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Selling off Tubes for Solid State, A Cooler Love Story?

I've always sought out Primaluna gear as my end all be all gear. I started with an integrated, then went to separates and have been very, very happy. What has given me such good sound, is also causing the room temperature to be somewhat annoying. Being in a little shoe box room of 10x15, I've had to result to opening a window, which is becoming tiresome. 

The heat from just the KT88's is causing me to considering going solid state, which will be in preparation for the Summer in my tiny upstairs room. I'd like to possibly get a second amp for the summer months, but am not sure where to start with solid state amps. Do I pick up a BHK? Do I go all in on a used Ypsilon or Dartzeel? What did you look for in a solid state amp and where should I look? I BHK I could test drive at home, but a used Ypsilon I wouldn't able able to try and would just have to pull the trigger. Any advice or guidance is appreciated. 

128x128j-wall
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

as many experienced hands have noted, modern solid state amps at the upper tier use various technologies and techniques to produce a sound that gives the best of both

perhaps the most articulate among the makers is nelson pass, who describes how he and his crew dial in small, desired amounts of even order harmonic distortion into their amps to provide that tubey goodness our ears crave in reproduced music -- all the while producing the tuneful, deep, taut, powerful bass that can only be approximated by the tippy top massive tube amps

well made, powerful class a amps do the same, as does alberto at agd with his brilliant take on ga-n tech - now, powerful class a stuff still produces a good amount of heat, but there are no tubes to replace, bias, burn out, and so on

a really wonderful time to be in this hobby

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

Class A is the absolute best sound quality and contrary to popular belief they don't get that hot. A Class A or A,A/B power amp paired with a tube preamp is always a good combo.

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jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Belles!

czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 

I went from tubes (Cary Integrated) to Pass XA100.5's and have been very pleased with the sound quality. The XA amps do get quite warm however and if heat is your issue you may want to stay away from SS amps that are heavily biased into class A. Perhaps a Pass X series amp will work for you although I have no experience with how much heat they give off. 

Chuck

 

tablejockey
3,934 posts
 

That’s a shame you’re finding the PL too much. I use an PL HP. No heat concern.

Must be the layout of your space that makes heat build up? With 8 power tubes, they don’t seem to be overwhelmingly hot, at least in my room.

I hear PS Audio BHK as convincing.

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