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Tube or solid state for Paradigm Studio 100 V2s

Ok I need some advice. I have the Paradigms coming shortly. The first thing that I am going to upgrade is the preamp/amp. I have been leaning towards a hybrid solution such as the Bryston 4B-ST and a tube preamp such a Rogue or Blue Circle. My room size is not super large (15x20 or so) and my music taste is varied. I love classical, opera and even some new age and pop. If I had to weigh having better mids and give up on the tighter bass of solid state amps I would pick the mids. I don't mind the bass being a little fatter or less defined. Can people please comment on using tube amps with these Paradigms. They are relatively efficient so it might be ok with 60-80 watts of tube. I am also curious about the VTL IT 85 as an integrated solution. Maybe I could add a second amp later for biamping these monstors. Thanks to all.....great forum.
brucelk
tentrek
17 posts
 
I have the Paradigms Studio 100 V2. I have not tried them with a tube power amp but with solid state, it takes a good 200 watts to make them sing. I think that your combination of Bryston 4B-ST and the tube preamp should be excellent. The best thing is to try all the combinations and pick what your ears like best. Also it depends on what kind of volume you need to be satisfied. Good luck!

brucelk OP
5 posts
 
Tentrek:
Thanks for the response. What are you using for the amp/preamp in your system? Any comments on the Studio 100 V2s? Just curious.
aram
98 posts
 
I also have Paradigm Studio 100 (first version) and I use them with Yamaha MX-1 and CX-1 combination..the bass must be down to 25 hz and my room is really small..I like Paradigms a lot..I had a chance to listen to KEF 207 today which are sold for 9000 £ (13 500 USA $)..To say the truth Paradigm's had a deeper bass..The KEF sounded more natural though..But for god's sake it was ten times more expensive than my Paradigms!!!!!..lol...
debsal
12 posts
 
I also have the 100 v2's. I started with a Marsh a400s amp (200w/ch) and a Music Fidelity A3CR preamp (both ss). This was a very good clean (if a tiny bit bright) sound. I got a deal on a used BAT VK3i preamp (tube) and tried it. I a-b'ed it with several audio friends and we all agreed that the BAT was better. Next I tried a Plinius 8200P amp (175w/ch, also ss). This was also good but in my opinion not an improvement, so I stayed with the Marsh and BAT. The Plinius and the MF now run my bedroom system with a pair of Paradigm Export Monitors. I have not tried a tube amp, but am lusting after a BAT VK-60 to give it a whirl. I do like the sound of the 100 v2's. Good luck with yours.
mdomnick
331 posts
 
I got the v.1 100s and have used them with a Carver amp, Marantz Mono Blocks, a few different recievers, and have settled down with the Anthem Amp 2 which is a hybrid amp (tube input stage). Of all the amps used, the Anthem is my favorite, followed closely with the Marantz Ma500s (bi-amped). It took a little getting used to going from ss to tube, but I am hooked on this Anthem Amp (SE model has been sold here for roughly $1K...a great deal IMO). In all my experience with the 100s, they DO need some juice to get them moving, no matter what the effeciency reads.

I think you'd love the tube sound with these speakers as tubes are best for mid/highs as is the 100s (especially the v.2). If you do indeed do tubes, trust me and get as much power as you can afford, or go with a hybrid solution which will give the best of both worlds (at least the Anthem gives the best of both IMO). The Paradigms sound like ass when not sufficiently powered.

Good luck with it.

m-
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