2. amps-preamps
  3. 128377-9095

Tube vs Solid State

Folks,

For past few months, I have been trying to achieve best possible sound in my rig. The focus now is clearly on a improving 2 channel sound in what started as a home theater room.  

In past couple of years, I have added N10, Modwright DAC and very recently a LS36.5 linestage . The amps are Modwright KWA150SE. I am running pair of KWA150SE's in bridge mode (450Wx1) for the mighty B&W 800D2's.  While I like the sound as is, still feel something is missing. 

I have been toying with the idea of bi-amping.  One thought is to add mono tube amps to run mid's and high's and let the KWA150SE's handle the LF's. I am pursuing that seductive, slightly warm mid-range and top end that usually comes from tube amplification.  

I don't think there is any tube amp out there by itself capable of powering up bass hungry 800's. I prefer not to use a subwoofer in 2 channel setup. I listen to mostly jazz and classical music and quite sure that 800's are capable of producing adequate bass with proper amplification. 

Any feedback would be appreciated. 

Cheers! 
128x128lalitk
wbs
42 posts
 
I biamp my 801Ns with solid state and tubes and am happy with the results.  The biggest issue was balancing the amps.  My amps don't have gain controls and the SS amps had to be padded down a little as the bass was too strong.  Adding the tubes to the high end really smoothed the sound out with reduced glare.  Pretty much what you mentioned you were hoping for.

Bill
lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
1,105 posts
 
Bill, thanks, that's a good point. The only issue with padding down the gain on SS is a trip to manufacturer for gain adjustment. However, this option is quite appealing considering the added expense of external crossover and extra sets of cables not to mention another component in the chain. 

Greg, right on.  
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
The only issue with padding down the gain on SS is a trip to manufacturer for gain adjustment.
Use a $49 Schiit passive preamp on the amp/s with the most gain, so you can "balanced them".

Cheers George
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
8,673 posts
 
George, while that would be a good suggestion in many applications, if my speculation about the LS36.5's output impedance at low frequencies is correct the 10K input impedance of the Schiit is likely to be a problem.  Also, it only provides unbalanced ins and outs, and balanced connections to whatever amps Lalit ends up with may be preferable.  He is apparently using balanced connections now.

Regards,
-- Al
 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
LS36.5’s output impedance at low frequencies is correct the 10K input impedance of the Schiit is likely to be a problem.
Maybe the Schiit Freya then it has xlr and se in’s and out’s

"LS63.5 Output Impedance: 110ohm"
At 110ohms, even if it were cap coupled, surely it’s still big enough, not to roll of the bass, only 2uf would do to be -3db at 7hz into the Schiit Sys’s 10kohm.


Cheers George
More to discover