2. amps-preamps
  3. 160034-139155

Adding a SS amp as a 2nd amp for my tube rig has been a plus

I'm really glad to have purchased a solid state amp, used, to go with my tube gear. Just the perfect solution to when I grab a moment or two to listen — that hour between work and dinner, for example. There's not enough time to warm up the the tube amps, but I turn on the tube preamp, turn on the solid state amp, and I'm in business.

I spent about 5:1 for the tube stuff (including the better tubes) relative to the SS amp, but I think spending that small extra portion on a slightly better tube rig wouldn't have gotten me as much.

Sonically, the tube stuff is superior — BUT I get a slightly different angle with the ss gear. For example, some rock sounds better with the solid state. Also nice to have a solid state when I swap different speakers in to try out.

Convenience-wise, I get more listening in to have that ss as a second amp. Most of the time, I just listen to tube, but when I can't make listening an "event", I still find myself listening.

Yes -- some additional costs (extra interconnect, extra speaker cables) but I am not the sort who breaks the bank on those items, so pretty negligible added cost.

For what it's worth. Anyone else done this?
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jchiappinelli's avatar
jchiappinelli
117 posts
 
How do you handle the cable switching between the amps?

The best way is to use a Beresford Switch. I use it to switch source amps between my main amps (Cary Audio Six Pac mono blocks) and my SS amp (Classe Fifteen) which I use when I'm not doing any serious listening and just want background music on or for parties. The Beresford switch is NOT a speaker switch, i.e., it's not for switching between different sets of speakers. It is a source switch made specifically to safely switch between two sets of amps. No need to fuss with switching cables once its in the system.

J.Chip

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
I considered this amp switch, at some point: https://sites.google.com/view/pine-tree-audio/devices/transparent-selector
buellrider97
388 posts
 
Hi , may I ask what SS amp you’re running? I run a modest tube pre and low power tube power amp . I’ve had huge improvements with pre tubes , and again with the amp driver tube . But the rectifier and power tubes have had a profound change too . I’m pining for a Pass or First Watt in my existing system . I have a nice stash of paired NOS power tubes , but I’ve stayed with new KT-120’s as it allows we to omit a sub. This is another reason I’d like to add a SS power amp . Regards , Mike .
tubehead120's avatar
tubehead120
35 posts
 
I run a Golden Tube SE-40 and a Pass Labs XA30.5... with Heresey IIIs on the first and LS50s for the second and dual REL 7Tis.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
Not sure if you're addressing me, Mike. It's an Atoll integrated, 120 wpc
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