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Have you moved from tubed amplification to solid state amplification... Why?

I'd like feedback from those who have moved from primarily using Tubed pre and power amplification to Solid State pre and power amplification in their systems. 

Feel free to share what you found relevant to your experience. The questions below are only meant as a starting point, and reflect what I'm curious about.

- What was the initial motivation or driver that made you consider the move?

- Once you made your choice, what were your specific reasons for doing so?

- How happy and satisfied have you been with this move? Any regrets? 

- Lessons learned? Advice to share?

Thank you.


NOTE: Please, this is not about which is Better. Let's not make it about that. I like both solutions and the varied options for each. Thanks!!!

NOTE: I searched the Forums through 2013 for relevant threads...If you know of one or more that relates to my questions, please add the link. Thank you.
david_ten

Showing 4 responses by terry9

terry9
2,209 posts
 
I run Quad ESL's. They need protection from high voltage spikes. The protection circuits sound like hell (it's relative).

What to do? The obvious thing is to optimize and upgrade the Quads' circuitry, run low voltage SS amps, and remove the protection circuits. That is, engineer the system as a whole. So I read a lot and sought expert advice. Thus DIY. The results are full complementary push-pull SS amps that run on +/- 25 V rails.

The phono/pre proceeds from different requirements. Most importantly, no (as in zero) ripple voltage, hence batteries. SS is easily done this way, tubes not so much.  And Analogue Devices was still selling its legendary PNP / NPN aerospace matched dual transistors (MATxy). Hence a full complementary push-pull circuit.

Another advantage of SS is that it can remain powered up indefinitely, improving for several days after a shutdown. Dead stable, dead quiet, exquisite refinement, superb dynamics, no maintenance. And no remote possibility of frying the Quads.

It may be that there are some amps which sound better than mine, there may be preamps that sound better than mine, but I'll bet there are damn few systems that sound better than mine. And I couldn't do that with tubes.

terry9
2,209 posts
 
Pairs of Quad 2905’s, Willem.
terry9
2,209 posts
 
Quite agree, Willem, views are harder to come by than speakers. The protection circuit only becomes oppressive after you try disconnecting it, and then there is no going back.
terry9
2,209 posts
 
I am thinking of the system as a whole. SS allows me to optimize overall, after major surgery to the Quads.

Prior to my experiments, I used Atma-Spheres, which were excellent for off-the-shelf amps. I recommend them to anyone not considering the DIY route.
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