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Tubes vs Solid State

I have have been listening to music all my life but have only recently started experimenting with different amplifier and/or speakers/component combinations. I have recently moved from Parasound JC 1's to Classe Cam 400 monoblocks which I have both loved (maybe the prior a bit more) and are contemplating another move. I have been very intrigued by tube monoblocks and have the opportunity now to move to ARC ref 600's. I can also get Mark Levinson 33's for about the same cost. I am just uncertain about the Ref 600's as I am worried that I might be disappointed in the tube sound.

Can someone with more experience perhaps help me out here ? I am using the amps as part of a home-theatre setup driving 802 d's and other 800 diamond fronts and rears. I would really appreciate some good advice here.
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dhl93449
455 posts
 
If you can live with the practicality issues of that ARC 600 (ie size, mass, heat generation, tube life, etc) and cost (isn't it about 10x the JC1?), then go for it. For that kind of cash, I would have your dealer install it in your home for a trail listen. Then you can see if you can live with it.

Generally, I have found SS amps to be better for me (and I also own a pair of JC1s driving B&W 803ds) than EQUIVALENT priced tube stuff, this comparison is a whole new ballgame. Generally that is because driving my 803ds with an equvalently priced tube equipment means a lot lower power in the tube amp which results in lower dynamic range and transient punch. Where power is important (particularly with B&Ws and movie sound tracks), solid state is the cost effective winner. The ARC 600 takes the power issue out of the discussion, even if its not an apples to apples comparison.
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atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,038 posts
 
Matching amps and speakers is important!

Take a look at this link:
http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.php

The B&W 802 is designed to work on an amplifier that can double its power when the load is cut in half. Specifically, it has an 8 ohm midrange and tweeter, but the woofers are in parallel and so are 4 ohms. Not only that, but the woofers are 3 db less efficient than the mid and tweeter. To correct this, its expected that the amplifier will double its power into the lower impedance.

No tube amp can do this and so on this speaker, tube amps will have less punch in the bass. Now if you had a speaker that did not expect that of the amplifier, then you could get more punch out of a tube amp than a transistor amp...

Its all in the match. Of course its my opinion that tubes offer more music much easier than transistors do (I know of one transistor amp that is really musical but it retails for over $100,000...).

Another issue with 4 ohms is that the speaker cable is more critical and also that any amplifier driving 4 ohms (tube or transistor) will not sound as good as it does driving higher impedances. So if you are seeking musicality, you may want to consider replacing the speaker as well.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
If you need to stick to the B&W's, stick with SS. In addition to all the reasons stated, tubes will be unstable with the loads the B&W need. I had a similar problem with my B&W's but I then sold them off to get speakers that were tube friendly.
sgunther
187 posts
 
I use the Rogue M180's with KT 120 tubes to drive Martin Logan Summits (which present a very difficult load to amp) with very good effect. You can retube yourself as there is a built in bias meter.
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