2. amps-preamps
  3. 159743-139155

For anyone who moved from tubes to solid state — a question

I'm the happy owner of a fairly new tube preamp and monoblock amps. I love it and have bought new tubes. To have another option for warmer weather or possibly a second listening room, I got a very good solid state integrated. I've run the tube preamp with the solid state amp and it sounds quite nice. I love all tubes, too.

But this question is for you. Please forget the convenience factor for a moment, including the issue of tube replacement etc. Also, forget about those cases where you bought new speakers and needed more power, etc.

Assuming you had quality tube gear with sufficient power — here's the question if you abandoned tubes for SONIC reasons:

What what is that tubes couldn't give you?
What did your solid state gear do for you which was so much better that you divorced to marry anew?

I'm curious about what people list as the positive sonic reasons they love solid state (including A, AB, D, etc.).

Thanks.
128x128hilde45
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@krelldreams Thanks for sharing. You say you went "back to tubes" but the main amp you mention is a hybrid, no?
lissnr
365 posts
 
I think 77jovian basically hit the nail on the head... it’s the ‘labor & time involved’ with tube amps that are the most dissuading factors to tube amp listening. My TRL monos are best described as big, heavy, hot, multi-tube high powered monsters ... they need time, love, and attention and are the best sounding amps I’ve ever heard drive most anything. Listening to them is “an event”.
When I want to catch a “quick hour” or so it’s “Not Applicable”.... hence the need to rotate monthly (or thereabouts) with my flick-of-a-switch SS amp.. a pair of Krell FPB 350 MC monos. They give me 90% of the tubes plus the SS virtues as well and the transition takes me 20 minutes a month or so to do. I wouldn’t want it any other way. ( Speakers are rebuilt Apogee Duettas...). 
invalid
1,190 posts
 
Lissnr do you have the big 400 monos or the bigger 800 monos? How is the bass with those compared to the krell monos?
lissnr
365 posts
 
Hello invalid, My experiences with Tube Research Labs (TRL) date back quite a few years starting with the “Dude” preamp and a pair of GT200 monos which I still use today. I have also owned the Stereo 100 . I have fellow TRL owners that have been friends / listening buddies for as many years and they each own the GT 400’s.   Originally equipped with KT88’s all the TRL’s are flexible with output tubes as they were essentially “overbuilt” by design (and literally their construction as well) such that the KT150 or KT120 are the current ‘go to’ tubes for each of us. The 150’s ( my choice) add about a 50% increase in output power over the ‘88’s and the KT120’s not quite that but still noticeably above the 88’s.    I am also an “Apogee guy” and the vast majority of my own system has revolved around either [rebuilt] Divas or Duettas. My friends have run their 400’s into plenty over the years as well including a variety of Sound Labs including A1’s, A3’s, Ultimate 1’s and 2’s, Focal Grand Utopia BE’s, Nova  “” “”” as well as Martin Logan CLX’s and more. 
  As for the 800’s... that’s a whole other story. I’ve never heard them but my friends have. Incredible. 
invalid
1,190 posts
 
There is a guy on another forum that biamps with the 400's and the 800's into a pair of apogee full range.
More to discover