Tube Pre and SS Power? Or the reverse?

I posted a week or so ago about trading in my McIntosh MA352 integrated amp for separates.

Now my question is, which goes tube and which should be SS?

I have received almost 50/50 responses, even from dealers.

I have a big room, that has been acoustically treated, Revel Studio 2 speakers, and I'm running 2 SVS subs.

Some say I should go with a C49 SS pre and a MC275 Power amp = about $18k, less my trade-in.

Others say C2800 pre and a MC462 Power amp = $22k.

Quite a big difference.

mojo77102-12-2026 4:24pm

rocray Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,542 posts 02-12-2026 at 04:32pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Will your dealer let you try both combinations,and let you decide for yourself?
hilde45 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,005 posts 02-12-2026 at 04:49pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I'd like to see the frequency curve for these. With a big room and these specs: Ohms (nominal) 3.7 ohms (minimum @ 90 Hz) Sensitivity 87.7 dB SPL with 2.83 V @ 1m (4 pi anechoic) I'd probably opt for SS amp and tube preamp.
jl35 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,452 posts 02-12-2026 at 05:03pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I've always gone with tube pre and ss amp, simply because I don't want to deal with tubes for high powered amp...sonically just gotta listen...