Thoughts on Tube vs SS amplification for Sony SS AR1s

sfmorris OP
@george accuphase seems to have some good integrated that double through to 2 ohms. Do you have any personal suggestions?

Yes, my order would be.  

Gryphon Diablo 120 or 300 if you have the funds
https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/diablo-120/
https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated-amplifiers/gryphon-diablo-300-integrated-amplifier/

Parasound Halo Integrated. Hint-6
https://www.parasound.com/hint6.php

Hegel H190
Hegel integrated amps "maybe" but from tests the 160 couldn’t really do even close to doubling into 2ohms, they only managed a 20w increase from the 4ohm figure.

Same with the Pass Labs Integrated, on test they don’t increase too much both channels driven from 4 to 2 ohms

Cheers George

Almost without fail, tube amps will have greater low level detail, better linearity and a more organic presentation. Almost without fail, tube amps will react much more negatively than S.S. to low impedance speakers or impedance dips. 

One type of power is not better than the other and to say such a thing is foolish. Knowing Sony and also looking at the specs of your speakers, I would say that are grossly underpowering your speakers and would be best served by a more powerful S.S. amp.

This could be a situation in which you wont know what you are missing until you hear it for yourself. I think the speaker determines the amp in most cases.

sfmorris,
In your opening post you wondered if you don’t know what you’re missing regarding the sound quality (SQ) of your Sony speakers. According to George and jsautter the answer is a resounding yes! You don’t know what you’re missing. George provided legitimate technical test measurements to make a very strong case.

Based on the Stereophile Sony  measurements your Luxman tube amplifier is weakest ( decreased power of 14 watts/4  ohms i.e. lower speaker impedances) right in the range where the Sony speaker is most demanding of an amplifier.  . That’s quite the dichotomy it would seem. What’s fascinating is despite clear technical evidence that the Luxman should fail in miserable fashion, it sounds terrific according to you. I don’t doubt what you hear.

How is this apparent contradiction possible? How can what one hears be so contrary to what verified measurements would predict? sfmorris it would be undeniably interesting if you could get an amplifier (or very similar type ) suggested by George and compare directly to the 14 watt Luxman.

Would the technically corrdct/preferred powerful high current transistor amplifier expose shortcomings of the Luxman while effortlessly driving the Sony’s to new heights of sonic capability? Or would those 14 tube watts continue to impressively make beautiful music and possibly outshine the more powerful competitor? This listening comparison would be very insightful and informative.
Charles

sfmorris OP


The combination of 3ohms and -60 degree phase angle at around 70hz (right in the bass power region), makes it look more like 1-2ohm loading to an amp. Then a continual load from there of 2.7ohms out to 500hz. Very tube, and many weaker solid state amps unfriendly.
In fact looking at both graphs, this Sony speaker to me looks even worse at 70hz (because of it’s -phase angle) than the "king" of unfriendly speakers to drive, the Wilson Alexia!!!!.

https://www.stereophile.com/images/1213Walexfig01.jpg

These Sony’s seem to be just like the Wilson Alexia, a "real pig" of a speaker to drive, but once driven correctly the rewards are both are something to behold. I’ve heard the Alexia’s driven with Gryphon Antillion Evo, and it’s a sound that you will never forget and always strive to get yourself.

Cheers George