Tube stage placement in a mongrel (hybrid) amp

[szechuan]

Hello all you tubers, I've got a problem, and I'm hoping that it doesn't spark too much debate. Next year I'll be designing a hybrid amp, with a minimal number of tubes. The problem I have is how I would use them to get the most out of their tone. This will be an instrument amplifier, so at times the tubes will be have to be overdriven to meet the user's demands. I was thinking that they might do their thing as a step up between the preamp and power amp stages, but knowing me I'm completely wrong. Also, I'd be eternally grateful if a possible schematic could be included, as I know far too little about those glorious glowing things to design my own stage or identify a good schematic from the sea of searches.

[VictoriaGuy]

Originally Posted by szechuan

Hello all you tubers, I've got a problem,............................... Next year I'll be designing a hybrid amp........................................ I know far too little about those glorious glowing things to design my own stage.........................

???
Yes, a problem......
Solution (old school, I know) = study

[szechuan]

I have done quite a bit of studying, but I'm hoping to receive specific advice from more experienced people. My studying has led me to beleive that I could maximize the tube's influence on the sound as a voltage amplifier between the preamp and power amp. But I don't fully understand how to control the threshold at which the tube will start clipping, and the coupling requirements. I don't intend to copy any provided schematics, but use them for reference/comparison. So if I sounded like a lazy bum or an imbecile, I apologize.