2. amps-preamps
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Tubes vs Solid State

I have have been listening to music all my life but have only recently started experimenting with different amplifier and/or speakers/component combinations. I have recently moved from Parasound JC 1's to Classe Cam 400 monoblocks which I have both loved (maybe the prior a bit more) and are contemplating another move. I have been very intrigued by tube monoblocks and have the opportunity now to move to ARC ref 600's. I can also get Mark Levinson 33's for about the same cost. I am just uncertain about the Ref 600's as I am worried that I might be disappointed in the tube sound.

Can someone with more experience perhaps help me out here ? I am using the amps as part of a home-theatre setup driving 802 d's and other 800 diamond fronts and rears. I would really appreciate some good advice here.
128x128gfdt

Showing 5 responses by wolf_garcia

wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
Tube amps are more fun. There I said it.
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
Tube amps are more fun, and more fun is better. There, it's settled.
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
Only buy a SS amp if it has VU meters that move...all SS amps should be required to have this, and the fact that they don't is shameful. If you have a tube amp that does not display the tubes, sell it and get one that does. This is really the only way...another idea is to use a SS amp that sounds good (you know.."tube like"), hide it, and place any crappy old tube amp with visable tubes that light up where it can easily be mistaken as the amp driving the speakers, thus having the best of both worlds except for the tube sound, which is also more fun and better for your health, like organic rice.
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
Have you ever been looking at your SS amp and thought, "I wonder what it would sound like if I tried different transistors in there", and then you ran out to buy a set of new transistors, you stick 'em in there, and listen. NO YOU HAVE NOT. Unless you're very handy with your gear...get it? I'm not so sure about the LED lit tubes...there is an ethicial issue with those (I have a little tube headphone amp with a silly red LED) although I'm not sure what that is...but I know it's there. I also set my Squeezebox on VU at night...it gives some life to the proceedings without any harm...kind of like my tube amp.
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
The meters on my Squeezebox tell the input level balance in an obvious visual format, and it might be possible to correlate this to amp output if I cared about that. I do understand there are some who tinker with SS amp innards, but for instant gratification fans tube rolling is hard to beat.
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