Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
More Jfets?.

The BB3 hybrid phono really relies on the JFets in order to operate with MC as valves would be too noisy. So not really sure if your really hearing the Fets or the tubes?

I am actually thinking of going all SS for an alternative Phono stage which I think may happen very soon - I will keep you posted Obviously I will still use a tube preamp although again I think a buffered SS preamp could be on the cards some day. Definitely would not bother with a passive preamp.

I would really like to hear the differences between a SS vs Tube vs SS/tube phono and a SS passive vs SS buffered vs tube preamp and combinations of each of them to ascertain which sounds the best and to know where tubes really shine.

Following on from this I can only say in my opinion having an all tube phono and preamp the tubes in the phono make a huge difference but the tubes in the regulation stage less so. So a tube phono and SS preamp maybe the way to go? I don't know until I try.
Contact Oliver @Bigbottle. He had a buffer SS preamplifier and a SS phonostage and has Valve equipment too. He let me take my equipment over and listen to it and a Bigbottle 3. He was also very helpful when i bought a used Bigbottle 3. He is not far away from Birmingham.