Hybrid vs. Straight Tubes

...so I'm not really sure what the point of that statement is.
Plato (Threads | Answers)

The point of the statement was to offer another perspective on Newbee's comment, wherein he wrote, "I think the real 'sound' of tubes is found in the amp output not in a couple of tube drivers in front of a SS output."

I found with the Moscode 401HR hybrid amplifier that changing the driver and input tubes made a difference, which some listeners might consider being close to "the real sound of tubes", as Newbee put it. In fact, I heard more significant changes when rolling the Moscode's driver and input tubes than I have when changing driver or input tubes in a premium 100% tube amp I have owned (VAC Phi 110/110). IMO, the VAC was fairly impervious to tube rolling, which I always considered a sign of design excellence.

There are many ways to approach amplification. Each topology has its winners and losers. There is no definitive winner that will satisfy every listener and every system, no matter how emphatically the case is made.

I hope that helps makes my point clearer.

I've heard the Jolida hybrid amps and have not been impressed. That said, I guess I haven't been overly impressed with the Jolida 302b I had years ago. Overall, I'd probably go for a tube integrated, perhaps something other than Jolida.

Given the choice of a tube or hybrid integrated amp, I'd agree with Peter_s and recommend trying a tube integrated amp. Your speakers are sufficiently sensitive to be driven by a 40 wpc tube amp, provided the room is small to medium size.

You might look at a used PrimaLuna Prologue 2 or Rogue Cronus and see what you think. However, neither of these amps is going to be particularly colored. They are going to sound more neutral than otherwise. I have owned a Rogue Cronus, and I have heard he PrimaLuna at CES.

If you buy used, you resell it without taking a big depreciation hit.

First and foremost, thank you all for the feedback.

I am currently using a Marantz integrated amp with 40w RMS and I have no real complaints about power.

However, in response to Tvad's comment "provided the room is small to medium", I live in an open concept condo, the room were my system is installed is 24' x 24' with 12' ceilings. My listening area takes up about a 1/4 of the space (A photo can be seen on my virtual system). Could this be considered medium?

As mentioned above I don't have in issue per se with the power of my current set up but I was under the impression that to get the most out of your speakers it is preferable to drive them and the top end of power range (120W for RS6).

I have been looking at the Prima-Luna & Rogue amps. But I recently had an opportunity to purchase a Jolida 1501RC for a very good price. I think I'll forgoe the offer and wait to find the recommended amps at a good price. I am also considering the Mystere amps, designed by the same people as Prima-Luna.

One last point regarding the Jolida. When I auditoned my speakers, I tried them with a Jolida 302b in addition to the Marantz PM8003 (70W RMS). The tube amp sounded much better. But I did not have any other tube amps to compare it to.

Thanks again.

07-26-09: Nick_sr
I live in an open concept condo, the room were my system is installed is 24' x 24' with 12'ceilings.

IMO, that's a medium size room, although because of the 12' ceiling, it's a pretty large volume to fill. I'm a little surprised that you find the 40wpc Marantz sufficient, but it's a good sign if you do.

I was under the impression that to get the most out of your speakers it is preferable to drive them and the top end of power range (120W for RS6).

64 wpc would produce 109db peaks on your speakers. Do you listen this loudly? It might be worthwhile for you to purchase a Radio Shack decibel meter and measure your peak listening volume (and your average listening volume).