I do not think that there is a best tube amp or best solid state amp. Any piece of equipment must be carefully integrated into your system and the synergy that many have mentioned must exist in order for you to enjoy the music.
I do know from experience that each one of these technologies are great for what they can do. I also know that modern technology has allowed the envelope of tubes and solid state amps to sound even better then before.
The new Octave mono tube amps, MRE130, which just recently became part of the Dynaudio chain, can drive speakers as low as 2ohms. They are designed with the capability to drive low impedance from the start and with the outboard power rectifying supply upgrade, tube owners will not have to worry about driving "Hard to drive speakers". I know, I have a set of B&W N800's and they sound great, make great music and sound realistic in regards to the portrayal of music with these tube amps. Layering. I have auditioned Mark Levinson, Krell and Burmester, and none offer me the sense of spaciousness on my system that I hear with the Octave MRE130's. Others willl probably have different results and that is the one thing that makes finding the "the best tube amp" versus Spectron hard, there are so many options. You might have just found the best synergy for your system. Great.
Ciao,
Audioquest4life
I do know from experience that each one of these technologies are great for what they can do. I also know that modern technology has allowed the envelope of tubes and solid state amps to sound even better then before.
The new Octave mono tube amps, MRE130, which just recently became part of the Dynaudio chain, can drive speakers as low as 2ohms. They are designed with the capability to drive low impedance from the start and with the outboard power rectifying supply upgrade, tube owners will not have to worry about driving "Hard to drive speakers". I know, I have a set of B&W N800's and they sound great, make great music and sound realistic in regards to the portrayal of music with these tube amps. Layering. I have auditioned Mark Levinson, Krell and Burmester, and none offer me the sense of spaciousness on my system that I hear with the Octave MRE130's. Others willl probably have different results and that is the one thing that makes finding the "the best tube amp" versus Spectron hard, there are so many options. You might have just found the best synergy for your system. Great.
Ciao,
Audioquest4life