Tube Amps Over Solid State...?

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by nando, Dec 12, 2007.

  1. nando

    nando nando

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
    Messages:
    4,017
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    london
    Growing Up As A Youngster With Valve Amps And Tried All Sorts Of Makes And Amps, Have Now Found My Self Going Back To Tubes, Anyone Has A Same View?
     
    nando, Dec 12, 2007
    #1
  2. nando

    banpe2006

    Joined:
    May 2, 2006
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    West Mids
    Ive not gone back nando, but have recently "found " valves.....I tried a lot of pre amps SS, but didnt feel that the vocals were "right"...I purchased a welborne labs battery powered pre amp, and I instantly knew I was in business. I never would have tried valves, due to the risk factor and biasing (still dont know what that is ) but this only uses 2 x ecc86 valves, so is simple...it really did beat anumber of more expensive amps when trying. For a power amp though, Im a coward and didnt want to risk a big power valve amp, so Ive just got a SS belles soloist 500 ocm. Waiting for it to arrive.
     
    banpe2006, Dec 12, 2007
    #2
  3. nando

    RobHolt Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2004
    Messages:
    4,126
    Likes Received:
    9
    I spent many years with SS and only moved over to tubes about three years ago. I'm very glad I did because trying some good tube amps removed many of my prejudices against them as a breed (and taught me a valuable lesson that they are far from a 'breed' in fact).

    Lately I've gone back to SS and ultimately I feel SS gets closer to the source, ie imposes less character than even very fine tube amps. I still run my WAD tube phono stage, though there is actually nothing of the original stage left in the case :)

    Could all change again one day, different system, different room, broken heating etc ;)
     
    RobHolt, Dec 12, 2007
    #3
  4. nando

    Markus S Trade

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2003
    Messages:
    1,527
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Nether Addlethorpe
    Amps blameless but boring?
     
    Markus S, Dec 12, 2007
    #4
  5. nando

    ADPully

    Joined:
    May 20, 2007
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Oxford
    Ive had valve amps in my main system since 1980 I started off with kt88 100w push pull - Ive gravitated to a 9w kt90 single ended. power amp Always driven by passive preamps.

    I
    I have owned a sugden and a electrocompanient class A SS amps and many others less significant. I currently also have a class t amp - The bass is certainly more controlled with these SS amps but the sound is cold - with SS in my experience music doent seem to rise and fall in the same way - For me valve wins esp for long term listening enjoyment.

    Andy
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 13, 2007
    ADPully, Dec 13, 2007
    #5
  6. nando

    zanash

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2003
    Messages:
    3,826
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Notts.
    I'll second that ...
     
    zanash, Dec 13, 2007
    #6
  7. nando

    kmac

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2006
    Messages:
    568
    Likes Received:
    0
    There are of course...hybrid amps. Best of both worlds, with a little bit of compromise.
     
    kmac, Dec 13, 2007
    #7
  8. nando

    ditton happy old soul

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2003
    Messages:
    1,261
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Edinburgh
    I don't look to amps to add anything but ampflication.

    I confess I've never tried tubes except in the pre-amp. And I now don't have a preamp
     
    ditton, Dec 13, 2007
    #8
  9. nando

    speedy.steve

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2005
    Messages:
    525
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Surrey/Hants/Berkshire borders
    I was converted 5 years ago.
    I guess the tube amp in question was a serious upgrade as well, so perhaps a more expensive amp SS would have convinced me as well.
    I do find tube rolling to be a very positive factor.
    Change preamp, cables or CDP and you can adjust things to suit.

    I now need to try a TVC.
     
    speedy.steve, Dec 13, 2007
    #9
  10. nando

    Colin2040

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2007
    Messages:
    437
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have tried various SS and hybrid but have I always end up coming back to a valve amp now a 300b SE . I always feel that the valve just does it better and long term listening is more enjoyable. I also use a passive as well but have a Class T amp for the days when the valve amp is being tweaked.
     
