Quote Originally Posted by harley .guy07 View Post
From what I have read through literature from Vincent and other companies that sell hybrid preamps is that their belief is that by making a hybrid preamp they can get the midrange benefits and warmth of tube gear but also get the detail and bass slam from the solid state components and have a high end that is not rolled off like some tube gear is. To some degree I see where they are coming from but in practice I am not sure how well it works because I have not had the chance to hear any hybrid gear but Frenchmon seems to like his Vincent over his Rotel so its doing something right.
Hi Harley...

My dealer said the SA-T1 was not hybrid....the SA-T1 manual says its all tube and E-Stat confirmed that its all tube and not hybrid. But yes...this thing is a few steps above the Rotel preamp which in its self is a very good SS preamp.. Its the Rotel RC 1090. If you have a chance to get one used grab it if you need one.

The only reason why the Rotel preamp is still in my system now is because I run the 7.1 in through its phono stage and out into the SA-T1. The Rotels phono stage is very good.

And yes...by the SA-T1 being tube and the Rotel amp RB 1080 being SS, I have the warmth of tube with nice detail and bass slam with no noticeable roll off. I can tell you from experience and memory....SS is a cleaner sound but after listening to tubes you dont even notice it or miss it....at least that's my recollection.

But I can also tell you....Peabodys All valve Conrad Johnson amp/preamp has great detail and bass slam as well. Its really warmer than I would like...and that could because of the stock tubes that Peabody refuses to roll, but never the less....that thing has detail and slam....so one does not have to get hybrids or have a hybrid system as mine in order to get detail and bass slam from tubes. But I'm sure you know what I'm talking about...you've heard Peabodys system. Hey one day Sunday before winter hits....maybe you can come up to Peabodys and I can bring over the SA-T1 and plug it into Peabodys system or we maybe able to come down your way? I will get with Peabodys and see what he wants to do...Let us know if you want to come up or if it will be better to come your way. I think Springfield is about 1 1/2 hours drive?