2. amps-preamps
  3. 1334720746

Tubes vs Solid State

I have have been listening to music all my life but have only recently started experimenting with different amplifier and/or speakers/component combinations. I have recently moved from Parasound JC 1's to Classe Cam 400 monoblocks which I have both loved (maybe the prior a bit more) and are contemplating another move. I have been very intrigued by tube monoblocks and have the opportunity now to move to ARC ref 600's. I can also get Mark Levinson 33's for about the same cost. I am just uncertain about the Ref 600's as I am worried that I might be disappointed in the tube sound.

Can someone with more experience perhaps help me out here ? I am using the amps as part of a home-theatre setup driving 802 d's and other 800 diamond fronts and rears. I would really appreciate some good advice here.
128x128gfdt
sgunther
171 posts
 
I use the Rogue M180's with KT 120 tubes to drive Martin Logan Summits (which present a very difficult load to amp) with very good effect. You can retube yourself as there is a built in bias meter.
rleff
1,065 posts
 
I would pay close attention to ralph's (atmasphere) response as it is probally going to be one of the best ones you will receive.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
I`m a person who generally prefers tube power amplifiers but it all depends on the speaker being driven. I agree with Atmasphere,Unsound and others in this situation.Your speaker design seems to demand SS amps given it`s difficult load characteristics.
sndsrtaud's avatar
sndsrtaud
38 posts
 
I’ve been there and for many years (about 15) I listened exclusively to tubes. 6550, 5881, 300B, EL-84. IT was fun...kind of. There was always the issues of re-tubing and finding decent tubes. It got to the point where I just wanted to listen to music and not live in angst worrying about how the tubes were doing.

I agree with Elizabeth that going to a tube pre-amp is pretty painless, but amplifiers are whole different story especially in the power range you’re looking at.

I’ll also echo Ralph’s advice. There’s a reason B&W was marketed with Krell gear.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
Why are so many speakers built with woofer arrays/types that are 4 ohm or less? Is it that hard to make speakers with high low end impedances? That said, I own JM Focal that have less than 4 Ohm minimum impedance and drive them with 78 wpc Tube Monoblocks and yes they sound great. I wonder though if they would sound even better if they had higher minimum impedances.
More to discover