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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
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
Tim, maybe Ralph will give us a black light bulbs option... for when we’re feeling a little Iron Butterfly.
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
Hell! How about mini lava lamps? I’m getting pumped!
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,834 posts
 
Generally speaking class D amplifier modules are less expensive. I have a 100 watt/channel module that cost $25 each in low quantities. It is the size of a pack of cigarettes, including heatsink, input/output connections and power supply connections. All you add is the power supply and the box.

Yet what I see in the marketplace are amps that cost nearly as much as their traditional SS brethren. Its pretty apparent to me that the main push for class D is that you can make a lot more money selling them.

I've been looking at methods of incorporating more tubes into the process. There is even a method of using a power tube for output switching.... the problem with using them though is you can see through your hands when the amp is on.
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 

"I've been looking at methods of incorporating more tubes into the process. There is even a method of using a power tube for output switching.... the problem with using them though is you can see through your hands when the amp is on."
Atmasphere (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Atmasphere,
Can you elaborate on your comment of "the problem with using them though is you can see through yourhands when the amp is on"? I'm not quite grasping the meaning, sounds like engineer slang for transparent but I'm not sure.

Thanks,
Tim
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,834 posts
 
It was a joke. If you run a real high voltage on tubes they can emit X-rays.
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