Mid-fi tube vs high-end SS
Hello everyone. I am new here but not new to audio. I’ve been meaning to buy a high-end permanent SS amp for 2 years now. But not sure how much improvement I can get.
A little about what I have. I use a high-quality tube amp I bought for around $1,500. 55 watts per channel Class A. With upgraded tubes it’s a little over $2,000. The amp I have is the Musical Paradise mp-501 I’ll link below. Using upgraded Kt-170 tubes along with some nos 5693 red tubes and 717-a tubes.
My audio knowledge and listen ability has improved substantially these past few years thanks partly to this tube amp. Sorry for the long-winded intro. My actual question is, how much improvement should I expect going from this tube amp to something high-end SS like the Gato 150 and the incredible DVA M225? Very little reviews on the Gatos, I’m hoping I could get some help here, even anything about the Gato 150 from users would be helpful. Ty
https://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=55
@samureyex _ I agree with mesch, if your main focus with it is for movies and gaming, and what reads like from your post day time background listening maybe consider spending less on that amp; and using the excess funds towards your more dedicated music listening with your tube amp. As far as from where to purchase NOS tubes you can purchase from reputable places like : Vintage Tube Services, Brent Jessee, Upscale Audio and Tubemonger to just name a few.
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I had some speakers designed by Murphy for Salk (SS6M) and then I bought other speakers that are more like the BMR speakers you have now (with RAAL tweeter). Your speakers, by the way, seem like excellent ones and excellent values. In my experience, the best sound was attained in both sets of speakers with lower power tubes -- KT77’s are the best, to my ear. Your tube amp cannot run KT77s. That raises the possibility that you might get a different tube amp. The question becomes, what does the impedance curve on those BMR speakers look like? If it’s mostly flat, you’re good with lower power tubes, I think. As for SS, like @wolf_garcia I have a Pass XA-25 and it’s going in my casket with me. It’s unbelievably smooth, intimate, warm, great soundstage. |
@hilde45 Yea, the bmr are excellent values. Low sensitivity (86) but easy to drive, mild impedance curves.
@mesch You made a great point and it relates to my question. I love tubes but I don’t require that sound for music. I also love the strengths of what SS bring to the table for music. I was hoping there was a SS I could buy that could match or exceed the muscality of my tube amp for music, while also doing HT and gaming as well. But then any decent power SS can do HT and gaming.
Well I guess nothing beats home trial. I’ve pretty much narrowed amps down to 3 choices. I like a detailed midrange, and an airy neutral or even slightly boosted highs. My 3 choices are monoblocks DVA M225, Schitt Tyrs, and the integrated Gato 150. I could and should ditch the Gato but I’ve had a love-obsession with its beauty for the past few years. Home trialing is only realistic with the Gato, The Schitt Tyr is buy and be-done since it costs a lot to return. Unsure about DVA.
Edit: After looking around DVA does offer 30-day returns. Gotta pay shipping, brokerage fee and all that. The usuals. |
@audiman, "they use torroid type which no Highend company uses" My Rogers EH200Mk2 uses a giant toroid. Can't imagine anyone saying it is not "high end".
op, are you planning to use the same speakers and switch amps? physically, or with a switch box? Some issues with either of those plans. I gave up on it. you said you had inserted kt-170's. Your amp does not appear to have been designed for those, did the manufacturer say that would work? The transformers don't look large enough, and the bias circuit (cathode bias, I'd suspect) is unlikely to be correct for kt-170's. |
