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Is solid state on the brink of extinction?

I am curious how many out there, like me, that have come to the conclusion the age of solid state, and perhaps tube gear, is closing.

In freeing needed cash from my high end audio recently, I was forced to look for a less expensive alternative. To my surprise, the alternative turned out to be an unexpected bonus.

I have notoriously inefficient speakers. I was sure I would have to sell them once I sold off my large solid state blocks.

Going on a tip from another amp killer speaker owner, I bought an Acoustic Reality eAR 2 MKII Class D amp. This tiny amp caused a revolution in sound benefits over my ss mono blocks.

My speakers gained in speed, depth, control, detail, range, clarity, and dynamics.

It didn't stop there. I also sold my front end, and bought a very cheap programmable digital DVD. It also proved to be better that my old disc player. My playback gained in detail, separation, depth, bass control, bass extension, and treble extension. The mids are just plain natural. Reverberation decay occurs evenly and naturally.

Has anyone else had a similar experience of moving from solid state or tubes to digital? What do you see as the future for solid state component producers? What of tube amps?
muralman1
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
To my thought I realy always wondered why SET that can be built by high school student may cost more than powerfull SS beast that could drive near anything even including professional studio speakers and not realy do-able by hobbyist?
Full range digital amps are even more complicated than conventional solid state amplifiers. It's much less complicated to build digital bass amp than full range.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Marakanetz...Digital amps are not all that complicated, in fact all audio amplifier circuitry is rather simple compared with other types of electronics. In practice, all the complexity of the digital amp is in one module that you buy from TriPath or someone else. Add a power supply and FET output devices and you have an amp. That is the great promise of digital technology..superb performance at GREATLY REDUCED COST.
muralman1 OP
1,527 posts
 
Eldartford, you are right. The simplicity and quality afforded by evolving modules ensures cheap thrills. Where were you, when you listened to the well appointed Scintilla? I know that reviewer Ken Kessler, in England, has a pair opitimally set up.

You are also right about the goose bump factor attainable through many avenues. Last week, I listened to Vandersteen 5 speakers fronted by top vinyl and tube gear, and it was very fine. That was a $70,000 system.

I went home to my digital module driven speakers and listened to even better transparency, and bass definition - for far, far less. (I want that turn table gear, though) :-D
khrys
446 posts
 
Muralman, your boundless enthusiasm for your amps has me wanting ot explore Class D further. What I've heard in stores has not impressed me so I'm trying to set up some home auditions. I can get my hands on a Spectron Musician II but where do I find the eARs? Is it true they are only sold "factory-direct"?
muralman1 OP
1,527 posts
 
True, they are only sold direct. I think it is a poor marketing ploy. This new module wave is in it's infancy. Acoustic Reality had the only ICE powered amp for two years. With proper manufacturing, and a good market strategy, they could have made a killing. Now, more ICE powered amp companies are on the horizon.
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