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For anyone who moved from tubes to solid state — a question

I'm the happy owner of a fairly new tube preamp and monoblock amps. I love it and have bought new tubes. To have another option for warmer weather or possibly a second listening room, I got a very good solid state integrated. I've run the tube preamp with the solid state amp and it sounds quite nice. I love all tubes, too.

But this question is for you. Please forget the convenience factor for a moment, including the issue of tube replacement etc. Also, forget about those cases where you bought new speakers and needed more power, etc.

Assuming you had quality tube gear with sufficient power — here's the question if you abandoned tubes for SONIC reasons:

What what is that tubes couldn't give you?
What did your solid state gear do for you which was so much better that you divorced to marry anew?

I'm curious about what people list as the positive sonic reasons they love solid state (including A, AB, D, etc.).

Thanks.
128x128hilde45

Showing 4 responses by ditusa

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,683 posts
 
I have a pair of Mcintosh mc- 501 ss mono block amps, in my audio rig. I swapped them out for a pair of Mcintosh mc-2301 tube mono blocks. The tube mono blocks made, the ss mono blocks sound like charlie brown, amps (flat and non three dimensional.) I did not here a change in the bass, but lower midrange had more body.
But be for the swap i thought the 501’s had great 3-d imaging. That is my experience with tube/ss amps. The tube amps are less watts. The speakers are jbl 4435 monitors. :-)
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,683 posts
 
@ hilde45, You answered your question, in the last post. To many factor are responsible for a sonic difference to be pin down to one thing.  Change ss amp to tube amp, tube amp sounds better? Is it the tube, that sounds better or the tube circuit. Tube circuits are different then (ss) circuits. I have tube amps and SS amps for that reason. To many variables. And atmasphere is right about (DF.) :-)
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,683 posts
 
@ hilde45, I do think that peoples experience and comparison are relevant. What i said is i do not know the answer to your question. That is why i said i have tube and SS amps. If i say my tube amp sounds better, that is my opinion. Base on my comparison between tube amp and ss amp. Its not right or wrong it is my experience. I thought you were looking for a (fact) not opinion. That is why i said to many variables. My experience is my tube amp has better 3-d sound then my (ss) amp. I use the circuit analogy for the sake, of argument. Sorry for the confusion. :-)
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,683 posts
 
@ three_easy_payments, I could not have said it BETTER. :-)
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