high power tube amps vs ss

Csontos, I think that I might understand where some of the tube skepticism among the solid state crowd comes from. Quite often, tubes are used in applications that are less than ideal. I hear them all the time. That’s not to say that a mistake was made. A person has the right to consider only the elements of music that are important to him, and choose a tube amplifier/speaker combination accordingly. But while this person is satisfied with his tube application, others of us might listen to his system and hear musical compromises that we wouldn’t make for ourselves. What Atmasphere, Almarg and others are trying to tell you, is that many of the shortcomings that you perceive to be inherent to tubes, are more likely to be common application flaws.

Dammit! Al, I would love to spend an evening with you listening and drinking. Here's my question Al. I have never tried tube amps and I am fearful that I would miss some SLAM and Impact of the presentation. Does your system belt it out pretty loud and non fatiguing? OR does it seem to be very detailed and airy, but when you turn it up loud, can you listen for long periods? (I guess loud would be above the 35w range)I would love to hear some good tube amps with a different speaker that works well with tubes. There are no stores I can visit nearby. My Dynaudio Contour 3.0s are really great.But they are 86-87db and require a lot of power to open up. My MC352 can drive them over 350w easily and the speakers are rated at 200w. I was thinking of switching to a pair of 70w monoblock tube amps. but I really dont think my dynaudios would like that. of course I have nothing to support this really.what do you think AL. Am I missing out on goosebump city,or is my hybrid system the best I can hope for with these speakers.

Hi Matt,

I have no experience with Dynaudio speakers, but my instinct would be to proceed with caution before going to tube amplification with them. In addition to the comments by Ralph and Mapman just above, I would emphasize that high quality high powered tube amplification tends to be quite expensive. And you clearly need lots of watts.

Based on the impedance curve of your speakers, shown in Stereophile's review here, I would consider their 86 db/2.83V/1m sensitivity to be roughly equivalent to 84 db/1Watt/1m. At typical listening distances (say 10 to 12 feet or so) that would mean that 70 watts into both speakers would produce a maximum SPL of around 96 db or so. While that is adequate for most listeners when listening to highly compressed rock music, I suspect it would be very disappointing with a lot of material having wide dynamic range (i.e., a wide difference in volume between the loudest and the softest notes).

My listening is about 90% classical (including a lot of wide dynamic range symphonic material), 5% rock, and 5% miscellaneous. I've measured some of the classical material I listen to as reaching 105 db at my listening position, which my 98 db/1W/1m speakers and 70W amp handle comfortably.

Although I haven't heard them, if you do want to consider tube amplification you may want to look into the higher powered models from Rogue Audio. Some of them provide close to 200 watts, at relatively reasonable prices, and seem to receive generally favorable user comments.

Best regards,
-- Al

"Does your system belt it out pretty loud and non fatiguing? OR does it seem to be very detailed and airy, but when you turn it up loud, can you listen for long periods?”

Matt, I haven’t heard Al’s Ulysses but I’ve heard the model just under them - the Argos; so I’m very confident that Al’s system would knock your socks off. But additionally, if you ever have the chance to hear a pair of Volti Vittora speakers, I would highly recommend that you take the opportunity; just to finally put to rest, any reservations you might have left, of what a few tube Watts can accomplish with the right speaker.

Al,
Wow, you really listen at very high SPLs.A few days ago a friend and I visited a local jazz club and his phone has an application for SPL measurements. Average volume was roughly 87-92 with drum kit peaks 100-105 (we were very close to the stage) but it was loud (unamplified that night, thakfully).I'd fear for my hearing with those levels at home on a regular basis. Most of my jazz CDs have a range of 25-35 db, but my average listening level is likely noticeably less than yours. I'm very familiar with your VAC REN 70/70 amplifier and it is a classic in my opinion (so is the 30/30 version).There's just something unique and special musically with DHT output tubes, in both SET and push pull mode.
Regards,