Your tube preamp and ss amp thread


Last night I was listening to my tube preamp and my tube mono blocks, noticed an imbalance in the sound, and as usual I traced it to a tube problem in the mono blocks. Luckily, I also own a ss stereo amp as a 'backup'. IME, ss amps tend to be a lot more reliable than tube amps. Nonetheless, I would be interested in how many other folk run a tube preamp and ss amp combo, and if so, what are your choices.
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I have a tube preamp and SS amp (McIntosh C2600 & MC302).  I was a tube novice (and ignorant) and appreciate the features and sound.

I've gained a bit more exposure to tube systems and for me it comes down to the results.  I've been impressed with Audio Research, VTL and Rouge as well as McIntosh and other SS manufacturers like Moon, Naim.

Enjoy the music and the process.
VAC preamp with Pass Labs / Bryston biamped in my main system.

ModWright LS36.5 and Proceed in my bedroom system
I moved from Primaluna hp integrated to Rogue RP7 and Bel Canto Ref600M monos class D.  Been a tube guy for years but wanted more headroom less heat and less weight.  Not missing the tubes so far but only been a few months.  Maybe not quite as involving in the mid range but more layers and sound stage is great.   
Pre-amp
Schiit Freya v1

SS Power Amps
Merrill Audio Taranis (Class D)
First Watt F7 (Class A)

I hear clear differences between these two power amps but am inclined to agree with earlier comments by @mapman on reasons for the differences.

Most of the time they are used as follows....
Freya>Taranis>Totem Forests
Freya>F7>Silverline Prelude Pluses

Switching the speakers is possible and sounds great. The lower power F7 drives the Forests surprisingly well BUT there’s no denying the immediacy brought by the high power Taranis (which also sounds excellent driving the Silverlines).
Luxman CL38U SE tube preamp. I have a choice. The Bryston 2.5 sst2. Or a pair of modified Class A Threshold T-50 mono blocks. Each amp has 20 IGBT transistors. Modified by Michael Bladelius.