    Colin2040, Dec 13, 2007
    #10
  11. nando

    nando nando

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
    Messages:
    4,017
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    london
    i have tried also ear, amongst sonic frontiers, etc, now belive it or not the fatman 182, also the 252, the kt88 182 is very good ,detail is super and fast on all types of music, the mid is excellent and treble is sparkling with a tight bass,18 watts per channel single ended class a, however the 252 el34 push pull gives me a more dynamic sound with ease of non fatiguing sound and they glow beautifull, looks good too,
    nando
     
    nando, Dec 13, 2007
    #11
  12. nando

    lbr monkey boy

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2004
    Messages:
    837
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    In a happy place
    I started on SS, moved to a WAD PSE and loved it. Then went back to SS for a while but ultimately I found all the amps failed to deliver long term. Currently running a little Decware single ended - best I've had so far
     
    lbr, Dec 13, 2007
    #12
  13. nando

    bottleneck talks a load of rubbish

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    6,766
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    bucks
    The main problem with tube amps, is that insensitive speakers are a pre-requisite for complex, powerful, hot, expensive, and often a little muddy sounding push-pull amps, and that these amps STILL don't have the bass grip of solid state equivalents.

    So, you need to look at changing parameters - either getting more sensitive speakers to work with a simpler, cleaner lower power amp, or alternatively bi/tri amping - leaving the bass to something else.

    The above is a generalisation, I've heard a few powerful and exceptionally clear push-pull amps, but unfortunately they are more an exception than a rule... and practically none of them have the sheer grunt of a big arsed digital/solid state amp..


    ..choices choices....
     
    bottleneck, Dec 14, 2007
    #13
  14. nando

    Dev Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,764
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Ilford, Essex, UK
    Insensitive? I'd have thought the opposite was the pre-requisite.
     
    Dev, Dec 14, 2007
    #14
  15. nando

    rollo

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    339
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    N.Y. U.S.A.
    IMHO its the type of music you listen to that should decide your amp choice as well as the speakers you use. . Head bangers, techno, rap listeners would do better with S/S. For acoustic based lintening its tubes every time.
    There is no one amp type for all listening preferences. Keeping that in mind there are probably some exceptions but havn't heard one yet. Any suggestions?


    rollo
     
    rollo, Dec 14, 2007
    #15
  16. nando

    brca Rookie

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Belgrade
    First of all, solid state amps are the thing, at least for me.
    The reason ? I think that SS produce much more natural sound than the tubes. I admit, tubes sound is beautiful, soft, relaxing, but all together, it just has to much makeup.

    Rollo, in your search, you should try Audio Analogue, tied up with, for example, Sonus Faber speakers and I am convinced, that you will find this combination, just perfect for all kinds of music.
     
    brca, Dec 14, 2007
    #16
  17. nando

    bottleneck talks a load of rubbish

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    6,766
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    bucks

    I figure no-one reads my ramblings, so I can write anything ;)

    :D
     
    bottleneck, Dec 14, 2007
    #17
  18. nando

    Paul Ranson

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2003
    Messages:
    1,602
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    An octopus's garden.
    I think you're wrong. If only because tympani and tecno, harpsichords and 'slightly distorted guitar', saxophone and synth really don't discriminate.

    If you're not careful you end up with a system that only plays noodley jazz, nice for 30 seconds but completely pointless.

    Paul
     
    Paul Ranson, Dec 14, 2007
    #18
  19. nando

    speedy.steve

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2005
    Messages:
    525
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Surrey/Hants/Berkshire borders
    "I admit, tubes sound is beautiful, soft, relaxing, but all together, it just has to much makeup."

    Hmm, Depends how they are wired or perhaps or which tubes.
    I don't find mine is too soft, relaxing or hard or edgy for that matter. Take your breath away at times yes, clear and musical all the time.
     
    speedy.steve, Dec 14, 2007
    #19
  20. nando

    julian2002 Muper Soderator

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,094
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Bedfordshire
    i've settled on hybrids - 90% of the reliabillity and power of solid state with some of the romance of valves - along with the rosy glow (augmented by some led's on my vinnys - selectable brightness of course)
     
    julian2002, Dec 14, 2007
    #20
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.