I am TORN between Tube power amp and SS power amp.


I planned on running my Hagerman Clarinet with either my Hafler DH-500 (looking at "Ultimate" Audiophile Upgrade sold on Ebay at $975.00 - complete upgrade from power caps, driver boards to Exicon MOSFETs, which has "rave reviews") or building DIY VTA ST-120 which will cost a bit more. Does anyone had an experience on both of these amps? I know comparing tube and SS is like comparing apples and oranges, but hoping your feedback may help me decide. Cheers!
128x128rodulfo23
I run both a solid state phono stage generally viewed as one of the best ever made, and a tube phono stage (CJ Premier 15).  Both give satisfaction.

Suggest that you seek out a good sounding phono stage and not worry about what the internals are.
   Hi Rodulfo, I have a pair of JBL 4312A’s on Sound Anchor stands . They are currently in the closet as I went to low power tubes . Your speakers need 100 plus wpc tube or 200 wpc SS . I’ve run these along with  my long gone Century 100’s using Dynaco MKIII’s ( 60 wpc ) , ASL 30 wpc ( El 34’s) Sansui 9090db, Bryston 4BSST, Yamaha RX-V, Modwright KWI-200. So with tubes , 30 wpc was too little and 60 was just starting to cut it . The Yamaha was 105 wpc ( but home theater stuff ) so not good. The Modwright had good control , but was dry . The Bryston was great ( so maybe the Hafler would be nice) . I contacted Quicksilver and they recommended their 120 wpc amps . Most people underestimate how much power the JBL’s need . Also too little power leads to clipping damage . I would go with SS for simplicity, but it might be too dry for your taste. This is a good speaker for a tube pre and a SS amp , or a big tube amp. I’m actually considering the Latino 120 wpc Monos . FWIT many people bi-amp the big JBL’s with tubes on top and SS for the woofers ( sometimes class D). But that’s a whole different beast , but due to the large power requirements. Many of us are willing to deal with the hassle of tubes because the result can be stunning with vintage JBL’s . BTW I also have Klipsch Heresys, but prefer the JBL’s . Happy Hunting, Mike. 
  Also , I have a Had Inspire on right now . At 12 WPC , don’t even try to run the JBL’s . That’s why I have Heresys and KG 1.5’s to supplement  my Zu’s . 
My 12 WPC Had Inspire with 99db (allegedly) Heresy IIIs is the real deal. Everyone should own this sort of thing at some point, but Had only makes one every couple of weeks so maybe it's not possible. I run this amp a lot...background music while working, frontground music when seriously actively listening, and as a backup toaster, although the crumbs from the toast are problematic at times.