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Mid-fi tube vs high-end SS

Hello everyone. I am new here but not new to audio. I’ve been meaning to buy a high-end permanent SS amp for 2 years now. But not sure how much improvement I can get.

 

A little about what I have. I use a high-quality tube amp I bought for around $1,500. 55 watts per channel Class A. With upgraded tubes it’s a little over $2,000. The amp I have is the Musical Paradise mp-501 I’ll link below. Using upgraded Kt-170 tubes along with some nos 5693 red tubes and 717-a tubes.

 

My audio knowledge and listen ability has improved substantially these past few years thanks partly to this tube amp. Sorry for the long-winded intro. My actual question is, how much improvement should I expect going from this tube amp to something high-end SS like the Gato 150 and the incredible DVA M225? Very little reviews on the Gatos, I’m hoping I could get some help here, even anything about the Gato 150 from users would be helpful. Ty

 

https://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=55

128x128samureyex
headphonedreams
529 posts
 

If I was looking for an amp in that price I would look at Schiit Tyr and try to find a nice pre amp. The Gato is probably great too, a bit uncommon and I have not heard it. I have heard another Schiit amp.

Or the Moonriver Audio. 

samureyex's avatar
samureyex OP
228 posts
 

@headphonedreams  Yea the Tyrs are in my top 3. DVA M225 + Tyrs + Gato 150

 

@lloydc  The good ol' plug and unplug. Physically. I'm a big believer of less is more. Regarding Kt170s, I honestly don't know if the transformers are big enough but the amp is massive and weighs 70lbs. The 4 transformers in my limited knowledge, is quite big. But anyway I talked to the designer and he said it's good, he even recommends the KT170s. 

jaytor's avatar
jaytor
766 posts
 

@lloydc - I agree with your comment regarding toroidal transformers. They may be a bit more challenging to use in a tube amp due to their extended bandwidth (passes more AC mains noise) and sensitivity to DC (careful output stage balancing is required), but with the correct circuitry around them, they offer some nice advantages. 

wolf_garcia
6,738 posts
 

Note that "high end" denotes quality and not necessarily a steep price. My Schiit Freya (original version) preamp has more flexibility relative to tube use (or not) and ins and outs than pretty much anything out there and consistently gets a "Class A" rating from a certain audio mag. Around a grand or so still, and it's also amazingly transparent. You can't even SEE these things...Too inexpensive for some to take seriously and that's their loss.

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

Total BS look at the Qualiton A50i. Also, Toroidal transformer and is fantastic sounding piece of kit. BTW most of the components are built in house. @audioman58 read up a little.

 

A pure class A tube amp would be under 20 watts in a Tube amp ,

50 watts pentode or ultralinear , and$2k is just a starting point fora tube amplifiers

One ofthe key elements is the transformers ,and chokes ,brand name like Lundahl

that Ayon uses excellent C core type for example is far better then , any Chinese amp like primaluna , they use torroid type which no Highend company uses.

and inside the resistors,capacitors everything counts , I have had several Ayon models theirSpirit 5 is ideal triode,or pentode ,even the tube sockets solid copper

not cheap $3 brass type far better conductivity ,and machined aluminum cases, night and day better, less vibration than sheet metal, ad microprocessor controlled per tube bias, not All power tubes averaged out like most. Tubes wear better and optimum bias, better sound and they are using the very good kt150tubes.

when a tube goes bad it does not blow a transformer it goes into standby ,shows you the tube , just replace the tube ,hit there bias button and up and running .

yes abit more monies but very high quality from Austria.

 

 

 

 

 

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