Bryston vs. McCormack

My oh My. I used to be just like you guys - solid state all the way. I owned some great SS stuff like Threshold and McCormack. I kept moving up the power ladder going from 100 class A watts to 375, but always felt there was something lacking, and thought it was power. Then I got tricked one day into listening to tubes... SS people need to see the light. It's not about power. It's not about accuracy. It's not about distortion. None of these 'measurable' ratings have anything to do with what it's all about - the beauty of music. Solid state can't play music (at least not unless you can spend 5 figures). Tubes get you into the music like in a magical, emotional way. If you want to love music, you've got to free your mind and your spirit and get into tubes!

This is a bit off topic, but I did start the thread, right? Doesn't that allow for a bit of literary license? :-) audiojerry is right. Not the part about SS vs. tubes, but the emotional aspect, that it's the beauty of the music that really matters. That's why I bought the Hales: only one other speaker I auditioned, and could afford, drew me emotionally into the music to the point that it gave me goose bumps. Unfortunately, the first speakers were not full range, but were very directional and positionally tempermental. Not the best solution. My second choice wasn't so tempermental, but didn't so excite me. I was about to buy them figuring that, as usual, my champagne tastes were overloading my beer budget. Then, on a last minute whim, I heard the Hales. Not only are they full range and position tolerant, they also excite me! That's why I bought them virtually on the spot (ok, after a 3.5 hour audition). My interest in the McCormack is not a horsepower thing (well, not completely; I do want adequate headroom), but more its reputation for not adding or subtracting from the music. The music is why I'm interested in eventually having the McCormacks upgraded: the upgrade doesn't make the amp more powerful, it's strictly intended to improve the amp's overall characteristics. The McCormack *is* SS and to that end the pre-amp and DAC are both tubed (SF Line 1 and CAL Alpha), albeit that the Line 1 is less traditional in its "tubiness". So, ultimately I'm shooting for the best of both worlds. The cheap, available power of SS and the cleanness and focus of tubes. All because AJ is right, this really is about the music. I'll step off my soapbox now. Thanks for the input, AJ.

Hi (again) Fpeel; I thought AJ made the case for tubes very well also, and I've tried a comparably priced tube amp; the midrange and highs were beautiful, but the bass, although deep, was so slow, bloated, and boomy that I knew it was not for me. I listen to a lot of populat, mid-bass heavy music (blues, soul, rock, pop etc), and good bass control is essential to me. I've personally found that a good tubed pre-amp with a good solid state amp is the way to go. I have nothing against good tube equipment. You've made a good choice. Enjoy. Craig

I couldn't agree more Garfish. To get the top to bottom coherence of a good solid state amp, you would have to buy high 4 figure or possibly a five figure tubed amp. Then there's the retubing... 70 watts per channel = $$$$ at the tube store once a year. Dont get me wrong, Jerry, I Love the sound of say, CJ Premier 8's, but I cant even afford their tubes once a year, much less the amps themselves. It IS all about the music. But a solid state amp, the McCormacks at that (I guarantee you if Stereophile accepted no advertising, these would be in the Class A listing) paired with a tubed Preamp (now... 2 12AU7's, I can handle that once every 2 years) gives you MOST of the magic of a full tubed rig. IT is all about the music, and if a 20 watt Jolida Tubed integrated does it for you, then great. I would rather find a speaker that I agree with, then find supporting components. IF I could live with Klipschorns, then I guess a 2A3 or 300B based 3 to 7 watt per channel amp would be the answer. Anyway, I like to see the sharing of opinions and information in such a positive manner as in this particular posting. It's refreshing to see that some of us are still interested in spreading the knowledge and love of a truly noble quest.

I couldn't agree more Garfish. To get the top to bottom coherence of a good solid state amp, you would have to buy high 4 figure or possibly a five figure tubed amp. Then there's the retubing... 70 watts per channel = $$$$ at the tube store once a year. Dont get me wrong, Jerry, I Love the sound of say, CJ Premier 8's, but I cant even afford their tubes once a year, much less the amps themselves. It IS all about the music. But a solid state amp, the McCormacks at that (I guarantee you if Stereophile accepted no advertising, these would be in the Class A listing) paired with a tubed Preamp (now... 2 12AU7's, I can handle that once every 2 years) gives you MOST of the magic of a full tubed rig. IT is all about the music, and if a 20 watt Jolida Tubed integrated does it for you, then great. I would rather find a speaker that I agree with, then find supporting components. IF I could live with Klipschorns, then I guess a 2A3 or 300B based 3 to 7 watt per channel amp would be the answer. Anyway, I like to see the sharing of opinions and information in such a positive manner as in this particular posting. It's refreshing to see that some of us are still interested in spreading the knowledge and love of a truly noble quest.