2. amps-preamps
  3. 138979-115924

Questions about my system.

I have an Audio Research LS-16 tubed pre-amp which runs into a Madrigal Proceed HPA2 amp.

With the help of the folks here at Audiogon I've got it all set up a tweaked and sounding good.

However, having inherited this system rather than having researched it and chosen it myself....and being new to hi-fi...I have some basic questions about these components, particularly the Proceed.

First, am I correct in saying that the HPA2 is a solid state amp? I've seen pictures inside them and saw no tubes. Huge blue capacitor looking things but no glass tubes.

Second, across the front of the amp it says "dual monaural amplifier". My guess is that this means it is essentially two mono-block amps in one package. Is that right?

Finally, why would one choose to pair a tube pre-amp with a solid state amp? Is that typical? What are the drawbacks?

Thanks,

George
n80
inna
7,327 posts
 
Audiophiles don't always speak the same language and some speak no language at all. "Warmth" can be understood in one language as a coloration and in another as an accurate representation of natural analog sound. At their best tubes are more harmonically correct. Ever heard good recording recorded with good tube equipment ? It has an 'inner glow' and palpability and adequate, more or less, representation of acoustic space. Theoretically speaking, no-one needs transistor equipment.
But if you wish to experience tube sound in all its glory you need both tube preamp and tube power amp and of course tube phono stage.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,923 posts
 
Tubes have to me always meant freedom from grain, dryness (lack of liquid transparency), and thinning of the harmonic complexity of instruments and voices. Also superior depth reproduction, the physical palpability of instruments and vocal cords, and a slightly forward presentation (put another way, with solid state, images appear slightly recessed), which I very much like (even if it's a tube-created distortion, which I doubt).
inna
7,327 posts
 
I have a few records of musicians and singers whom I heard live in an informal setting without microphones and amplification so it's easy to compare. Those recordings were made using tube reel to reel decks. Even with my all transistor equipment you can hear some of that tube sound. Then why do I have all transistor equipment when I advocate tubes so strongly ? Cost. I would not settle for anything but true high end. NOS tubes, especially for power amp can be difficult to find and very expensive. Besides, I would need something like Kharma speakers.

mechans
3,048 posts
 
Certain brands of tube amps don't sound like typical Tube equipment and sound more SS like.  If you want Tube sound use a tube output amplifier.


There is nothing wrong, per se, from your set up except you thought you had a tube power amp. The configuration you currently have tube pre and SS powerbis cpmmon and well liked by many.
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
mechans, I was pretty sure my amp was SS. 

From what I've read in reviews etc, it sounds like the original owner knew what he was doing or was well advised regarding that matching of components and cables with this system. I guess I'm doubly fortunate in that regard.

Am I right in assuming that "dual monaural" just means two mono-blocks in one box?
More to discover