Solid State for Rock and Tubes for Jazz, Yes or No

I do like SET amps, and I have compatible speakers and can therefore largely sidestep their biggest tradeoff (lack of power), but that does not mean that I don't appreciate other kinds of amps equally.

The amp that is currently in my system, which I like very much, is a 5 watt pushpull amp. It is a terrific amp for my system. Is it great because of, or in spite of, it being a pushpull amp? I have no idea. It is different in so many other respects from my other favorite amp (parallel single-ended 2a3 amp). In addition to being pushpull, it uses a different combination of tubes (348 and 349), it has transformer inputs (matches my linestage's transformer outputs), etc. It does have a somewhat generic sounding bass response--not as tuneful, and varied as the bass from my SET amp and not as open on top--but it is punchy and very sweet sounding in the midrange. Every choice has some tradeoff.

On top of solid state vs. tube; pushpull vs. OTL vs. SET, there are almost infinite variables of tube choice, parts choice, specific design, implementation, etc. This is both part of the fun, or frustration, depending on how you look at things. If one insists on identifying "the best" in even one category, that would be largely delusional. I just look for what sounds good to me, if there is something out there that I missed, perhaps I will find it later; that is part of the fun.

A few months back I heard a rustling at my front door, when I peered through the window I could see a group of asian fellow's that looked quite serious, to my better judgement I opened the door and let them in. It turned out to be an impromptu visit from some audio club members. One of the lads had purchased a used pair of tube amps and wanted to try them in my system before settling them in at home. Being an open minded audiophile I of coarse told him to beat it. After much banter the amps were hooked up and running. Well Larryi may be right about having compatible speakers, but this miss match of SET amp and speakers had bass to die for. They didn't have the grip of the Levinson amps they replaced and sounded a bit unmoored in direct comparison, but the Cary CAD-805A's had bass that wasn't overbearing yet had extension and a subtle yet wonderful texture and fullness. I guess my point is that even driving my Revel Salons these tiny but not lite amps gave a compelling performance that shall not soon be forgot.

I use a tube amp with a MOSFET REL sub...thus I am conflicted as to what camp I'm in. Where am I, and who are these people? I'm frightened.

Not to say it cannot be done, but I have yet to hear a SET amp do rock/pop well, at least on the usual terms of rock/pop music which is different than much classical, jazz.

At shows, when SETs and high efficiency horns have been featured, the demos are always jazz or classical.

At Capital Audio fest, after hearing some nice sounding Jazz being played, I asked to hear some Rush on vinyl in the Zu room where their larger high efficiency speakers were being demoed on a 5-6 watt tube amp. It sounded nice enough in a polite sort of way, but much lacking on any kind of muscle or drive needed for that kind of music. The ZU guy admitted more power was needed really for that.

So I am thinking it may be possible, but certainly much more of a challenge than other approaches perhaps. I just have not heard it yet, though I am sure I have not "heard it all" yet regarding SETS/hi eff. speakers.

THough no rock music was played, I felt like the Atmasphere/Classic Audio combo at teh same show could have done it nicely, but that was a much more powerful tube amp being used, not a SET.

Both my SET and my pushpull amps can be considered marginal, in terms of power, for my speakers. My SET amp is rated at something like 6.5 watts and the pushpull is 5 watts. I don't have any problems playing rock at fairly high volume.

Where some power issues do show up is with large-scale choral music. I do notice some compression and mild clipping if I try to play something like Rachmaninov's "Vespers" at somewhat high volume.