Tube vs Solid State


Folks,

For past few months, I have been trying to achieve best possible sound in my rig. The focus now is clearly on a improving 2 channel sound in what started as a home theater room.  

In past couple of years, I have added N10, Modwright DAC and very recently a LS36.5 linestage . The amps are Modwright KWA150SE. I am running pair of KWA150SE's in bridge mode (450Wx1) for the mighty B&W 800D2's.  While I like the sound as is, still feel something is missing. 

I have been toying with the idea of bi-amping.  One thought is to add mono tube amps to run mid's and high's and let the KWA150SE's handle the LF's. I am pursuing that seductive, slightly warm mid-range and top end that usually comes from tube amplification.  

I don't think there is any tube amp out there by itself capable of powering up bass hungry 800's. I prefer not to use a subwoofer in 2 channel setup. I listen to mostly jazz and classical music and quite sure that 800's are capable of producing adequate bass with proper amplification. 

Any feedback would be appreciated. 

Cheers! 
128x128lalitk
Hi laltik.  If you enjoy the sound that top-shelf modern tube gear can provide (an ideal and real combination of ambience and transient speed), are leaning toward monos (good for you!), want an amp that can drive any load and in the process deliver the fullest of real base then you and I have much in common.  Without getting into the significant details of my hunt, I'll just go right to the results of my kill.  For me it was the perfect choice and based on the constant feedback of my fellow audio hunters in our local hi-fi tribe - I did kill it! 

I landed the Octave MRE 220's with the Super Black Boxes.  For and well above their price point they are unmatched.  Effortlessly driving any load; providing a soundstage you can drive around in and get lost; leaving nothing wanting in the bass from start to finish; giving every instrument its own space, sustain and decay with unmatched realism.  Over and above all of that the reproduction of the human voice is exactly that.

From one passionate hunter/gatherer to another, in this vast forest of countless audio animals, my kill was well worth the effort.  My feast is always plentiful and is enjoyed by everyone who drops by.  All the best in your hunt.  Good luck!!!

Ray
@rspyder, thank for your recommendation. Man, the very notion of HP700 and MRE220 pairing sounds pretty heavenly.  

May I please know what speakers and preamp you're using with MRE220?

Cheers!


Lalitk,

I have a pair of Audio Research Reference 610T's for sale that will meet all your needs and then some.  The following review sums it up very well.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audio-research-610t-monoblock-power-amplifier/


Larry
Larry,

Thank you for your offer. I end up auditioning the MAC's, more than likely I am going to end up keeping them. 
see if you can get impedance vs. freq. curves from the manf. of your speakers (or the drivers) before spending a lot of $$ and time trying the biamp route

also ask them about bi-amping