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Have you moved from tubed amplification to solid state amplification... Why?

I'd like feedback from those who have moved from primarily using Tubed pre and power amplification to Solid State pre and power amplification in their systems. 

Feel free to share what you found relevant to your experience. The questions below are only meant as a starting point, and reflect what I'm curious about.

- What was the initial motivation or driver that made you consider the move?

- Once you made your choice, what were your specific reasons for doing so?

- How happy and satisfied have you been with this move? Any regrets? 

- Lessons learned? Advice to share?

Thank you.


NOTE: Please, this is not about which is Better. Let's not make it about that. I like both solutions and the varied options for each. Thanks!!!

NOTE: I searched the Forums through 2013 for relevant threads...If you know of one or more that relates to my questions, please add the link. Thank you.
david_ten
terry9
2,260 posts
 
I am thinking of the system as a whole. SS allows me to optimize overall, after major surgery to the Quads.

Prior to my experiments, I used Atma-Spheres, which were excellent for off-the-shelf amps. I recommend them to anyone not considering the DIY route.
bluesy41
211 posts
 

I went the opposite direction, I started off with Solid state and went to tubes. I am a Magnepan owner (20.7's) and had a pair of ARC monoblock amps that was rated 600wpc in 4ohms. It goes without saying from a power perspective they did the trick, however it lacked the musicality and subtle detail I got when I switched to tubes. It’s all system dependent, listening levels, and preference. I will most likely have to replace my tubes in another 4 years as the manufacturer of my gear is known for not running their tubes hard and with the auto bias feature it’s a non factor for me. At that rate I’m good with getting a new amp every 4 - 5 years, that’s based on changing out tubes. (not buying a whole new amp) LOL!

Cheers

aalenik
67 posts
 
There is no formula for good sound, but what works for me is a hybrid system - SS power amp and tubed pre-amp.  That gives me the power, speed & control of SS along with the musical tonality of tubes.  Using high quality components, this is much more like 'getting it all' than a compromise.  
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,547 posts
 

The Quads to which I was referring are the originals ("57’s"). Modjeski says he used that speaker for evaluating his design choices in the development of his RM-10 amp (35w/ch in it’s Class A/B version, 25w in the Class A version). The Quad 63 and it’s descendants are a very different story.

Modjeski offers not only push/pull Class A/B amps, but also low-powered single-ended amps, and an OTL (as well as an ESL speaker with a dedicated direct-drive---no output transformer---tube power amp). The Quad 57/OTL amp is a classic combination (especially the Futterman OTL’s), but Roger makes the case that an OTL amp is in fact a poor choice for use with that Quad. His reasoning was explained in the now-dormant Audio Circle Music Reference Forum.

audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
When I had much less efficient speakers I switched to a hybird to have enough power.  Tube front end

Van Alstine and Moscode

went to 97 db efficient dome speakers and back to conventional tubes

bliss again
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