Tube in Preamp or Power amp?

For over 2 year I did run a shop were we sold a lot of tube amps. I like it a lot. I have enough clients with very expensive tube amps. It is my personal opinion ( regardless the sensitivity of a loudspeaker) that it is easier to get more control, speed and drive with SS amps. I personally would use it with a tube pre amp. Because you still can get the extra musical sound you want. And yes there are speakers wich are esasy to drive who can play well controlled with tubes alone. But I talk here in general. I am not talking about the situations of the exceptions. The qustion of the topic is Tube in pre amp or Poweramp? I would choose for Tube in Pre amp. That's all!!

Bo,

I really think you need to post a dealer disclaimer at the bottom of your posts. This is an important point of information.

And I agree with Wolf and Charles (both long respected contributors here). Again, the classic vs modern tube sound distinction is useful here. And any overly broad generalization should be taken with a grain of salt.

In addition to this modern vs classic sound, for amps we have a number of designs that each have their own characteristics: SET, push-pull, OTL. And then there are characteristics of certain tube types, and then there are different designs and manufacturers of a given tube type.

We are not taking about exceptions? Are we? I prefer class A far over class B or even class D. I hear the advantages of the Pass Labs amps with class A over the Tube amps in many situations. It is the difference of speed in a guitar or the drive in the lowest freq ( more different layers to be heard). I love the tube sound a lot. But you are Always looking for the best sound without limitations. Which are there to be heard at the speakers. When I use my own music I can often let people hear the limitaions of the use of just tubes in there system. With class A SS amps you have more options and freedom for many different speakers than only using tube for power amps. Solaris4ever askes our opinion about what to choose? So I just give my advise with my knowledge. And I explain why I prefer it. Wenn you prefer tube poweramps, fine with me. I do not agree. But I respect your opinion. So please respect mine as well!! And I think we should ask him which speakers he uses?

Wenn he is using the Amati, I would not recommand for tubes. This speakers I heard many times go wrong. Often with tubes or even SS without power and control.

Well a tube preamp is going to need tubes. CHEAP tubes every say five years.. Maybe ony once every ten years..
Tube rolling is a breeze on a tube preamp. My VAC Standard preamp has been running on 24/7 365 for 3 1/2 years and the used tubes that were in it are STILL perfectly fine.

A tube amp.. Is going to need tubes every two years and those tube will cost a bundle of cash. Tube rolling on a tube amp is going to cost you an arm and a leg.
Tube amps get HOT. (My VAC Standard tube preamp in a sealed case.. the case barely gets warm, with 4 tubes in there)

Then safety. A tube preamp is NEVER going to blow up and start a fire.
A tube amp may decide to blow up and start a fire.
Going to the bathroom and coming back to your amp on fire is a scary thing. You can never leave a tube amp unattended when it is on. (heaven forbid you leave the house while it is on) Then biasing. A tube amp will need to have this done on a regular basis.

naturally these are exaggerated, so all those screaming THEY do not think so can line up at the back door.
But generally these comments are true.

So for ease of use and problems a tube preamp is near 100% equal to the ease of use of a solid state preamp. A tube amp is a whole different ballpark

Note NONE of this has to do with sound. Just mechanics of ownership.
Owning a tube preamp is easy and no problem. I own two.
Owning a tube amp is a PITA IMO.