Effective recommendations to add warmth & smoothness while keeping bass control


What are the most effective ways to add warmth or smoothness to the system while keeping bass punch and control? You could rank them as well and please provide examples?

1) Hybrid SS with tube buffer

2) Hybrid tube preamp stage with SS output stage

3) Tube preamp + SS amp

4) Tube amp

5) Class A SS amp with zero/low feedback

6) High bias Class A/AB with zero/low feedback

lanx0003

@lanx0003 sounds like a good plan to get the tube pre first. With CJ pick the model that’s within your budget and not very old. $2000 won’t get you the very latest and the greatest. I think @ghdprentice can advise on reliability and recommended age as well as model. 

Call Dan at ModWright and ask about his tube buffer.  It may be just the ticket.