Hybrid tube/ss phono pre amps. Are they better than just Tube or SS alone?


So I have been reading up about Phono Preamps. There are so many to choose from in the $2500 and under price range new or used.

I’m leaning towards the Hybrid Tube/SS kind because loads of reviews and people are saying you can get the best of both worlds. Is this hype or real?

Allnic H1201 and Manley Chinook (both used) seem to be the favorites at the high end of my price range. Who are the others… hopefuly not too far off in performance but less expensive?

Looking for one that is very flexable and works well with the greatest range of TT’s, carts, and arms. And does a good overall job with the highs, lows, midrange, and soundstage.

The HK990’s phono input does a decent job but imho it seems weak in the midrange. I believe the consensus is that external phono preamps create better sound.

Someone has suggested I save up and get a higher end intergraded with a phono input but I like the flexibility a seperate one will give me when I decide to upgrade from the HK990.

Here is my current system. All of it will eventually be upgraded. I’m going to do one upgrade on all these components and that will be the end of my journey down the rabbit hole of this hobby… at least for a long time.

Harmon Karmon HK990
VPI Scout turntable with a JMW-9 memorial arm and an Ortofon 2m bronze cartridge (mm)
Revels F52’s
SVS PB-NSD subwoofer.

So there you have it…. what do you think?

Thanks

Meambler





meambler

Showing 3 responses by jmcgrogan2

Meambler, I'm curious as to what hybrid tube/ss phono stage you are leaning towards.

I don't know of many hybrid phono stages, maybe Herron with a FET input stage on it's MC inputs.

Or are you talking about tube phono stages that do not use tube regulation in the power supply as a hybrid design (SS power supply/ tube output stage)?
In which case most tube phono stages would fall into this category.
Interesting little article Meambler. It still doesn’t make sense to me, but maybe it’s just me. I have heard of electronics using tubes in a buffer stage, as opposed to the gain stage, but that is normally in CD Players and DACs as far as I know.

I’m not sure that I know of a phono stage that only uses tubes in a buffer stage. Can anyone else help me out here?