Based more on equipment reviews than personal experience, I believe there are better tube options that sounds great at a midfi level (2k-5k) versus SS where you have to get to a Hifi level (5k-10k) before you see the better products. Personally I am 100% tube. I’ve spent years replacing SS equipment. Another consideration is your OCD level. Sounds like you’ve got a good selection of input tubes around. Would you be satisfied with a SS piece that can’t be tweaked? Cable and isolation tweaking is common to both options.
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millercarbon- Robert Harley' book is a great pragmatic guide on how to set up a high end audio system. I also highly recommend a book from Floyd E. Toole called "Sound Reproduction: The acoustics and psychoacoustics of loudspeakers and rooms." I have not glanced at the new "audiophile's guide" from Paul McGowan (PS Audio) because I have been told it is for the layperson... |
Ive owned; tube systems, SS systems, and mixed (all true balanced). As of late, the lines have been blurred with the availability of the LSA Voyager 350 GaN amp @ $3000!!! It is smooth as a tube amp, but unlike most, it has a lightening quick leading edge to the notes (an issue I had with all the tube amps Ive owned. The lone exception being OTLs, but they are $$$$$, oh, and its' powerful, too. No tubes to deal with, leave it on 24/7 as its idle current is small. What's not to LOVE? Check out the threads here on AGon to see the many converts hth |
If you can build tube amps then it seems that is the direction to go. Make your own. Maybe look at https://www.diyaudio.com/ and google "DIY audio" to find sites with kits, or parts and circuits. Lots out there. Since you can build your own,, I bet you'll find it more satisfying and engaging. Being hands on, listening and tweaking as you go, you will get to know and hear all the shades of difference between tube types and circuit designs just as you have with guitar amps. |
- 57 posts total