Tube Pre and SS Power? Or the reverse?

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.

I had the McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier which is a hybrid with tubes on the preamplifier and SS on the amp and it was a great component.  McIntosh did this for a reason so I wouldn't question it. 

I’m highly surprised that you’re claiming that 50% of the people suggest a solid state preamp/linestage and a tube power amp.

That generally makes no sense, as the main reason for mixing and matching tubes and ss is to get a tubey sound, which the line stage/preamp has more effect on, and still great bass control by the power amp because of ss power amps higher damping factor and thus better grip on the bass.

You also generally have complexity with tube power amps due to them needing either manual or some kind of automated bias for the driver and output tubes.

The only combination of tube&tube, tube&ss, ss&ss, and ss&tube that doesn't make sense is a ss preamp and a tube power amp.