I had a Cary CAD300 SEI integrated. It had solid state rectification. The Cary 300B monoblocs have tube rectification. The general consensus is:
Solid state rectification gives better bass.
Tube rectification gives a more "romantic - tubelike"
sound, and the ability to advertise "All Tube Amplifier".
My BAT VK31SE preamp has solid state rectification.
I think it sounds great. And my long term reference is my Pass X1, definitely no slouch.
The new BAT VK32SE has tube rectification. That means (6) "supertubes" at $300.00 each when you re-tube.
My VK31SE has (4)"supertubes".
That's an $1800.00 re-tube for the VK32SE, instead of a $1200.00 re-tube for the VK31SE.
This means a re-tube for the VK32SE costs almost as much as a used Pass X1.
You do have the option of not using the "supertubes",
then you can find tubes for $20.00 each. I'm using these tubes now, they sound probably 90% as good as the "supertubes", to me.
Solid state rectification gives better bass.
Tube rectification gives a more "romantic - tubelike"
sound, and the ability to advertise "All Tube Amplifier".
My BAT VK31SE preamp has solid state rectification.
I think it sounds great. And my long term reference is my Pass X1, definitely no slouch.
The new BAT VK32SE has tube rectification. That means (6) "supertubes" at $300.00 each when you re-tube.
My VK31SE has (4)"supertubes".
That's an $1800.00 re-tube for the VK32SE, instead of a $1200.00 re-tube for the VK31SE.
This means a re-tube for the VK32SE costs almost as much as a used Pass X1.
You do have the option of not using the "supertubes",
then you can find tubes for $20.00 each. I'm using these tubes now, they sound probably 90% as good as the "supertubes", to me.