Tubes vs. Solid State Amps
- Thread starter Audire
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I like the Zesto recommendation, I almost went with them but was advised the SS Gato(s) was better suited for my listening habits.
FWIW, The best sound I got out of my Magico Q3s was with the Lamm LL1 and Lamm M1.1 combination. Considerably better than the Pass XP 32 and XA160.5. My two musician friends wholeheartedly agreed. Just another opinion to throw out there. Stock power cords and basic wires.
Peter thanks. How hot did they run?
I have the Pass x260.8s at present. It’s comfortable. I know the Pass 600.8s would be too hot.
Perhaps a hybrid like the Robert Koda K70 then? Do you mean you just have music on all the time essentially as background music? Surely you are not listening in a serious way for 12 hours a day...are you??
The tube preamp is hotter but the amplifiers aren’t quite as hot as the Pass. I don’t have a lot of experience with tube amplifiers but if you think you’re going in that direction, heat might be a consideration.
Background mostly, but I do listen seriously app 2-3 hours per day. It’s nice and warmed up that way.
If you play 10 hours each day, you shall audition Merril Audio D class monoblock which sounds very nice with big Genesis at Pacific Audiofest.
If you play 10 hours each day, you shall audition Merril Audio D class monoblock which sounds very nice with big Genesis at Pacific Audiofest.
Thanks, I’ll check them out, but Class D, I’m not so sure about.
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Given your choice to remain in SS territory with the Pass, the probable tube choices in your case would have been Octave or CAT. This conclusion is of course anecdotal, based on my own past experience with tubes.
(I also ended up using SS, but I began my journey in hi(er)-end audio with tubes back in the mid-80s with Jadis. In fact I had what was probably one of their first products, purchased from an acquaintance of P Calmettes (sp?). I then moved on to Klimo monos, CAT stereo and, finally, Octave monos. I had the big AR monos for a while, but the sound failed to move me...
I still remember the explosive dynamics of the best tubes as well as the fear of tube failure (not that I suffered any!). I found the sudden explosive dynamics quality in the Symphonic Line Kraft without the maintenance requirements of tubes.)
(I also ended up using SS, but I began my journey in hi(er)-end audio with tubes back in the mid-80s with Jadis. In fact I had what was probably one of their first products, purchased from an acquaintance of P Calmettes (sp?). I then moved on to Klimo monos, CAT stereo and, finally, Octave monos. I had the big AR monos for a while, but the sound failed to move me...
I still remember the explosive dynamics of the best tubes as well as the fear of tube failure (not that I suffered any!). I found the sudden explosive dynamics quality in the Symphonic Line Kraft without the maintenance requirements of tubes.)
Tube amps don't need to be left on all day to sound good...usually about 30-45 minutes to reach peak sound. But most would not be recommended to leave on all the time...especially not as hot as my SETs get! Again, consider a hybrid as there are some very good ones out there (not as good as a top SET, IMO, but good).
Interesting. I have never heard mono amps that could match my stereo Boulder 3060 on sound stage.
Thanks. Though Boulders (the ones I’ve heard) are too analytical for me personally, I think the Boulder 3050s monos would … but I haven't heard them so it’s hard to say for sure. Maybe one day I will hear them. In addition, I’m also speaking about a particular price range … I’m not even spending $115,000 on a set of mono amps, much less a stereo amp.
Merril Audio is not ordinary Joe.
I was surprised at the sound.
To me Genesis driven by Merril Aidio gave the most exciting sound at Pacific Audiofest.
I really liked those a lot. They are excellent IMO. Everyone should try a set! As Steve said they are giant slayers. After that I tried the Vitus. And before these many other SS Amps.
Now I’m just covering all my bases. So, I’m trying to learn a little about tubes. However, as a friend informed me, since I play my main system so many hours a day tubes for my main system aren't really a good idea. He suggested SS of some kind.
This said, I’m going to put a second system later into a spare room or replace the one I have in the great room when I move to the dedicated room - a while away still. I figure a set of tube amps and some Vivid Ovals may be interesting along with a small TT, like a SME Synergy. Of course that’s all subject to change. …
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my sonic reference is a tube amp, the original Tenor 75 watt OTL mono blocks. loved those amps, but.....back in 2001-2003 when i fell in love with them, they tended to grenade on a regular basis and take out the ceramic mid range drivers on my Kharma Exquisite 1D speakers. i loved the Tenor's since they had the linearity, low noise and bass agility of a solid state amp, but the mid range sparkle and breath of life of tubes.
so what to do?
i came upon the first generation darTZeel 108 stereo amp in 2004. it was the inverse of the Tenors; it had the the breath of life and mid range sparkle of tube amps, and all the linearity of solid state, as well as a tube like liquidity and extended smooth highs i had not previously heard from any amp. now 18 years later the darTZeel is still unique as an amp that does not sound like tubes or solid state, it sounds like music. YMMV
new or used, the 108 stereo, or big 468/458 mono blocks, they are still my reference. 4 years ago i brought in 2 sets of uber tube amps (Lamm ML3's and VAC Statement 450's) and spent 4 months comparing them to my darts. preferred my darts.
so why have to decide between tubes and solid state? you can have both.
so what to do?
i came upon the first generation darTZeel 108 stereo amp in 2004. it was the inverse of the Tenors; it had the the breath of life and mid range sparkle of tube amps, and all the linearity of solid state, as well as a tube like liquidity and extended smooth highs i had not previously heard from any amp. now 18 years later the darTZeel is still unique as an amp that does not sound like tubes or solid state, it sounds like music. YMMV
new or used, the 108 stereo, or big 468/458 mono blocks, they are still my reference. 4 years ago i brought in 2 sets of uber tube amps (Lamm ML3's and VAC Statement 450's) and spent 4 months comparing them to my darts. preferred my darts.
so why have to decide between tubes and solid state? you can have both.
Very interesting. I’ll begin researching them. They wouldn’t work in the great room - color not WAF. But they may work in my dedicated room.
No experience with the Magico's in my listening room (yet, I would love to listen to the Q7mkII ...
) but at such price the best overall amplifier I hosted is the VTL Siegfried II. Playing with the triode/pentode modes and the feedback levels we get eight different amplifiers. A real bargain at current used prices.A few days ago I listened to the new D'Agostino's 400 MCX driven by the Koda K15ex - extremely transparent, the power of great SS with impressive voices.
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