Tube Amps Over Solid State...?
- Thread starter nando
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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.
RobHolt
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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
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
Markus S
Trade
Amps blameless but boring?
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
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
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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.
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.
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.
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
lbr
monkey boy
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
bottleneck
talks a load of rubbish
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....
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....
Insensitive? I'd have thought the opposite was the pre-requisite.
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
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
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.
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.
bottleneck
talks a load of rubbish
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
"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.
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.
julian2002
Muper Soderator
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)