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What are your thoughts on hybrid amplifiers?

I have recently set up a completely vacuum tube system and it sounds, well, gorgeous. I was looking at the Pathos Classic One Hybrid amplifier which uses vacuum tubes in the preamp portion, and solid state amplification.
So, to the "tube people" out there, can a hybrid amp preserve the warmth and sound that many of us still think is a function of vacuum tubes, or is it "lost" when the amplification output is solid state?
rsasso
bigkidz
1,784 posts
 
Depends on the design. I own the Counterpoint SA-220 modified and have heard the Butler hybrid amp. Both amps are warmer sounding then SS amps that I have heard but were not as warm and 3D as some tube amps I have heard - kind of right between SS and all tubes. You need to try out amps that mate well with your speakers to tell what you prefer in your own system as everyone has different musical tastes.

Happy Listening.
aball
1,994 posts
 
I own both tube and hybrid amps. I like both a lot and feel that solid state amps have to have tubes somewhere in the chain. Hybrids vary a lot between models. My hybrid Koras sound like solid state in the sense that they are very accurate, precise, fast, and have tight bass. My tube amp is not like that unless it is running efficient speakers (like the top half of my JM Labs). However the advantage of a hybrid over a typical SS amp is the coherence and emotion. Many of the SS amps I've had didn't pull off the emotional aspect as well. But it all depends.
pauly
456 posts
 
A hybrid amp is a very good idea if you enjoy tube sound, but have speakers that are not tube friendly. It falls very much in line with folks that use a vacuum tube pre amp and solid-state power amp.

If you do have tube friendly speakers and you enjoy tubes, then it would not be a worthwhile switch.

Regards
Paul
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