono and line stage and a solid state amp, if the situation somehow was able to demand that one be solid state and the other tube.

Just trying to understand how low level detail on tube better vs. transistor. I haven't heard 70+db gain for LOMC all tube phonostages that don't have typical hissing noise not substantial via speakers, but quite audible via headphones.

IMO,The tube phono is the most important in the chain whether using mc or mm cartridge. BTW, I use all tube gear !

Personally, I wouldn’t do that.....as a matter of fact, if all your components are from the same manufacturer, you would have an even better chance of success. I don’t mix anything...cables, etc. Any benefit from trying to deal with problems by gettling something with an opposite defiency means you don’t have the benefits of either. Modern components can be found with excellences if they use s/s or tubes.

Stingreen, we are not talking about simplicity or orthodox purist approach where it is either all tube with possible hybrid amp or all solid state preferably from the same manufacturer. With cables, at the high level and above, I would agree, unless someone wants to experiment with thousands of combinations. Not me.

If you like music you need tubes, but if you need to run Windows you need ss.  A good friend of mine once said, "the only place for ss in a stereo is in the power supply"