I agree with the posters here who say audition a tube system. I use a tubed preamp in my main system. My other vintage systems are mostly tubes which I enjoy. It’s a big jump to all tubes so take it carefully. Consider that tubes wear out and they are expensive, there is heat involved, there can be biasing problems, and the occasional melt down ( ie. Red platting, which I had on one of my vintage amps). Music can have less bass impact as ss systems. You my not care or notice but that’s why you should audition. Aside from all of this, they sound wonderful, but consider in my opinion I don’t think I’d want my main system to be an all tube system. That’s why I use a tubed pre. Hope this helps.
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
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Another kudo to Quicksilver. I’ve been using all QS gear for the past 20 years. The stuff is built to last and I have never had a burp from any piece that I own. If you check the site you will see that most of the amps are now discontinued. Mike is still making the Mid Mono. If 40 watts is sufficient I can’t see you going wrong with those! http://quicksilveraudio.com/amplifiers/
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Suggest you also try an ARC pre-amp if you can. They have been "known" for building quality pre-amps since the early 1970's. I recently bought a used SP-6A for about $800.00 It is miraculous, and I was using LUX tube pre-amps before that, which were not really "bad." Just a suggestion. I am sure you will be pleased with whatever you finally buy. Be sure to try it IN YOUR ROOM before you buy if you can. Cheers! |
Cannot say enough good things about Quicksilver. I own Mono120s using KT120s and drive them with either his Line Preamp (6922 version) or my AI M3B, and this is an end game set up for me, period. The power, dynamics, and naturalness of instrumental timbres (woodwinds, cello, French horn, lute, piano, etc) are just "right" sounding. |
It's my opinion that small signal music seems better handled through tubes though there may be some tube noise in very small signals like LO moving coil cartridges amplification. It seems to be more of a toss up as the signal strength increases through amps. Then it's how good the designer is and how their equipment is voiced. My preference is for a particular type of solid state amp design. But my preamp is all tube and phono stage is hybrid. |
I bought one of these a few years ago and it’s been a pleasure to use. Not a rebuild, but a brand new replica using the Latino VTA driver board. Built by Chris Keller, a very fine gent, in NC. On the other popular resale platform… There is also this: FOR SALE: New build: Dynaco Pass 3 (M) preamp (reduced price) These will get you into tube sound without the inflated pricing, but with the quality of sound. |
About maintenance, it depends. I have a 25 year old Audio Research VT100 that still has its original tubes, and they’re doing great. Did have to replace the fan, however, at 24 years. I agree that putting a tube preamp in your existing system would be a good way to start. Hard to know what did what if you change too many things at once. (Voice of experience here!) Good luck and have fun! |
I concurr SS has more slam. And it is a better fit to the kind of music I have always loved best. Started with hardrock, prog, then even some metal prog and now diving fully into electronic music, specially french. Not dance music, home listening electronic music, sounds so impressive it makes it hard to go back in times. And I am 68 but always been on the fringe in rock music. I barely ever listen to my couple hundred classical records anymore. However, the major draw back in tubes for me, it is yet one more way to tinker with the sound. And I already have so many ways to do that, cables, speaker placement, isolation, diffusers, absorbers, etc... it is fun to play with all that but it can become too time consuming taking you away from the main goal, listening to music. Plus tubes degrade in sound overtime so it even confuses things more. Keeping it simple is a luxury in audio and I try to lean that way. But my house of stereo system was in no way shape or form an easy undertaking. Just reaping the fruits of it now and tubes set me back in that respect. To each his own. |
We either drink the same water or hang out at the same live un-amplified music venues.😊. This has been my observation for many years listening to acoustic double bass and cello. All acoustic instruments in actuality when heard in a natural environment. Charles |
The OP could end up doing the same thing, who knows? Each and everyone of us will have our own specific experiences. For me it was pretty simple, tubes were more natural sounding and authentic to my ears. For some listeners they won’t be. I applaud the OP for giving tubes a try. We’ll see what happens. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Charles |
The biggest, and I think consistent difference between good quality solid state and tube amplification is in slam. To me, after decades with high current solid state amplification, appreciated slam… which tends to be much greater in solid state. The midrange tends to be a tad leaner and the bass transients really fast… this gives the characteristic slap of fast bass. But, I have never heard this in live performance… amplified or acoustical. High quality tubed amplification tends to have a more fully fleshed out midrange and upper bass and the bass is finely nuanced… but the transient rise is slower… which is actually what I hear in live venues. I get why one would like either… but the moment I heard the later (tubed)… the former was out the door for me. Did I loose something? Yes… but for me, what I gained was many times greater than what I lost. |
With less in the signal path, sometimes simple sounds better too 👍
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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 |
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. |
I have a pair of reference 3a L integrale they are a 2 way floor standard I think they are 91db . I was going to use the tube mono blocks or st 70 clone with them I also have a pair of Salk Sound SSM6 stand mounts but they are 86 db sensitivity so I probably will let those go my room size is 18 wide x 20 long with 7 foot ceiling thanks for all the responses. I think I may try a Will Vincent design. I talked with him he sounds like an old school guy with much passion and knowledge and his build quality looks great |
I made the transition in steps… with a tubed preamp about 20 years ago, then shortly after a tubed phono stage… finally to a tube amp a few years ago. I hung back because of the supposed problems with tubes in amps. After some 4,000 hours with tube amps… the “problems” are grossly exaggerated. If I could go back, I would have made the transition much quicker. All my gear is tubed now. I would not consider going back. |
@ecpninja I've read some folks claim to have used your 8ohm speakers with some lower powered tube amps, however as mentioned by @dekay the room size and what volume levels / dynamic preferences you like to listen for can help narrow it down some. Both builders are fine. If do go all-tube and with a separate tube preamp, you can rotate your trusty ss amp back in once in a while. Listening preferences and volume levels matter too, to help pick a nice fitting tube setup for your particular speakers. Also ask yourself if you plan to keep your speakers long-term. Tube amps can get some folks looking at new speakers all over again too once they hear it, heads up. |
My SS to tube transition started 30 years ago. Once I got a taste for that incredible transparency I’ve never gone back. Tube rolling adds another whole element to the equation. Both Quicksilver and Will Vincent are known for good sounding tube gear. I’d add the VTA gear from Tubes4Hifi to the list....really excellent stuff that’s fairly affordable. Enjoy your journey! |
