Solid state to tube


I have been a solid state guy since my start in this hobby. Over the years I have built a few systems and have used mainly older YBA seperates pre and power for my front end.

I also have a pair of musetex MT101 mono blocks from Meitner audio which I use as well.

My speakers are reference 3a lintegre

I am thinking of moving to a all tube system 

. However I have little experience

I have looked at Quick Silver and a small boutique builder called Will Vincent. Have not heard anything yet. I thought I might inquire here first for any suggestions from tube savvy members

ecpninja

My tube experience is mostly with vintage components - Marantz, Fisher, HH Scott, Mac. While I own substantially more SS pieces, I can’t get over how time and again my favorite combinations are tubes with horns. It’s true. Whether tube receiver or separates, the sound is amazing. How can a 60+ year old tube amp sound better than modern top of the line gear? I don’t know the answer, but it often does to my ears. I have a SET on order to see if they live up to the hype. 

@ghdprentice 

All my gear is tubed now. I would not consider going back

Good comments and I can relate with your amplifier transition/progression. I went from a Symphonic Line solid state amplifier to a couple of push-pull tube amplifiers. The el34 amp was utterly reliable. The KT 88/6550 was also, (with the occasional KT 88 failure). 6550 were even less prone to a failure.

Most reliable with zero problems has been my 300b SET of 13 > years. Probably due to the very simple circuit and high built quality. Only 3 tubes per mono block (Rectifier/driver/output). Literally maintenance free with beautiful sound. Tube amplifiers are durable and can be quite trouble free.

Charles

@charles1dad "Probably due to the very simple circuit and high built quality"

 

With less in the signal path, sometimes simple sounds better too 👍