Solid state to tube

About maintenance, it depends. I have a 25 year old Audio Research VT100 that still has its original tubes, and they’re doing great. Did have to replace the fan, however, at 24 years.

I agree that putting a tube preamp in your existing system would be a good way to start. Hard to know what did what if you change too many things at once. (Voice of experience here!)

Good luck and have fun!

SS slam. LOL give me refined articulate sound, depth of field, soundstage and detailed midrange.

If I want slam I will go hang out in a club in Deep Ellum. 

Me too, I listen with Audio research VT100 almost everyday and the sound is just different from REF 75SE. TUBE 150 get the different  sound and I prefer the old sound from old machine.

@ecpninja 

What kind of budget are you thinking about? A hybrid integrated with a tube in the front end or a tube preamp and a solid state amp is a good place to start.

Will vincent has a pair of 80 watt tube monoblocks $3500 thats,about my top end limit.