Tubes or Solid State?


I'm looking to replace my solid state Musical Fidelity M2si integrated amplifier that I've been using as a preamp with a dedicated preamp. I have been considering tube line stages from Maple Tree, and, Van Alstine and the LSA Hyperdrive Preamp/Headphone amp. I am also looking at the SPL Elector MK2 which is solid state and a bit more money.
The tubes are supposed to be warmer and the SPL is supposed to be absolutely dead quiet. 
Thanks
 

 

dierksb

@ richopp  A friend of mine has an ARC Preamp. I don't remember what particular model it is. He uses it to feed a Bryston 400WPC power amp. Together the set up makes his speakers disappear.
Thanks for the advice, I'll keep looking.

Never say never.....

I could not imagine giving up streaming now....

I have always enjoyed music, but not like I do now.  I can really go on mind trips, find new music instantly, build playlists, listen to songs I would never listen to otherwise.  One song leads to another.  The beauty is in the not getting up or down and having to take breaks to clean records. I got in the zone the other night the system disappeared and I was immersed. I have heard of this condition and I believe it was the first time for me ever!  Since then I have gotten there two more times!  I have just replaced my dedicated streamer and my new DAC is ordered.  It was a heavy period of upgrading during/after the Pandemic.

+1 on the Schitt Freya recommendation.  I owned one and am of the opinion they are hard to beat into the low thousands. Very reliable. Dead quiet. Good resale.  Lots of input and output options. Quality parts inside. 

@jbhiller thanks for the advice. I've seen used Freya+ for sale here and elsewhere.
I read the Stereophile review of it and am aware of its Class A Classification by Stereophile. I almost bought one. Then I read this.