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Help learn diff.between SS and Tube

I am auditioning an Anthem Amp 2 (a Hybrid amp) and it will be a change from my SS Marantz MA 500s in a bi-amp config. I have not had the Anthem more than a few hours (the amp is broke in) and I think right off the bat the Anthem seems to have less bass than my SS. The bass seems to be there, my room shakes, but its not as something, I can't put my finger on it, less "punchy?" Can someone pleez tell me the differences typical of tube and ss amps. Thanks. m-
mdomnick

Showing 2 responses by john_l

john_l
782 posts
 
I have a pass amp and the vt100. You can tell it is slower and less clear than the pass labs. It does liven the music up more though. You will never find the sheer clarity and speed of the alephs. The vt100 is one of the more accurate tube amps out there. An even more accurate, neutral amp is supposed to be the SF Power series. I haven't heard them.
john_l
782 posts
 
How to tell ? Well in general, if sounds good it's a tube amp, otherwise it's probably a solid state amp. Just kidding ( a little ) . Tube amps have a certain liveness to the sound, a little more 'thereness', like the performer is in your room. To hear it, listen to an electric guitar solo, a solo with a wood instrument (like a cello), and a vocal. Next listen to a ss amp in the same system. The notes with the tube amp will have a certain 'ring' to them. Imagine the sound of a wood guitar being played before and after a coat of paint is applied to it. It rings less after the paint is applied. My amps are actually solid state.
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