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can a tube-o-phile be happy with ss?

I switched to tubes over a decade ago, after realizing that I no longer listened to the stereo because it did not sound like real music and ss and digital were irritating, on a subconscious level. Went to all tubes and mostly LP's. It worked. I even prefer triode with no negative feedback settings, usually. Now ss has supposedly improved, and its advantages beckon, e.g., less heat, electricity and trouble, better bass and perhaps more detail and clarity. Have any of you voluntarily gone back to the dark side and been content? (with the understanding that it never really ends, for an audiophile). On an unlimited budget one might have few complaints, but this question is necessarily in the context of a semblance of fiscal sanity, not top of the line Boulder, Ayre or Zanden.
128x128lloydc
mcfarland
356 posts
 
Yes. I am running 2 systems: the first is all tubed except for the cd/dac and tuner. Analog delivers the goods on both systems. The second system is in my bedroom, and is solid state. Analog still delivers the goods, and I don't miss the "tube hassle" in the bedroom system at all. In fact, I might just consider going solid state in the :big rig" too, although I am quite happy with it. (Bedroom system: Mr 78 McIntosh tuner, Toshiba sd9200/ARC dac, Garrard turntable/shure v15 cartridge/ YBA integra DT with phono stage, and Martin Logan SL3's; The "big rig" in the living room is: McIntosh tuner (MR 67, this one is tubed), Toshiba SD 9200, Meridian 563 dac, Oracle Delphi Mk1 TT/grado master cartridge MM, or, my trusty old AR TT, Atma-Sphere MP 3 with phono stage, Revox a77 RTR (no tubes in the RTR tape machine), Atma-Sphere M60's, and Harmon Kardon Sixty's.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I'm bi and proud. Could swing both ways, but usually come back to tubes when all is said and done. Still, I've enjoyed several good SS amplifiers in the past. I have similar tastes in that I prefer SET, but that hasn't stopped me from trying and enjoying SS for the strengths it has to offer. I haven't gotten hooked by SS as of yet...always have come back to SET. Best SS I've heard in my own system has been an Ayre VX5e and Bel Canto Ref 1000's (the latter being Class D). I could probably live with the Ayre and not pine for my SET amps...I think!!!????? The sacrifice would be in the width and depth of soundstage and general sense of space, which I find very compelling about my SET amps. I don't know if the Ayre falls into the realms of your own sense of fiscal sanity, nor how it might pair with your own system, but I'd say it'd be worth a listen if you were so inclined...that's my .02 cents on the matter...ymmv, as always.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Bi is whimpy in my book: Pentode, triode, Ultralinear, 7 watts, 120 watt monos, Class A solid state, Class A/B solid state, Theater, Stereo, SACD, DVD/A, Vinyl, CD...all I'm missing is a headphone amp (anyone have an extra?).
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I have a DC amp you can check out if you want :)
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
It depends entirely on your speakers. Some speakers love tubes and sound poorly with SS whilst other speakers simply can't be controlled adequately with tubes.
If you've found the speakers that suit your room and make you swoon, see if they actually respond to solid state?
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