2. amps-preamps
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Is there such a thing as tube sound in a ss?

I have Martin Logan Aerius i speakers, Classe Cp35 pre, Classe CA100 amp and Meridian 588 CD. I am auditioning an ARC LS17 and the ARC VS110. I love the deep and tight bass the VS110 gives me but it does not have the clarity i love from the MLs. I hooked up my Classe amp to the LS17 pre and the clarity is there but the bass is loose and undefined. Is there an SS amp that will give me that nice deep tight, defined bass the VS110 gave me but along with the clarity?
alremc
thedautch
329 posts
 
IMHO, my Simaudio i7 integrated brings some tubeness to the table. It's got a touch of that warmth but with the control of solid state.

/ducks, buys bulletproof body armor
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Almrec,
I would take the two gentlemen posting above seriously. In my opinion they know exactly what they are talking about and have saved me a lot of words to respond (:
Happy hunting for the sound you wish for,
Detlof
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Some say that certain "digital" amps have a tube-like sound. With a digital amp the characteristics of the amplification devices, be they tubes or transistors, are out of the picture, and the sound will depend on the amplification algorithm. This makes it possible to create sound to order.
mcondon
223 posts
 
I don't know what advertising genius ever got the words "digital amp" and "tube-like" in the same sentence. My experience is that digital amps have a unique sound, but are not at all tube-like. My Wyred 4 Sound certainly does not sound as good as (for example) the McIntosh tube amps I have demo'd. That said, the Wyred 4 Sound costs a lot less to purchase and maintain and never threatens to blow up when it is turned on.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi alremc:

i have auditioned many solid state amps and have visited ces many times.

i have never heard a tube sound from a solid state amp.

however, it is helpful to define "tube sound", as definitions may differ among serious listeners.
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