2. amps-preamps
  3. 1334720746

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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bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I have a client who owns the 800D. He used the ML 33's. Wenn I listend to this amps I was surprised how poor the sound and stage depth and wide was. He was not happy with it. So he asked me what to do? I said try Pass labs. He tried it and he still owns it. He never was this happy with his set ever. All the ML demo's I heard in my life ( there were a lot) I never got thrilled. Why? Because there are always missing essential parts which should be there. I think a combi with Pass labs power amp with a tube pre amp is a good option for you as well!!
onemug
784 posts
 
Bo1972,

"I think a combi with Pass labs power amp with a tube pre amp is a good option for you as well!!:

Agree with you on that. Been running a CJ tube pre (ART) into a Pass ss amp (XA100.5) into my Magnepan 3.6's for about 4 years now. No desire to try anything else and for reference, my other system is all tubed using an SET amp.

Also agree with the ML remarks. When I first heard the 33h's, they caught me but with further listening I felt something missing. I blamed that on what the SET did for my ears, something about the harmonics I think, but the Pass and tube pre combo works for me.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
People with less knowledge about audio could buy Mark Lenvinson. Wenn you are in this business you know how average it is compared to competitors.
csontos
1,311 posts
 
I'm not impressed with ML either. Too clinical, not enough decay or depth. Sounds like it's trying to be an Ampzilla. Very mediocre.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
In the 15 years I am in this business I never heard a good demo of ML gear. I listen a lot of them. With my knowledge it is difficult to understand why people bought it. You can get easily superior stuff for the same price. Wenn you spend a lot of money on this you want at least a deep and wide stage. And a very natural sound. Even these parts they cannot give. To be unnest often the people who have it did not know there was stuff which is that better. On the other hand you are still responsible for the stuff you bought.
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