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2 channel Poll: Vote: Do you use Tubes or SS?

after using tubes for almost 12 years now, 2 of those using hybrids, i am now going to use Solid State amps for the 1st time in my audio life. Reasons? I have too many high maitanence things in my life (job,girlfriend car, not in any particular order) and can't see using 16 output tubes in addition to the 32 I use for source gear. So the question, of the memebers here, chime in, do you use SS or Tubes??

Btw: this isnt a Tubes vs SS is better thread.
128x128justlisten
avideo
218 posts
 
I agree with Fiat8 - McIntosh Solid State all the way.
Just a great smooth, warm sound.
kirk930's avatar
kirk930
283 posts
 
i leave my tubes on 24/7. i have never had any major promlems. ss i could not live with. i have a krell 200s running subs in my theater. it is a great amp but i could not live with it for highs and mids. i find it hard to believe that someone can hear tubes and still think ss sounds better. tubes are more lifelike ,larger, and just more real. with ss depth does not exist. i know you ss guys are thinking this guy is crazy. the tube guys are nodding your heads though. just remember ss guys and gals i was a huge ss guy until i heard tubes.it was a crushing and eye opening experience for me. i could not stand the fact that my class a millon watt krell had been beat by that little 70 watt piece of junk with light bulbs sticking out of it.
avideo
218 posts
 
I agree with Fiat8 - McIntosh Solid State all the way.
Just a great smooth, warm sound.
rosstaman
455 posts
 
Best of both worlds. ARC Ref.2 tube preamp and Plinius SA250 MKIV amp.
justlisten's avatar
justlisten OP
489 posts
 
I guess I should explain how i got to this point. Started with Hybrids, got curious and got a ARC d70Mk2, then a CJ Mv50, nice, but I got power hungry. went to bigger tube amps, ARC m100s....went crazy and went OTL, Counterpoint OTL nonetheless, speaker change...back to tubes, as time went on, found the glories of a huge powerful tube amp, SF Power 3s, 16 output tubes, wanted to go further, Fourier OTLs, 16 output tubes, high maitenance, glorious sound. So, sure, I can go with a lower power 4 tube amp, but it would be hard to do so after pushing the limits and hearing what a powerfull tube amp can do. Who knows, after going transistor, I may be back.........
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