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What do you see as the downside of tubes?

I have decided on getting a tube amp and it will be the integrated Mastersound 300B driving a pair of Living Voice Avatars, so at least that decision has been taken.

My main question is what you see as downsides of having a tube amp. As I've decided on getting an integrated tube it's really about what the downsides are I might want to know about beforehand.

The ones I'm aware are the following.

-The tubes need to be replaced and in the case of a 300B this will be somewhat costly.

-Bias is another issue but I'm not sure how big an issue. Do you plug in your meter every so often or just when you roll tubes or replace a dead one? The meter as such isn't gonna be a big issue as I don't think it's that expensive.

-Heat won't be a big issue as we have no kids nor a nosy dog that could get burned. Hope my electricity bill isn't gonna go through the roof, but then again, I can't quite imagine that.

I'd appreciate if you could add whatever your experiences are regarding this question are as I'd like to know more before I buy it.

Thanks
krauti
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
I have been in and out from pretty serious SS gear to tubed designs and viceversa for the last 30 years, I learned to live with the mentioned tube disadvantages on behalf of the musicality and engagement they produce.

It happens to be that I got rid of SS amps at a faster rate than for tubed amps along the road.
polk432
1,116 posts
 
Why not just put aside a few bucks eack week and get new tubes every 12-18 months? It's really not that much each week.
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
Polk - Good idea - but sometimes that saving flow shoud be a bit larger than a few bucks, I bought NOS Genelec KT88 at a thousand dollars the pack of 4 !!!!

Again... To me it worths every penny (and pain) the tube route.

Fernando
rodman99999
3,557 posts
 
Exactly Fernando- I don't see ANY downside to tubes AT ALL. Your perspective will be based on your love for the sound of music.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
2,267 posts
 
For me it has mostly been about clarity or transparency. I want to sense that there is nothing between me and the players. Anything that dulls, rounds off or clouds the soundstage is unacceptable! Most tube based components get in the way, despite whatever plus they may offer.
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