What is Better? SS Amp+Tube CD OR Tube Amp+SS CD

A lot may depend on your speakers... High-efficiency speakers which present a stable high impedance load will allow decent tube amplification bang for buck (a search of the archives will find a world of suggestions). Lower efficiency speakers which present a more variable impedance load will almost surely get more bang for buck out of SS amplification.

In systems where neither budget nor speaker sensitivity are an issue, I have generally preferred tube amp with SS CD player combinations.

With less efficient speakers, I think you might try either hybrid amplification or mosfet amplification matched with a tube preamp. Depending on how you match things, you might be able to use a SS CD player.

Bonger, Chazzbo started with the premise that the speakers were sensitive enough for tube amplification and gave a variety of recommendations. I neglected to read your other posts before writing my response to note that you have Totems. None of the Totems are very sensitive. I agree with Larryi on both points (SS vs tube amps, and on the value of tube output CDPs).

Based on your speakers (I assume still Totem Arros), and reading between the lines in terms of sound preference, things I have heard with similar spec-ed speakers (which is a precarious perch from which to recommend something), and making the assumption you might be willing to purchase used, I think there is good bang for buck, and pretty good quality overall, from the Counterpoint hybrid amps (you might try an SA-20). Good tube preamps are available for not much money, and for kicks, you could even try a Bottlehead Foreplay pre-amp (check audioasylum.com for a link).

If really dying to try high-powered tubes, I think the VTL IT-85 (integrated) and ST-85 (amp only) are great, and give the same kind of quality as their higher-powered amps at a more affordable price (used), and they tend to go quite low in terms of minimum impedance.

Full disclosure: I own VTL MB-450s, love them dearly, and have always wanted a pair of Counterpoint Natural Progression Monos for a second system. I have thought doing so but have not built a Foreplay preamp. I have no connection of any kind with any advertiser on Audiogon.