SS Preamp with Tube Amp?

I doubt it matters in general.

If you want to bask in tubelike sound, this can probably accomplish that depending on the details but more tubes in the signal path will probably be merrier.

I'm still a bit befuddled by the whole fascination with tubes, though I do appreciate their allure as I am a sufferer as well to some extent.

I've heard very good tube amplification that sounds a lot like SS, but I have yet to hear very good SS amplification that sounds like tubes.

Also, I do not hear a tube-like sound at most good live performances I attend, so my current conclusion is that good sound does not sound like tubes.

My current mindset is perhaps also that tubes are better off being seen but not heard.

I basically agree with what Nsgarch said.

I run my hybrid Lamm M2.1 amplifiers with my solid state Ayre K-1xe preamp and I love the sound. It is very quiet, and yet exhibits a nice touch of that tube sound.

By the way, this has been discussed many, many times here and on Audio Ayslum, so you might want to do a search of both sites and read the lengthy threads and posts, rather than base your decision on just this thread.

FYI, one thing I have come to the conclusion about though, is that it takes a really good solid state preamp, to equal a really good tube preamp. (i.e. Entry level tube preamps seem to be better than entry level solid state amps. At least that is my opinion.)

Good Luck in your search!

I agree with Nsgarch, tube amp has much more influence on the sound than tube pre amp.

I also started with tube pre and solid state power 20 years ago, only when I changed to a tube amp I discovered "tube pre + SS power" is for the wannabe. Same goes for hybrid amp, they only do half of the trick or less.

From impedance perspective, it should not be an issue for most tube amp to preceeded by SS pre amp, but not the other way around. Best option like many suggest is to use tube pre, it will take your system to a whole new level.

If your tube preamp is dominating the sound of your system then you have a very colored preamp. The classic test of a preamp is to run a signal from a source that does not require a preamp to your amps and listen to it. Then put your preamp in the circuit, if you can tell a big difference then you have a bad preamp. I have a friend who wants his preamp to bring the midrange forward because he likes the sound that way, he knows it is not neutral but doesn't care.

Very helpful comments...thanks very much.

Turns out, I have two tube preamps, a Blue Circle and a Dodd (both 6922's). So I plan to do some A/B tests with the different preamps.

My interest in a SS pre like the JRDG Capri is a full service remote (yes I've gotten lazy), little or no tube noise, and the attributes of a good SS pre (speed, broadband, drive, etc.)

Semi suggests that a tube pre and amp is the ultimate. I hope to investigate this difference in next few months.