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Solid state or tube what to do??

My system is Arcam A85 DIVA, Quad 12L speakers, NAD 521i CDP, Audioquest interconnects, and Type 4 Speaker cables. I purchased the Arcam 7 months ago but now have the itch to go tube. I have the option of trading my Arcam for a Cayin TA-30 that is fully modded except for the Auricaps. Also included are 2 sets of Svetlana tubes (one pair already on board) and the others to sweeten the deal. Am I making a bad move here by doing a straight trade or should I take the chance. I have no way of auditioning the Cayin as the owner is several hundred miles away. Being new to tube, what would I be losing by giving up my Arcam and/or gaining by getting the Cayin. Also, the little Quads are 6ohms. Could this cause a problem for the Cayin?
butterscotchmusic
rwbadley's avatar
rwbadley
143 posts
 
I have not heard the Arcam, but I own the ta-30. Before the Cayin I was on a ratrace with various SS amps. The cayin put a stop to that for the last year and a half. I do miss a little of the power sometimes, usually when I've been drinking and feel the need for excess volume and bass slam. The presence of the tube amp and amazing full bodied character and imaging I really like. Maybe try to buy the Cayin or borrow it for a time- compare the two and tell us all what you think... you could always sell one or the other when done
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,786 posts
 
Having used ARC tubes since 1990 (CL-60, VT-100 Mk-I, VT100 Mk-III) and Almarro A205A SE integrated until recently, I find myself using the super-nice Parasound A23 (SS, 180 w/ch @ 4 ohms) to drive my Thiel 1.6's.
The Parasound amp is so sweet I hardly miss the VT-100.

My advice is this:

If you tend to extended listening sessions, go with tubes.
If you listen for shorter periods (a couple of hours after work, etc.) go with solid state.
Transistors have a little more pizzaz in the short run.

This is why we need two systems!
bigjoe's avatar
bigjoe
693 posts
 
if your as you say itching to try tubes then sell the arcam outright & hunt down a more powerfull tube amp,a 30 watt tube amp dont leave you many options at all & your bass response will suffer not to mention the lack of any headroom,unless you always listen at lower volumes you will end up missing the power of the arcam with a 30 watt tube amp.

keep in mind that only on rare occasions do mods add any value to a peice of gear unless its a cap upgrade,one more thing to think about,30 watts is 30 watts no matter weather it be tube watts or ss watts.

mike.
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rauliruegas
13,092 posts
 
Dear Randelldoyle: Your Quad speakers are not very efficient one: 88db, and their nomonal impedance is 6 Ohms ( but they go as down 3 Ohms ).

These speakers characteristics tell to any one that it will best matched with SS electronics.

You can choose a tube amp but you never really could heard the real great Quad 12L sound reproduction performance through tubes .

Every tube amp ( any ) has a high output impedance that preclude a steady ( frecuency response ) performance.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
pauly
1,012 posts
 
Go tubes - you will not be sorry.
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