Tube Pre and SS Power? Or the reverse?

The mac tube preamps are quite good and have a ton of features (DAC2 bal, RCA nputs etc). MC275 is a mediocre tube amp IMO, I owned one and sold it after trying one of their SS amps. I ran a c2700 and MC275 for a while then switched to the MC301 mono blocks. The MC301’s were a big step up from the MC275 which I felt lacked in many areas that make tube amps great. Sounded more like a SS amp with crappy bass then a tube amp.

If it was me, I would get a used C2700 tube preamp and a SS amp to match. Or a hybrid integrated. I’m personally not a fan of the Prima luna stuff after a few friends owned them, ok for the price but the BAT gear will be better imo.

@mojo771 

I live in Winston-Salem.  I’d be happy to give you an introduction to Chris Livengood at Ember Audio in downtown Winston.  Very nice guy and Ember is an amazing shop.  Chris deals Wilson, Dynaudio, AMG, Rega, Dr. Feickert, Octave, Accuphase, Naim, Simaudio, Hegel, and Fezz Audio just to name a few.  He is having a very good sale right now on Demo and Trade In gear.  Might be worth the short drive.  The traffic can be a nightmare, I know, but I can make it to concerts and sporting events in less than 90 minutes in most cases and I live in rural western Forsyth County.

Feel free to reach out.

https://www.emberaudiodesign.com/brands

I have had fantastic results with a Backert tube preamp and a Pass Labs 30.8. It seems to be a great combination of tube like warmth and serious bass control.

I chose tube pre and SS power. Dual-mono class-A designs. It’s the traditional way. but as always, use what sounds best to you. Sure beats the hell out of the Devilaet 400.

I think the only reason I don’t have tube amps are the maintenance and reliability issues. Once burned, twice shy.

Curious re if you use subs, do tubes still run out of steam?

Most listeners would opt for the SS amp/tube preamp option if the object is to get some "tube sound" into your system. My personal system is configured this way. I would love to go all tube but heat is a consideration where I live. In an all Mac system you should not have to concern yourself with matching components. You could go all SS, all tube, or SS amp/ tube preamp. SS pre/ tube amp would be my last choice. It will certainly work but what are the benefits?