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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
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
And Mechans, thanks, let me do some more listening with the Cary SLP 03 Preamp. and the Krell combo., since many people favor the Tube Pre/SS Amp.
I might have disregarded this option too quickly. After doing some more listening I may have a better idea on what questions to ask.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
Let me take a different tack considering the comments on the GoldenEar speaker specs and the need to attend the power amp and speaker combination.
What would be a good speaker to consider if I'm using the Krell 250a and the Mark Levinson 380 preamplifier. Maybe I can consider this different speaker to get the most out of my SS setup.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,203 posts
 
Mgeorge,

I would see no issue with the Krell and Geoldenears. Powerwise, its probably overkill, if anything. Nothing wrong with that. Its more how does it sound to you and what if anything different or better are you looking for with the sound?
vhiner
544 posts
 
I am not casting aspersions on anyone's advice here, but I stick by my earlier statement that system synergy can be elusive. Whether it's a dark art or not depends upon how confident one is when advising someone about a system one has never heard. I, for one, would exercise caution and not encourage you to start swapping things out in a system that you say pleases you. I have seen people spend thousands of dollars chasing the holy grail only to make things worse. If you're happy with what you have, why not just live with it for a while? What is lacking when you listen to the ML/Krell combo? Why would replacing the Golden Ear speakers fix/solve/improve? What would your ideal/dream system sound like? The answer to these questions might help you and others find what you're looking for.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Vhiner,

"I am not casting aspersions on anyone's advice here, but I stick by my earlier statement that system synergy can be elusive."

If you were referring to my post, you may have gotten the wrong meaning. I was agreeing with you. I just took your idea and went a little further with it. The dark art applies when you are building a system in your head. Things like reviews and comments on threads like this give one ideas as to what they want to do. The problem is verification occurs, more often than not, after the purchase, and not before. The darkness.

Your 2nd post is as good advice as can be given. If the system sounds good, just be careful. Its far easier to make a good system sound bad than a good system sound better.

OP,

The Krell/ML combo is a good sounding, neutral and powerful base to build a system on. They should sound very good with a very wide range of speakers and sources.
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