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Tube vs SS vs Digital

I've read a lot of the older posting on Tube vs SS, and they are now about 3 years old. I am looking at making a change with my amp/preamp. I would like some advice. Budget is about $15k.

From a tube perspective, I am considering something like a Rogue M-180 and a Cary SLP-05.

From a SS perspective, I am considering something like a Classe' CA-M600 and a CP-800.

From a Digital perspective, something like a Bel Canto REF 1000M and a preamp from Ayre.

My concern is this: my local dealer mentioned that I should stay away from tubes as he has seen tubes "blow up" and ruin good speakers. Really?

I would like to get some opinions on the best route to go and possible brands/models/combinations.

Speakers are Revel Salon 2. Source is Rega RP3 TT and Oppo 95.

Thanks!
mbovaird
spinaker01
491 posts
 
Almarg is correct. Without getting into the whole tubes vs SS thing, the awesome Ultima 2 is probably one of the least tube friendly speakers I can think of. As mentioned, their funky impedance curve and low efficiency pretty much rule out all but the biggest ARC or BAT tube amps. Think Krell, Levinson, Boulder or Pass for these babies.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,342 posts
 
REf1000m is a rock solid choice in your case I would say. Lots of things in common with some of the larger and better tube amps I have heard except with seemingly unending power reserves. I too have large power hungry speakers and am unable to phase my ref1000m's running them with any kind of music. I auditioned a larger Rogue tube power amp (not sure of exact model) and smaller JEff Rowland Class D amps before going the ref1000m route. I liked the Rogue a lot. I am very happy and set for the foreseeable future with teh ref1000ms.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
mbovaird,
Almarg`s post is significant,the speaker type/characteristics will determine the sucess of a particular power amplifier. As he clearly pointed out your speaker is a difficult load for most tube amps and is likely better matched to a high quality SS amplifier.The load impedance and phase angle are really 'more' crtical than sensitivity in determining amp-speaker compatability.I`m not saying no tube amps would work but most SS amps offer a more natural fit =drive ability(for your speaker) based on their design.
Regards,
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
as ralph karsten has said, the problem with ss amps is odd order harmonics.

i have been searching for a ss amp, but ralph reminded me why i don't like them.

maybe there is a ss amp with minimal odd order harmonics, but i haven't found one which works well with panel speakers.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Mr.T, your Quad electrostatics are a different animal altogether than the Revels. The Quads (and most electrostatics) will tend to sound brighter with solid state amplification than with tube amplification, which is the opposite of how the Revels will behave.

Regards,
-- Al
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