Yes. Audition with SS amps first and then tubes later. Bass was more extended but I love the warmth of the tubes with the ribbon tweeter combo in the highs/mids. Also, listened to the Helicon 300, 400 and 800 with SS amps (SimAudio 70w, McIntosh (MC252, MC402), Conrad Johnson (LP66S), CONSONANCE M-400S monoblock). Actually, the Consonace monos where actually the experience that pushed me more to tubes. After that experience started listening to MC275 with Focal 1027Be which led me back to Dali Helicon 300.
Just had this discussion with another McIntosh user this morning whom previously used the larger MC502s. Now has MC275(s) run in mono.
One of the reasons for tubes is the percussion and drums for Jazz and New Aged music. The SS was a bit harsh in the upper end using the ribbon tweeter combo. Maybe it was CD player or SS preamp. Now I listening to more vocals than before with the C500 preamp and EMM Labs CDSA. I get so much detail of vocals and solos instruments along with greater depth behind the Dalis.
