Solid state to tube

I just made the jump after years with solid state. I bought an ARC 3SE phono stage and immediately noticed the difference and the synergy with my turntable and the type of music I primarily play (1950s and 60s jazz.)

Based on this experience, I added an ARC preamp and power amp and am thrilled with the sound, even in these early days of tube burn-in. Of note, even my wife noticed the difference and she typically never hears the difference. 

@ronboco 

Both tube and solid state amplifiers if push-pull can be either class A bias or class AB. If they are single ended circuits (Rather than push-pull) then they are pure class A by default. For example, all SET or SEP tube  amplifiers are exclusively pure class A circuits. First Watt has some solid state single ended class A amplifiers.

Charles

@thr1961 Based on this experience, I added an ARC preamp and power amp and am thrilled with the sound, even in these early days of tube burn-in. Of note, even my wife noticed the difference and she typically never hears the differebe hard for anyone not to notice the difference in my sound.

Yep! With that degree of change it’d be near impossible not to hear a difference. 😊

Congratulations. Nice move by you.

Charles

@charles1dad 

Thank you for the explanation. 
 

happy listening everyone !

Ron 

If you want to start with your existing power amps and start by adding a tube preamp these are the less expensive models that interest me, and I've been using tube gear (predominantly) since the mid 70's.

I'm out of touch with auditioning recent models and my interest in these items is based solely upon numerous online reviews (including those by A'Gon members who's opinions I have come to trust over time).

First up is a combination head phone/speaker amp that can also be used as a line stage preamplifier.

If you search A'Gon there is a review/post of it comparing it to their much more expensive preamp (the poster owned/used both in their system).

DeKay