2. amps-preamps
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solid state vs tubes

has anyone compared a tube amp to a solid state amp and discovered that the diffference sonically between them was undetectable. ? if so what was the tube amp and what was the solid state amp ?

the reason for the question is the basic issue of the ability to distinguish a tube amp from a solid state amp.

this is especially interesting if the components were in production during the 90's , 80's or 70's.

if the components are in current production the probability of such aan occurrence might increasea.

why own a tube amp if there exists a solid state amp that sounds indistinguishable from it ?
mrtennis
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,483 posts
 
Can anybody tell me a pair of speakers that sounds the same well with either tube or SS amplification?

I can think of different speaker/amp combos, some SS and some tube amps, that sound very similar, but I cannot cite a case where a tube and SS amp sounded the same with the same speakers. They will almost always sound different with different resulting sonic strengths and weaknesses, the the listener must decide which is better.

Unless you are Bob Carver and your goal is to emulate one amp with another. I do not know any vendor whose busines is based on that these days. Each quality vendor typically does their thing well, be it SS or tube amps or both. Choice of amp will determine choice of speakers or vice versa.

I think this is the bottom line. Build your system to meet your needs. Use tubes or SS as desired, but do not expect touse either to the same effect with the same speakers.
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pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Harbeth seems to be as fasinable with SS as tubes, whereas my speakers are proabably 98% tube users.
mrtennis OP
3,295 posts
 
mapman:

i heard avalon ascent and eclipse sound quite good with rowland and audio research ss amps. i've also heard them sound great with tubes.

in my opinion, the issue of ss vs tubes is more critical when the speaker is an electrostatic, ribbon, or planar magnetic.

i have heard vandersteen 2s sound "good" with ss and tube amps.

there are probably other acoustic suspension designs that can perform well with amps of either type.

i have not heard a panel sound as well with a ss amp as with a good tube amp.

i am trying to go cheap and am considering the khartago (odyssey) and vincent hybrid 331. i would like to audition them before buying, if possible.

since both are under $1000, i might take a chance.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,483 posts
 
MrT.,

yes, no doubt either might sound good with any good speaker design, not just electrostatic.

What I was wondering was do two different amps, much less a SS and a tube amp, ever sound the same. They can sound different and both good in different ways. That's different than sounding "the same".

If any two amps sound the same, then I suspect in most cases the speakers may be the limiting factors. I would expect most high end speakers to not sound the same with two different good amps, even if both were tube or SS, but even more so if one is tube and one is SS.

Unless of course Bob carver or equivalent designed the two to sound the same up front.
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