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from solid state to tube

Hi all, it's probably a strange question but are there audiophiles who have been tube aficionados for quite a while but are now being converted to solid state? The other way around is a more common phenomenon: audiophiles who have been listening to solid state and are being converted to tubes in a late (final?) stage of their audio evolution. Some say that single ended amplification + high sensitivity speakers are the key to musical nirvana. To them the Soul of Music is then freed at last from the electro-mechanic hardware.
dazzdax
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I'm doing the high powered SET with "medium" efficient speakers and like it a lot. But I'm still keeping my solid state amp around.
glenfihi
525 posts
 
For many more years than I care to count I have wanted a tube based audio system. Finally made the move and picked up an integrated tube amp and some new speakers as well. I've yet to set everything up. But can hardly wait, for there is real magic in tubes.
mor2bz
41 posts
 
i just compared my little dared vp16 to two ss amps; a hopped up hafler and and beefed up odyssey. the little guy made more music in ea. case

ss is nice in the bass. too bad the music lies elsewhere.

i did have a lot more trouble distinquishing the ss from the tube equip this yr. at the rmaf. last yr. i could walk in a room and immediately tell the difference.

are tubes more hassle. yes. are they worth it? i am sure you get more bang for your buck with the tubes.
phd
1,314 posts
 
There was an article in Stereophile magazine not too far back and the reviewer in question was astonished at the resurgence of interest in tube gear, stating that the solid state gear of today is far superior. My personal opinion is that if your satisfied with soft music only, all tube may be the way to go. Could find satisfaction using a combination of both. I don't want to be locked into a system that only sounds good with audiophile music. Whatever choices you make, "Keep listening to them tunes!"
glide3
402 posts
 
I've always moved both tube and SS into and out of my systems and IMHO the differences are becomming a lot less obvious. I think SS is very, very good these days.
Examples (which I am listening to now) are the ASR Emitter, the new TRL st225 and the DNM PA3S...three very different designs that all seem to get the beats right.

The designer of the Tonian Lab TLM-1's that I recently sold voiced these 97db 16 ohm speakers with SS amps and they (Tonian's) sound truly marvelous with the right SS amps (as well as with tubes)

System matching and synergy and dealing with the room are, IMO, much more important issues these days to sound quality than if it is Tube or SS.
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