1. Home
  2. tech-talk
  3. 1228594518

Into 2009; What rules?? Tubes or Solid State

I know that this question has had endless debate over the years and that there is also alot of 'Hybrid Equipment' which makes it hard to neatly categorize. Also, at what price points are we talking about?

But those things aside, if you had to make the choice starting from scratch in 2009, which way would you go?? Tubes or Solid State??
brauser
abucktwoeighty's avatar
abucktwoeighty
1,034 posts
 
Both rule. Depends on many variables. If I had to start over in '09, I'd go with something for a few hundred bucks. I've decided I'm done spending alot of money for a little improvement. When one of the units fails, I believe I'll start in that direction.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Speakers rule.
classical1
168 posts
 
Since I first tried a tube preamp, I'd always been "afraid" to try a tube amp because of heat and problems I read about with tube amps.

A few weeks ago I got a new tube amp and wish I'd done it earlier. I went with one (BAT), that I'm hoping is pretty much 'plug and play', as there is no biasing to do.

If anyone was like me, you owe it to yourself to try a tube amp. This is a whole new world and I guess time will tell if there are any maintenance issues.

I live in a hot summer climate and think I might switch things out to a SS integrated for those months.. but regarding your question, if starting from scratch, I'd go tubes.
learsfool
1,206 posts
 
I would certainly vote for tubes - better imaging, more accurate instrumental timbres, better realization of the sound of the human voice, to name just three good reasons.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I have owned tubed amplification and preamplification from VAC (Phi series
and Musicbloc series), Atma-Sphere, Lamm Industries (preamps only).

I have owned solid state amplification from Pass Labs, McCormack, Belles
Reference, Bryston and Odyssey.

I have owned hybrid amplification from Moscode.

The Pass Labs, Atma-Sphere, VAC Phi and Moscode amplification are all on
a pretty even plane regarding imaging, accuracy of timbre and every other
audiophile attribute provided they are driving properly matched loudspeakers.
One's choice between them is up to one's personal preferences.

The Belles, VAC MusicBloc series and McCormack are one-half level down,
and the Bryston and Odyssey are a full level down. IMO.

Having said that, if I were to start over, I'd choose high sensitivity, high
impedance/flat-impedance-curve loudspeakers, and I'd drive them with
tubes...probably an Atma-Sphere or Lamm product, but I would also consider
several other smaller tube amp manufacturers along with a Pass Labs XA-
30.5 solid state amp. 'Cause nothing does everything perfectly.
More to discover