2. amps-preamps
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how close in sound can a tube and ss amp sound ?

i have observed threads requesting advice regarding tube sounding solid state amps, within a price point.

i wonder how to confirm such a request.

in addition to recommendations, what about comparing a particular ss amp to a particular tube amp using an experimental design where bias, or preconception has been eliminated ?

has anyone tested the hypothesis that he/she cannot detect the difference between a tube and a ss amp, within the same power range, price point and minimizing interaction problems, such as impedeance mismatches ?

on the other hand if someone is seeking a tube-like sound out of a solid state amp, i would assume that one would use a "classic" sounding tube amp, e.g., cj mv 45, cj 75, cj 100, or cj mv125 as the tube amp and try to find a ss amp that is indistinguishable from the sound of the classic tube amp.

i have found that many ss amps differ with respect to bass and treble response from many tube amps.

in my own case, i would love to find a 120 watt ss amp which sounds like my vtl tube amp. unfortunately, i am not optimistic.

in other threads, some people have stated that it is impossible to find a ss amp that is "tube-like", in the classic sense.
mrtennis
pdspecl
254 posts
 

Well, I had a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 tube amp and while I liked how the amp sounded in my system it actualy did not sound tube compared to my former Quicksilver or Counterpoint amps. So in my case a tube amp does not always equate to 'tubey' sound.
I heard several B&K amps that leans towards tube like sound versus an older Aragon 2004 amp that I had many years back that was the completely opposite. Just my 2 cents :)
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
A ss amp that sounds like a tube one is an oxymoron. Never shall they sound alike.
rleff
1,065 posts
 
"in my own case, i would love to find a 120 watt ss amp which sounds like my vtl tube amp. unfortunately, i am not optimistic."
I think you already have answered your question.
In my opinion and with my system the roland model 6 monoblocks I have come close to my audiovalve challanger 180 mono's but not the same in regards with the female vocals,jazz and even pink floyd when they visit.
I bet you will get a reply from Atmasphere and see what he thinks.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,807 posts
 
Yup!

All you have to do is clip the amp and you will know the difference between tube and transistor. That's the tip of the iceberg and the rest is already well 'documented'.

You will find many transistor amps that are lauded as having 'tube-like' qualities. But so far no-one is acknowledged as having found a means of causing a transistor amp to actually sound like a tube amp.

The bottom line is quite simple: if you want the sound of transistors don't get a tube amp and if you want the sound of tubes don't get a transistor amp.

Much discussion could ensue but that will be the gist of it.
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