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tube pre amp plus solid state power amps?

HI there,
My systems have always been tube system all the way through phon stage + pre amp+ power amps, but recently I got a little tire of maintenance of these amps and thought about changing power amps to solid state. I listen classical music. I always love tube amp particular from my LP collection. I am worrying about using solid state power amp will loose the texture of the sound that I like. However, I have done a little reading, some one said high end power amps will keep that sound, especially something like McCormack DNA-500 and Claytons amps. There are some writing confuse me, such as: “it is not important to use tube phon stage, solid state will be better.” I even read the statement says: pre amp is the least important of the whole audio chain.”

Well, what I am thinking about is keep tube system for both my phon stage and pre amp, use solid state for power amps replace tube system. Does anyone can tell me this will be a good change, or I need either whole system on tubes or on solid state?

Thanks
suikang
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Lots of good advice above.

My 2 cents:
1) If you have always used a tube amp, you will not be completely satisfied with a solid state amp, no matter the brand.

2) If you decide to switch to a solid state amp, pay attention to the impedance issue already mentioned.

3) I agree that the Moscode hybrid is a good compromise. Also, though I haven't heard one, a few ex-tube amp lovers are happy with their TRL solid state amps.

4) Clayton has very limited distribution and dealer support. The amps may sound exceptionally good, but you have to do your due diligence regarding the viability of customer support down the road.

5) As one who has auditioned McCormack amps (DNA-2, DNA-500) with tube preamps, I cannot recommend the pairing. The input impedance of the McCormack amps is too low, IMO.

Have fun.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Suikang, I think your "worry" is well grounded, I simply could never find an SS amp that would be my full-time amp, and I tried. I own Merlins VSMs that work extremely well with tube amps, and I suspect with some speakers, the high current, high power SS amps may be preferable to tubes - some speakers seem to shine with SS amplification - they need it. But, if you are hooked on what tubes do, I just don't think you will get that from any SS amp, as Tvad says, from any brand of SS.
rhljazz
1,117 posts
 
It's not the same sound with a solid state amp. I have had the combination before. I'm used to a complete tube system and doubt that I ever could be satisfied with a solid state amp again. Some of my friends have solid state systems that sound excellent but they don't sound like tubes either. The maintenance is cheap and easy for me, one quad set of KT88's per year in the VAC and we're happy.
trebejo
102 posts
 
Yes, the hybrid tube/ss amp is definitely worth considering in this situation. Along with the brands already mentioned, there is Jolida, Vincent, and van Alstine.

I'm using the van Alstine Ultra 550 and it works very well for me. I think I'm sold on the hybrid tube/ss concept; tubes in the input stage, where they do their best, and SS in the output stage, where it does its best.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
Tvad, some of the smaller McCormack amps actually have a pretty high input impedance.
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