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Our we Lazy?

I want to start this thread by clearly stating that the purpose of this question was not to fight or rehash the battle of tube vs. solidstate as one being ultimately superior or better than the other one.I hope that besides personnal taste and the different "flavors" listeners enjoy, along with system matching, there is agreement that in the last ten to fifteen years that reference tube and solidstate amps sound very much alike and more like real music. The days of euphonic warm or detailed but harsh-bright sonic signatures are gone when it comes to world class amps.When my audiofile friends and I discuss power amps we always come back to these questions;1}With the finest solidstate amps[Pass Labs,Rowland,Ayre,Edge,etc.]sounding so terrific, why put up with the hassle of re-tubing,getting the right tubes NOS etc.,and the expense of re-tubing on a on going basis?I guess one man's "tube rolling" for pleasure is another man's pain in the butt.2}The sound of a tube amp changes over time as the tubes age, why put up with this hassle when it can be avoided? We like the fact that a solidstate amp will preform at its optimial level everytime we listen to our systems. Please you all, these questions are sincere and not an attack on tube amps or their owners.As stated already the goal was not to fight over something that is obvious ,world class amps are world class amps regardless if there tube or solidstate! We have listened to wonderful sounding tube amps[VTL,LAMM,ARC,CJ,etc.]and thought they were great, however they offered no special virtues that would lead us to put up with what we regard as "hassles" compared with solidstate amps. We would love to hear from our fellow GON members regarding this topic and what has been your experience regarding this topic.Let's not fight but have FUN sharing our opinions and viewpionts on this topic. Remember we might just be "Lazy" audiofiles who rationalize our own position on this matter!
teajay
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
My position is strictly SS.
Solid state amp.
I have a Forte' 4a that I bought new and leave on all the time.
It has been basically turned on for over a dozen years, non-stop.
It actually uses a bit less electricity into my recent Maggie IIb ($200) wonders, than it did running the Infinity RSIIa I sold for parts. (the Infinity still worked, I just made a LOT more money selling the parts)
I like the SS amp I have, and only would at least $100,000,000.00 won in the lotto get me to fork out the cash for a tube amp.
I would try another hybred preamp if I needed one, and one was just right for me, but never a tube amp...
I have NOTHING against a tube amp, other than tube replacement hassles, and servicing.
(And yadda yadda yadda, all you tube-o-philes stop yammering at me about how I am wrong...)
bigkidz
1,784 posts
 
I still have not heard a SS amp do what a tube amp can do in my system. I am not saying that the SS or tube amp was better then the other, just different. Yes there are a few of each that may come close to each other, but overall when I am listening to a stand up bass, snare drum, piano and vocals, I do prefer a tube amp but rock & roll is another story, etc. So the solution is to have system options i guess or you like with compromises. That's my $3.5 cents.

Happy Listening.
rives
953 posts
 
I like both. My reference system is based on solid state, Levinson Ref 20.0 bi-amped with Krell KMA 160 on the bottom. You can see the reference system here.

My office system consists of VAC auricle monoblocks a passive pre-amp, and Talon Hawks. I haven't posted this system yet, but probably should. I have a minor balanced wiring issue that prevents me from doing this easily at the moment.

I have not yet experimented with the VACs on the ML panels--could be fun though.

Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. The Talon Hawks, while they can go pretty low (30 Hz flat), they are small drivers and just don't move that much air. They aren't the easiest load, but far easier than an ML panel. The VACs work extremely well with these speakers. I think that's part of the issue--system synergy. The reference system is very dynamic (modified bass section). Moves plenty of air and has a huge soundstage. The solid state controls both top and bottom extremely well with a difficult load particularly on the panels.

That being said, I think system synergy (already said), coupled with what you listen to and how you listen will often determine what equipment works best for you. If you want rock music really loud, well most planar speakers are just not going to do it--a horn would be more appropriate and with a high efficiency horn you can drive easily with a moderate tube amp. Now if small jazz ensembles are your thing at moderate volumes, then you would likely steer toward different equipment.

I'm curious how many people out there that own multiple systems have at least one tube based and one solid state like myself.
amandarae
512 posts
 
SS and PWM amp for me also. Just a personal preference that's all. I currently own ICE H2O S-250 and Threshold Stasis S500. But I also have a 300B amp and a modded Dynaco St70.
superhonestben
171 posts
 
I was never a tube guy...until I listened.

I find it depends on the brand, in terms of sound and reliability etc....I don't tube roll, I just listen to what the amp or peamp has got say on its own.

I also own solid state and enjoy both mediums very much.

Sometimes I am in a tube mood, others SS.

I have had no problems with reliability with my tube gear
(Mcintosh,VTL,radii)

I have had no problems with my SS gear..(Mcintosh,Linn,Naim)

I use both horn speakers and dynamic ones

I find I listen to my different systems somewhat equally.

So I am saying, I enjoy both, but clearly a good tube amp is heaps o fun.
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