2. amps-preamps
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Our we Lazy?

I want to start this thread by clearly stating that the purpose of this question was not to fight or rehash the battle of tube vs. solidstate as one being ultimately superior or better than the other one.I hope that besides personnal taste and the different "flavors" listeners enjoy, along with system matching, there is agreement that in the last ten to fifteen years that reference tube and solidstate amps sound very much alike and more like real music. The days of euphonic warm or detailed but harsh-bright sonic signatures are gone when it comes to world class amps.When my audiofile friends and I discuss power amps we always come back to these questions;1}With the finest solidstate amps[Pass Labs,Rowland,Ayre,Edge,etc.]sounding so terrific, why put up with the hassle of re-tubing,getting the right tubes NOS etc.,and the expense of re-tubing on a on going basis?I guess one man's "tube rolling" for pleasure is another man's pain in the butt.2}The sound of a tube amp changes over time as the tubes age, why put up with this hassle when it can be avoided? We like the fact that a solidstate amp will preform at its optimial level everytime we listen to our systems. Please you all, these questions are sincere and not an attack on tube amps or their owners.As stated already the goal was not to fight over something that is obvious ,world class amps are world class amps regardless if there tube or solidstate! We have listened to wonderful sounding tube amps[VTL,LAMM,ARC,CJ,etc.]and thought they were great, however they offered no special virtues that would lead us to put up with what we regard as "hassles" compared with solidstate amps. We would love to hear from our fellow GON members regarding this topic and what has been your experience regarding this topic.Let's not fight but have FUN sharing our opinions and viewpionts on this topic. Remember we might just be "Lazy" audiofiles who rationalize our own position on this matter!
teajay
newbee
4,767 posts
 
"Lazy audiophiles who rationalize our own position.....".

Perhaps. But, I don't think its that simple. You talk of tubes vs SS based on sound quality as one camp. I think there is another camp which has greater influence on the choice of tubes or SS. That is, there that there are those who like the ability to tinker with the tone of their systems. Using tube equipment the options are nearly infinite - most tube components have different designs and a different basis sonic signature. Most tubes also have a different sonic signature.

The possibilities for each component are considerable and when you have multiple tubed components the opportunity to change or adjust the tonal balance of your system seems infinite. What some see as a PITA other see as an opportunity. Integrating a new source into a tube system can be much easier, just for this reason. It isn't necessary in an all tube system to play with cables and IC's as tone controls as I see so many folks doing in the forums. I can do it with tubes easier and much, much, cheaper.

That said, I would love to hear some of the current SS and Tube components to see if they sound as identical as you suggest. I might not like any of them - what would that say about me. Tin ear, tin ear! :-)
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bigkidz
3,381 posts
 
I still have not heard a SS amp do what a tube amp can do in my system. I am not saying that the SS or tube amp was better then the other, just different. Yes there are a few of each that may come close to each other, but overall when I am listening to a stand up bass, snare drum, piano and vocals, I do prefer a tube amp but rock & roll is another story, etc. So the solution is to have system options i guess or you like with compromises. That's my $3.5 cents.

Happy Listening.
rives
953 posts
 
I like both. My reference system is based on solid state, Levinson Ref 20.0 bi-amped with Krell KMA 160 on the bottom. You can see the reference system here.

My office system consists of VAC auricle monoblocks a passive pre-amp, and Talon Hawks. I haven't posted this system yet, but probably should. I have a minor balanced wiring issue that prevents me from doing this easily at the moment.

I have not yet experimented with the VACs on the ML panels--could be fun though.

Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. The Talon Hawks, while they can go pretty low (30 Hz flat), they are small drivers and just don't move that much air. They aren't the easiest load, but far easier than an ML panel. The VACs work extremely well with these speakers. I think that's part of the issue--system synergy. The reference system is very dynamic (modified bass section). Moves plenty of air and has a huge soundstage. The solid state controls both top and bottom extremely well with a difficult load particularly on the panels.

That being said, I think system synergy (already said), coupled with what you listen to and how you listen will often determine what equipment works best for you. If you want rock music really loud, well most planar speakers are just not going to do it--a horn would be more appropriate and with a high efficiency horn you can drive easily with a moderate tube amp. Now if small jazz ensembles are your thing at moderate volumes, then you would likely steer toward different equipment.

I'm curious how many people out there that own multiple systems have at least one tube based and one solid state like myself.
amandarae
512 posts
 
SS and PWM amp for me also. Just a personal preference that's all. I currently own ICE H2O S-250 and Threshold Stasis S500. But I also have a 300B amp and a modded Dynaco St70.
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