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: β€œit 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

Showing 1 response by trebejo

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.