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Tubes/SS Power Amps?


I've only heard, auditioned, listened to top of the line tube amps; consequently, I don't know squat about top of the line SS power amps. My problem is "heat". If the SS gets hot, I might as well have tubes.

Reviews that I've read on top of the line SS amps, always mention the heat. Rather than have a SS furnace in my listening room, I'll go with tubes. By the way, I don't think there's much difference between tubes and SS amps when you have a tube pre; especially top of the line. I'm searching for an amp in the vicinity of 100 watts per channel with balanced inputs, preferably mono blocks. Cool running SS is what I'm looking for. Can you help?
orpheus10
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Wolf_Garcia, while I agree with you and Atmasphere, because that's as far as my current knowledge will go; I have to take what others have written in regard to Class D amps, into consideration before the hot Summer months.


Noble100, "Class D is so neutral, quiet and clean that I'm probably hearing the sound of my preamp and source more than the sound imparted by my amp. I have noticed an improvovent in sound (more tube like) with the VTL/ClassD Audio combo than my previous VTL/Aragon combo. This was further improved when I recently replaced my preamp's NOS Mullards with a fresh set."

What Noble100 has described, is just what the doctor ordered; cool running, imparts the sound of an excellent "tube" pre with no sound of it's own. This is definitely something I could live with for the summer. As much as I love my tube mono blocks, I can live without a lit fireplace in my listening room during July.

Enjoy the music.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,284 posts
 
"Class D is so neutral, quiet and clean that I'm probably hearing the sound of my preamp and source more than the sound imparted by my amp."

That's a good point and may well be the case. I use a tube pre-amp with my Class D amps as well (Audio Research sp16).
wolf_garcia
6,704 posts
 
Are Class D amps less expensive to make? Seems like they are (more power for the buck). I used a great little Class D Ampeg bass amp recently, and it was amazing. I still think tubes are more engaging (and suit my low threshold of gear entertainment) especially from an esthetic point of view, and I dig the tweek factor (who "rolls" parts of a Class D module? rhetorical question..)...a Class D hifi amp would have to have blue VU meters and an Art Deco case for me to warm up to it, but that bass amp was sweet.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,284 posts
 
"a Class D hifi amp would have to have blue VU meters and an Art Deco case for me to warm up to it,"

That would be cool. Any Mac Class Ds yet? That would get my attention.

GIve it time....
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
"a Class D hifi amp would have to have blue VU meters and an Art Deco case for me to warm up to it,”

...and maybe a couple of very low wattage lightbulbs protruding from the top :-)
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