2. amps-preamps
  3. 1031724377

Tubes Do It -- Transistors Don't.

I never thought transistor amps could hold a candle to tube amps. They just never seem to get the "wholeness of the sound of an instrument" quite right. SS doesn't allow an instrument (brass, especially) to "bloom" out in the air, forming a real body of an instrument. Rather, it sounds like a facsimile; a somewhat truncated, stripped version of the real thing. Kind of like taking 3D down to 2-1/2D.

I also hear differences in the actual space the instruments are playing in. With tubes, the space appears continuous, with each instrument occupying a believable part in that space. With SS, the space seems segmented, darker, and less continuous, with instruments somewhat disconnected from each other, almost as if they were panned in with a mixer. I won't claim this to be an accurate description, but I find it hard to describe these phenomena.

There is also the issue of interest -- SS doesn't excite me or maintain my interest. It sounds boring. Something is missing.

Yet, a tube friend of mine recently heard a Pass X-350 amp and thought it sounded great, and better in many ways than his Mac MC-2000 on his Nautilus 800 Signatures. I was shocked to hear this from him. I wasn't present for this comparison, and the Pass is now back at the dealer.

Tubes vs. SS is an endless debate, as has been seen in these forums. I haven't had any of the top solid state choices in my system, so I can't say how they fare compared to tubes. The best SS amp I had was a McCormack DNA-1 Rev. A, but it still didn't sound like my tube amps, VT-100 Mk II & Cary V-12.

Have any of you have tried SS amps that provided these qualities I describe in tubes? Or, did you also find that you couldn't get these qualities from a SS amp?
kevziek
asa
662 posts
 
Well, I don't know about a spanking - remember, I did invite you both to contact me off this forum, which you chose not to do - so, I'll just leave you to your Apogees. Which, again, I consider nice speakers and am glad that you have found your nirvana, or close to it. As the old philosospher's adage goes, you can't teach the color purple to a blind man. I think the "what is" has it rigged that way. Actually, now that I think of it you and Bolin do have many qualities of perception in common - he loves the ARC VT100 6550-based amp and Nordost SPM too, components that if you haven't listened too, you should because you might like them. I'm going to have to take the good writer part back though; "hands on ivory" is just too much for me this morning. You write well when you are not so juiced up. I re-extend my invitation to a reasoned, mature conversation where their isn't an audience.

Apart from that, be well.
6chac
235 posts
 
I use no magic to extend my life;
Now, before me, the dead "WORDS" become alive.

Keep the fire burnning, everyone... :-)

I have already done my reading on how to fly and airplane, everyone think that I can fly a Boeing 747, now? ;-)
asa
662 posts
 
Oh, Kevsiak, if you do buy some equipment, I think we would all be interested in your reactions.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
I'm sorry, Asa, I didn't notice your invitation for a private dialogue. I think I might enjoy it, but I'm afraid I will have to decline at this time... Pressing responsibilities and all that, my good chap. Lets say we shake mouses, and move on.

I do want to stay in touch, though. I value your honest opinion.
kevziek OP
323 posts
 
An update. My friend who borrowed the X-350 and raved about it, said that it still lacked the naturalness and realness of tubes. He also just installed a dedicated line (10 g.) and is astounded with the improvements. His MC2000 now sounds more dynamic, lowered noise floor, more clarity. He doesn't have the dealer's X-350 now, but is still using a Threshold S-550e, and he says that with the dedicated line, the differences in the amps is more apparent. He is now convinced he doesn't want solid state. I will be going to do some comparing this Sunday, and also bring my VT-100 along. Will post after that...........
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