2. amps-preamps
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solid state vs tubes

has anyone compared a tube amp to a solid state amp and discovered that the diffference sonically between them was undetectable. ? if so what was the tube amp and what was the solid state amp ?

the reason for the question is the basic issue of the ability to distinguish a tube amp from a solid state amp.

this is especially interesting if the components were in production during the 90's , 80's or 70's.

if the components are in current production the probability of such aan occurrence might increasea.

why own a tube amp if there exists a solid state amp that sounds indistinguishable from it ?
mrtennis
tvad
9,467 posts
 

10-14-10: Mapman
Can anybody tell me a pair of speakers that sounds the same well with either tube or SS amplification?
I know that some Silverline Sonata III owners drive them with tubes, and other owners drive them with solid state. For me, tube amps never got it right, but others disagree.

I *think* Wilson owners are divided among tube and solid state.

Having said that, I doubt anyone will say the speakers sound the same driven with tubes or SS.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Harbeth seems to be as fasinable with SS as tubes, whereas my speakers are proabably 98% tube users.
mrtennis OP
3,295 posts
 
mapman:

i heard avalon ascent and eclipse sound quite good with rowland and audio research ss amps. i've also heard them sound great with tubes.

in my opinion, the issue of ss vs tubes is more critical when the speaker is an electrostatic, ribbon, or planar magnetic.

i have heard vandersteen 2s sound "good" with ss and tube amps.

there are probably other acoustic suspension designs that can perform well with amps of either type.

i have not heard a panel sound as well with a ss amp as with a good tube amp.

i am trying to go cheap and am considering the khartago (odyssey) and vincent hybrid 331. i would like to audition them before buying, if possible.

since both are under $1000, i might take a chance.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
MrT.,

yes, no doubt either might sound good with any good speaker design, not just electrostatic.

What I was wondering was do two different amps, much less a SS and a tube amp, ever sound the same. They can sound different and both good in different ways. That's different than sounding "the same".

If any two amps sound the same, then I suspect in most cases the speakers may be the limiting factors. I would expect most high end speakers to not sound the same with two different good amps, even if both were tube or SS, but even more so if one is tube and one is SS.

Unless of course Bob carver or equivalent designed the two to sound the same up front.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
So to sum up, bottom line to me is that it is possible to get two amps to sound the same or at least so close the differences are negligible, but this is not likely to be the case in practice, especially if one amp uses tubes and the other transistors.
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