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Tubes vs Solid State

I have have been listening to music all my life but have only recently started experimenting with different amplifier and/or speakers/component combinations. I have recently moved from Parasound JC 1's to Classe Cam 400 monoblocks which I have both loved (maybe the prior a bit more) and are contemplating another move. I have been very intrigued by tube monoblocks and have the opportunity now to move to ARC ref 600's. I can also get Mark Levinson 33's for about the same cost. I am just uncertain about the Ref 600's as I am worried that I might be disappointed in the tube sound.

Can someone with more experience perhaps help me out here ? I am using the amps as part of a home-theatre setup driving 802 d's and other 800 diamond fronts and rears. I would really appreciate some good advice here.
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mapman's avatar
mapman
22,308 posts
 
Some tube amp makers not only show their tubes (gasp!), but have figured out how to make them glow in different colors!!! Like Jolida FX10, which is one sweet looking little amp, like a mini, affordable VAC Phi Beta, which is the Brooklyn Decker of tube integrateds IMHO. I am not likely to be able to afford either my favorite VAC integrated nor Brooklyn Decker in the near future though. I suppose the fake colored blue Jolida glow is a bit shameful though. Kinda like makeup for tubes.
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
This has me recalling one of my all time favorite posts on Audiogon. Member Viridian responds to the question of why itÂ’s so important to some to have their tubes on display rather than protected inside:

Viridian:
"The phallic splendor. The blue stray electrons breaking free of their appointed paths. The red hot filaments beconing with their oh so subtle light, in a darkened room. The myriad reflections of light on glass and chrome. Who the hell knows? I paid for the damn things; I want to see them."
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
Have you ever been looking at your SS amp and thought, "I wonder what it would sound like if I tried different transistors in there", and then you ran out to buy a set of new transistors, you stick 'em in there, and listen. NO YOU HAVE NOT. Unless you're very handy with your gear...get it? I'm not so sure about the LED lit tubes...there is an ethicial issue with those (I have a little tube headphone amp with a silly red LED) although I'm not sure what that is...but I know it's there. I also set my Squeezebox on VU at night...it gives some life to the proceedings without any harm...kind of like my tube amp.
csontos
1,311 posts
 
Wolf, I have actually done that. The covers on the amps I happen to be using at a given time always have the screws removed. It takes about a month to settle down a particular amp and get it's bias and it's offset optimized. After that it needs to be checked regularly. Contrary to popular belief, ss amps are by no means maintenance free. Once you've got it 'actually' running optimally, this whole thing about IM, TIM, brightness, etc. becomes moot. The key is channel balance within the amp. You either have it or you don't. When you do, that so-called brightness becomes attenuated, the amp becomes very linear sounding, and you have an actual dimensional sound stage. But I'm a vintage guy. Can't speak about class D or switch-mode amps.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Wolf. I had a neighbor once who was an EE professor, he told me you can't build a meter fast enough to show what an amps really doing.
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