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Help What Say You - Amp choices

I have been pulling my hair out the last few weeks listening to amps at different stores. My final three choices are the Rogue Audio M150, McIntosh MC352 (used from a friend) and the McCormack DNA-225. All are well built. No problem there. All presented a great warm sound. My dilemma is that I keep hearing about how tubes don't have the same weight, authority or control of bass as solid state. And I can't honestly say that I heard a difference going from stereo to monoblocks. Granted, I can't hear them all at the same time due to different audio stores, but I don't feel like the Rogues were lacking in the bass area, yet neither the McCormack or the McIntosh seemed overwhelmingly powerful in comparison to the Rogue. Any help, suggestions, medication (LOL) you can recommend is greatly appreciated.
hawk28
hawk28 OP
121 posts
 
You might have something there. Tube Preamp, Solid State power amp, muscle and finess all at once, and a quality brand name (like McIntosh) to boot. Makes a lot of sense.
undertow
1,033 posts
 
Hawk28, seeing your responses.. I will offer my bottom line opinion specifically on the amps you are seeking.. Price for you Used, the rogues and mcCormack are better buys. However Tubes vs. solid state is not so much an issue here as to be quite honest after owning the rogues vs. other tubes its much more solid state like in its presentation. So its not bad just saying its not that different if your looking for true "tube" sound than other choices are going to be leaning more that way.. All this being said, Value, and closest to tube sound in my opinion holding true to the qualities seeked with better overal future cash out if necessary, Go mcintosh, its basically like wilson speakers, regardless if it’s the best or not for the money it’s a safe bet for other reasons especially if it gets the job done for you sonically which it seems too, and yes replacing the tubes for similar sound out of the amps you are considering are now in my opinion not necessary, or try some other tube amps that are much more of the tube magic in the first place. I have owned amps from all 3 listed by the way.     
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
The biggest difference, between tube amps that sound somewhat Solid state like (and, the Rogues are one of many that fit here) should be heard in mid-range reproduction quality.

If you can't hear a difference "here" between the contenders, and all have bass/treble reproduction that fits your requirements...I would go with one of the solid state contenders.

I made my switch from solid state to tubes, only because I was never "totally happy" with SS midrange reproduction, from any amps I had owned over the years. The ones without grain, sounded somewhat flat in soundstage, and the non-flats where forward sounding, with just enough grain to bother...tubes fixed all that for me.

Other than that...I'm a solid state guy (dressed up in tube clothing).

Dave
hawk28 OP
121 posts
 
Sogood51, thanks for your insight. I guess that's what it is. Rogue offers a sought of solid state sound with the warmth and midrange of tubes. I guess I'm on the right track then to go through with my purchase of the tube preamp. Based on this info, I will make a decision between the McCormack and the McIntosh fairly soon. Thanks for the info.
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