2. amps-preamps
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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
lloydc's avatar
lloydc OP
752 posts
 
Thanks for the opinions. The advice that it depends most on the speakers makes sense. It sounds (ahem) like it has been difficult to go back to SS and stay with it, for most who have tried, after becoming accustomed to the beauties of tubes, but like any generality, there are exceptions.
mozartrules
42 posts
 
Yes, it is possible.

I went from tubes to a Pass Aleph (with Quad 2805) and is very happy. But a real class A amp like that doesn't exactly give much of a heat/electricity advantage over tubes!
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Don't do it! There's no reason to jump off a roof. The best TUBE equipment is better sounding than the best ss. More attention to detail when they are built. Good Luck.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
I must be like Deon Sanders… for as much as I enjoy my all tube power train, the aspect of now and then adding an SS amp sure is nice. Probably I won’t add an SS preamp though. Definitely not on par with the tube preamp I have, anyways.

Mainly, and speaking for myself only, this vasilation of mine from hollow state to solid and back again, stems from deep within. Nothing else. Both sides of the how to do music coin, Tube or SS are valid enough methods that can be lived with long term.

But now isn’t some degree of ‘both’ even better? Doubtless here when I say both, I should say both together. 50/50. SS + Tubes, or vice versa.

AS was said already, your speakers are likely gonna make the call which way you wind up going, if one, the other, or onto a 50/50 basis. Even if you aren’t aware of it going in. Ultimately, you’ll find your best combo I’m sure…. But having both around sure is nice, if for no other reason than a change of pace now and then.

eg., Tweaking & rolling… I’m with Jacks here.. once you get there, why keep going?
loki1957's avatar
loki1957
122 posts
 
I replaced Jadis Defy7, JA30s, JA200s, for Odyssey Mono Extremes with the glass ceiling upgrade. I never thought I'd listen to anything other than tubes. Was I wrong. Resolution(the Jadis do not have anywhere near this level of resolution. Never knew what I was missing till now. I can never go back), dynamics, control, extension. They make my Jadis amps sound very colored and rolled off.
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