I don't have a lot of experience with tube amps but I have switched from SS to Tubes and don't intend to go back. I have a Rogers High Fidelity 65V2 and I thought it sounded great. I saw an end game amp on a used site and waited till it dropped into the area I wanted and snatched it up. It is the LTA Z40+ with all upgrades.
However, when I got the LTA, I was disappointed in the sound. I did some research and swapped out the tubes and bingo! I have exactly what I want.
So my advice is to buy the best you can because it will give you speed, bass performance and coherence. But then research and find the best tubes to fine tune your sound.
WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
My system consists of the following
Integrated Amp. - Hegel H160
Speakers – Fritz Carbon 7
Dac – Denafrips Venus II
Server- Innous Zenith MK3
Turntable – Rega RP8
Cartridge- Hana ML
Phono Pre – Icon Audio PS1 MKII
Power Conditioner – Puritan PSM156
I stream most of my music, listen to everything from 60’s rock to blues and Jazz. My system as it currently exists sounds pretty good. My wife thinks it sound great. My main complaint with the existing system is it is still a little bright and I do experience some listener fatigue.
I am considering another upgrade. I have always had solid state integrated amplifiers. I am considering tube integrated amplifiers. My budget is 7 to 10K. If you have gone from SS to Tube, what did you buy? What was the most striking difference out of the box and 300 hours in? Did you keep the speakers you had?
I am not completely sure that a tube amp. is what my system needs. I thought speakers could also make a difference. So, I am considering adding Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 Graphene to my current system. If anyone would like to give me their impression of them I would greatly appreciate it. I have read that they pair well with Hegel Amps.
I have had the Carbon7’s since 2013. I like them a lot. I had also purchased Fritz’s Carrera 7Be. I sold them because I did not like beryllium tweeters, I thought I would, but I did not. BTW Fritz is a class act.