Tube Pre and SS Power? Or the reverse?

Tube preamp and SS amp.

However, in my investigation into flea watt SET tube amp Sonics and some tube rolling, I’ll try to find a neutral preamp which will likely be SS.  

I had a tube preamp with a moderate powered solid state stereo amp and went to tube stereo amp …. Resulting in loss of detail and sound stage.  I went back to a higher powered solid state—mono bloc Odyssey Kismet in less expensive cases—and the result was simply superb in terms of sound stage, resolution, and even tonal qualities.  I am now considering a preamp upgrade, and whichever I choose, it will have tubes.

I owned MC275 - it’s ok, but not amazing IMO.  All McIntosh gear uses too much global feedback.  If I was to choose from the above I’d go for the MC462.

I’ve tried loads of pre and amp combinations.

Most solid state amps use too much global feedback and have too complex circuits to let a tube pre really show what it’s all about.

I’d say go integrated hybrid tube amp - look at Pathos.  Way way better than MC275.

I use Tube Pre and Solid state power amp. Power tubes get much hotter and are much more expensive. 

The salon are jbl cost nobject speaker read the review. Jbl did double blind speaker tests with that. I have it and drive them with tube pre and 1.25 mcintosh. The 462 will work perfectly as it has 1kw transients. It not the wattage but clipping and compression that hurts speakers.enjoy the hunt and the music.