Hybrid amplifiers Ss/tube, any good?


Aside from McIntosh, has any other manufacturer ventured into the hybrid territory.

Seems like a great idea, solid state for bass drivers and tubes for mid and Twieeter drivers.

I currently have a 600 W Mono block pair. And I would like to get tubes involved, but unless I get a really really powerful tube amplifier to replace the solid state amplifiers and to ensure solid bass performance, I will probably lose bass performance with a lesser tube amplifier. My speakers need a lot of power, unfortunately.   Biamping seems not really advisable. A hybrid amplifier properly designed appears preferable.
 

I am OK with a 300 plus watt tube mono block but most of these beasts generate a ton of heat which serves to discourage interest.  I could move to Maine or Alaska to avoid this but that seems a bit much.  

How can I resolve this dilemma? It's all I think about, except for contemplating food to eat.

emergingsoul

What is your system? Very helpful in understanding where you are coming from. As you know, there is a place to put photos and ID your conponents. That would really help to frame the discussion.

Definitely others have offered tube/SS hybrids. I know that Luxman had the LV105 tube/SS hybrid integrated amp in the 80s. New York Audio Labs has the Moscode 300 tube/SS hybrid power amp, and I’m pretty sure that Vincent offers one now. I’m sure there are others. It can be excellent if done well.

Many folks are currenlty using a self-selected tube/SS hybrid configuration for bi-amp setups, where a tube amp drives mids and tweeters, and an SS amp drives woofers. I’ve been pretty pleased with that situation.

the other hybrid amps I a familiar with, such as pathos, are not parrallel amps but instead a tube input with SS output stage.  

I listed to the pathos 100 watt, 330 lb monster today at a show and decided it was ore striking visually than sonicly.

Jerry

George Kaye's New York Audio Labs made excellent hybrid amps! Tube front ends with MOSFET output stages. I have the 75wpc Moscode 150 in my amp collection. Check the Stereophile archives for a review of the Moscode 300.

Add Vincent Audio to the list. I have owned Vincent SV-226, Pathos Classic One MK2, and now own the Rogue Sphinx V3. All very good at their price points.

What about the mcintosh mc901 hybrid amplifier. It's a true hybrid with a separate tube amp and a separate solid-state amp in one chassis, what's two section connecting a signal to only the upper range drivers, add solid state to the bass drivers.  Is this a good amplifier?  Not sure many others really do this.