2. amps-preamps
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Choice of tube amp?

I`ve auditioned some tube poweramps lately, the Rogue Zeus and the VTL S-400. This has left me contemplating a change from SS to tube power amplification.
My system consists of: APL Hifi NWO-2 cd/tube preamp, Pass Labs X350.5 and Martin Logan Summit. The APL and Summits are here to stay :) The Pass is up for discussion :) The Pass, in my setup, is a little dry sounding and doesn`t involve me as much as I know the APL and Summits are capable of. I`ve researched a little more than Rogue and VTL. I`ve been talking to VAC, Audio Valve, Wolcott, CJ and Cary. Any suggestions? And how they will compare to the Pass in my setup? If you feel my question is dumb or that you need more information, just tell me :)
mibviking
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Strongly agree on the Jadis "sound". Slow, sluggish, with a rolled off top end. These characteristics are particularly noticeable in the Orchestra Reference integrated amp, perhaps Jadis' worst effort.
newbee
4,093 posts
 
Audiofeil, Thats why they have tone controls - so you can turn them up to max and get a normal top end. :-)
chrisla's avatar
chrisla
116 posts
 
For what its worth, I demoed S-400 and I think it is the best amp personally I have heard. Haven't heard it with stats. To me, it has almost as much bass control as Halcro monoblocks, I compared it directly to Burmester 911 and it was much more involving, although maybe slightly less detailed. If you take the best of ss and the best of tubes, it is best compromise you can make in my opinion.

Cheers!
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