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Solid Stage vs Tube amp

Hello everyone. First thing I like to say is this is great site and I really enjoy reading discussions about gear, music sound, improvements and upgrades. BTW I’m new in this hobby and like to hear in a competent opinion. I have MC 2255 with C33 preamp and JBL L112 speakers. So far I’m happy with the sound for my Heavy Metal and Hard-rock music but I always wanted to try tube amp because I like to have this experience too. So I bought couple months ago Antique Sound Lab 1001 MK ii DT and I like the sound of this  tube amplifier  very much, it is just different, but when I compare with my SS amplifier seems  like Antique Sound Lab
cut off like 15-20 % of the instruments witch I hear with the SS specialty on the treble.  I understand that SS amp is more bright, transparent and fast amp  for Heavy Metal but is this the way tube amplifier should sound with this type of music or just my ASL is not a very good amplifier? I know it’s not high end gear but that’s my budget. BTY  the tubes are KK 88 Gold Lion with not more then 300 hrs. Thank you in advance to everyone who share his experience! 
itsotor
erik_squires
16,363 posts
 
The interaction between a tube amp and speaker is more complicated. 

As the output impedance of the amp goes up, the frequency response of the amp/speaker system looks more like the impedance curve of the speaker.

Sticking to high impedance speakers with small impedance variations helps.  Sometimes the match is good, sometimes bad, and of course, getting good treble out of a tube amp may be a little harder.
adg101
1,063 posts
 
Maybe stay with the SS amp and look for a Tube preamp instead.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,747 posts
 
This debate has been a subject for years. Some prefer SS and some prefer tubes. It all boils down to what you prefer. Both have their plus and minuses. All tube amps do not sound the same and all solid state amps do not sound the same. Anyone who makes a statement that one is better than the other is ridicules. You might find this article interesting. BTW, I use tube gear!  
 
 
https://medium.com/collectors-weekly/could-an-old-school-tube-amp-make-the-music-you-love-sound-bett...
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
Read that analysis in post 2 a couple times. It’s well done. 
ebm
9,311 posts
 
This is getting old it is up to YOU.
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