Tube vs. SS Dilemma


Hi there Audiogon Community
Need some serious help and don’t know who to talk to but you guys. I have been upgrading my system for the past year and a half now, selling and buying stuff. First I went the tube route, bought an Atlas Magnum Amp, Cary SLP 03 Tube Preamp, was dreaming the liquidy tube dream, was amazed at the upgrade from an old and tired hybrid amp I had. Sources: estoteric DV50 for cd and vinyl via a Lenco TT and Ear Phono. Mainly listen to jazz, classic rock and some bits of classical.
But got a hold of a Mark Levinson Preamp, a 380 model and had a spare Krell 250a amp, hook the esoteric cd player to this second setup and was just blown away, I always thought that my heart would always be glowing with tubes or at least a tube/ss setup, but man am I enjoying the SS turn, the bass carácter of the Krell is addictive.
So my question is: What is happening? Am I just shocked “temporarily” by the ML/Krell combo? Should I just wait for a while and do a second and third shootout between setups? Or the fact that the ML/Krell combo is much better – in terms of the models I have vs. the tube models – part of the reasons that explain the differences and should look for better tube amp/preamp before seriously comparing the two?
As soon as I listened to the ML/Krell combo, my first thought was to keep upgrading my system the ss way, instead of the tube route, but before I make drastic changes want to hear from you guys’ experience. I don’t want to make this a tube vs. ss question, therefore I hope the details of the inquiry help steer away broad answers in that regard.
Should add the speakers I’m using with all these setups: GoldenEar triton 2’s. Thanks in advance. I always enjoy reading the forum, but now I had to ask the question before declaring this a case of mild audiophile schizophrenia.
Thanks.
128x128musicgeorge11
Thanks Atmasphere!
Speakers are GoldenEar Triton 2's and I did and a/b/c/d comparison, i.e., played with different combos with another set of Paradigm Studio 60. But with the GoldenEar's the tube setup was not as detailed and clean - I need a better word here - when I turned the volumen up at some difficult parts of the same recording. What I mean by difficult is a section of the recording that had many things playing at once: brass section, acoustic bass, drums, female voice, etc. a grand finale of sorts. The ML/Krell was asking for more volumen in these parts, the tube setup was asking a way out. Don't know if I'm explaining myself.
Atmasphere is right,the amp -speaker match determines so much regarding outcome. A good tube amp on a proper speaker has no problem reproduing complex musical passages. This tube amp just may not be appropriate for your speaker that`s all. But again you do seem to have a very good match with your SS electronics so everything`s fine.
Hey just to throw this out there as it sounds like you are having fun, have you tried pairing the Cary preamp with the Krell amp? Might be interesting to listen to, I am a firm believer in tubed preamps adding a lot to a system.
I second the tube preamp and solid state amp combination. Right now using all solid state because I like the equipment powered up all the time. Will be buying a VTL tube preamp very soon to add a different sound when I get bored with the current setup.
This is not a tube vs SS issue. ML is extraordinary in it's signature sound as is Krell. This a comparison of two different systems. The OP has decided that the two examples off different systems are representative of most tube amps and most SS amps. The comparison is being made on the basis of these assumption which we know are not true.
I agree though that if you found what you like your one step ahead and can build your system around what you know really makes you happy.