[kirch]

You guys have probably talked this one up in the past, but I don't recall seeing anything and I'm not really sure where to look within the site.

While I really enjoy the power of my Musical Fidelity A5 integrated, I'm so stuck on the tube sound in my office, I'm interested in seeing if anyone has had good results (and I stress "good), with a solid state amp and a tube preamp.  And if so, is there such a thing anyone can recommend that won't kill me financially, 'cause I've been blowing a ton of $$ recently on this stuff.  According to the documentation, I can do this with the MF A5.

Look forward to your insights!  Thanks boys.

Kirch

[robert1325]

http://www.ornec.com/product/US/Classic_9.0_Tube_Pre-amplifier/
http://www.ornec.com/product/US/Image_7A_Tube_pre-amp/
http://www.ornec.com/product/US/Meixing_MingDa_MC-7R_Tube_Pre-amplifier  ( Response audio sells it to, might be better for warranty and service)
 
Or get one of the nice yarland integrateds     ( similar to sophia )
Shipping costs will be rather high, to see them you can make an account .

I think you would be better off going all -tubes ,    and switch between SS and tube whenever you feel like it....

I'm using a trends ta-10 t-amp lately , the sound is between a tube amp and a solid state amp ....  Very very impressive for the 130 bucks I paid including shipping.   You can do plenty of mods on it to (See michael mardis site)
   Check out the 6moons review:  http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends/ta10.html


Got it from Hong Kong at buyoyo

[electricbear]

I use a tube pre with solid state power ( well actually digital )amplification. I think this is the best way to go. It gives you the speed and control from the solid state amplification and the tube pre gives the musicality. I have tried all combinations tube pre-power, solid state pre-power and solid state pre with tube power. By far tube pre with solid state power is the way to go. I think MerRevs set up is the same. Invite him over some evening and ask him to bring his pre with him, you'll be impressed.

[WEEZ]

I use a tubed preamp and solid state power amp...and I think it's the best compromise.

[Berndt]

I am using the mapletree ultra 4 with a luxman integrated amp and it brings the texture of tubes to my system.
If you don't need a phono section the 2ase linestage is under 600$.

[Bill Baker]

 Hello B,


 I tried responding to your email but it kept coming back so I will paste my message to you here:

Yes of course I remember you. I saw the post on AC but didn't even read it. If I had realized it was you, I would have responded sooner.
 
 Anyway, using a tube pre with a solid state amplifier is an excellent route to take. It offers some of that tube seduction and magic midrange quality from the tubes while still maintaining dynamic authority from the solid state amplifier. Best of both worlds if you will. If I were to have any solid state in my system at all, this would be the combination I would choose.
 
 Nice to hear from you and I am glad you are still enjoying the system.

[bpape]

You're welcome to come over and listen to that type of combination at my place as soon as I get my Odysseys.  I have the Korato tubed pre and will be running the Extreme Mono+ amps.

I'm also getting in Rick's SSR's for eval and a general listen.  Plan on an outing at my place in the next few weeks.

Bryan

[kirch]

That sounds great Bryan, and everyone - good to know I have lotsa options!  Thanks ~