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Tube vs. SS Dilemma

Hi there Audiogon Community
Need some serious help and don’t know who to talk to but you guys. I have been upgrading my system for the past year and a half now, selling and buying stuff. First I went the tube route, bought an Atlas Magnum Amp, Cary SLP 03 Tube Preamp, was dreaming the liquidy tube dream, was amazed at the upgrade from an old and tired hybrid amp I had. Sources: estoteric DV50 for cd and vinyl via a Lenco TT and Ear Phono. Mainly listen to jazz, classic rock and some bits of classical.
But got a hold of a Mark Levinson Preamp, a 380 model and had a spare Krell 250a amp, hook the esoteric cd player to this second setup and was just blown away, I always thought that my heart would always be glowing with tubes or at least a tube/ss setup, but man am I enjoying the SS turn, the bass carácter of the Krell is addictive.
So my question is: What is happening? Am I just shocked “temporarily” by the ML/Krell combo? Should I just wait for a while and do a second and third shootout between setups? Or the fact that the ML/Krell combo is much better – in terms of the models I have vs. the tube models – part of the reasons that explain the differences and should look for better tube amp/preamp before seriously comparing the two?
As soon as I listened to the ML/Krell combo, my first thought was to keep upgrading my system the ss way, instead of the tube route, but before I make drastic changes want to hear from you guys’ experience. I don’t want to make this a tube vs. ss question, therefore I hope the details of the inquiry help steer away broad answers in that regard.
Should add the speakers I’m using with all these setups: GoldenEar triton 2’s. Thanks in advance. I always enjoy reading the forum, but now I had to ask the question before declaring this a case of mild audiophile schizophrenia.
Thanks.
128x128musicgeorge11
larryi
3,719 posts
 
A tube preamp/linestage feeding a solid state amplifier certainly can work, but, my experience has been that the results are even more unpredictable than the general unpredictability of component interaction. One MUST try the specific combination first because it is not simply a case of trying to balance or combine attributes of the two; often the result is bad--murky and dull sound. I find solid state feeding tube to be more predictable (you can get very nice sound but with the slight loss of the large scale and emersive soundstage of all tube electronics).

Cary and Rogue tube gear is like ALL tube gear--it comes with tubes that are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Most listeners are happy with what they get, but, it is possible to significantly change the sound with alternative tubes if one has the patience and the resources to so do. The customizable sound of tube gear is a positive attribute to me, but, it can be a source of frustration to others.

As for the Cary/Rogue vs. ML/Krell comparison, isn't the solid state combination many multiples in price of the tube combination at original cost?
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,230 posts
 
Hi Larryi,
All good points as usual.
I also feel that higher quality tube equipment(with appropriate speakers) would be a more realistic comparision/assessment to his present SS components.
Charles,
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,846 posts
 
I find the best SS and tube setups sound more alike than different to me. The end results/overall synergy of components working together in your room is all that matters.

If you like the SS sound, then it is possible that tubes may not do much for you. There is no rule that says tubes are always better, though some that like "tube sound" will lean that way.

I have heard the Goldenears but not extensively and not with any tube gear. On paper, they appear to be amenable to either tube or SS amplification, say 80 w/ch or so or more, depending on user preferences.

With a suitable amp in place for the GEs, then it might be worthwhile to experiment next with different pre-amps to see how each sounds. Tube pre-amp might have something to offer over many SS pre-amps. I would not use a tube pre-amp however unless amp input impedance is 30K ohm or higher in order to help keep distortion low and sound more defined. Different DACs, ICs, etc. might also be tried as additional tweaks if needed.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,846 posts
 
My guess also is that GOldenears are not designed mainly to be run off a tube amp, though on paper I would expect that many larger, better tube amps might do quite well. A good SS amp is probably a safer bet in general with those. Tha might explain what you are hearing.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,846 posts
 
Also I have not seen impedance curve metrics for those Goldenears, but, from what I read and having heard them, I would be willing to bet that they might be a challenge for many amps, cettainly many tube, even some SS, to drive well. It would be worthwhile to find out more about the impedance curve if measured anywhere somehow if available. That would be telling!

Regarding, tube versus SS pre-amp, I love my ARC tube pre-amp, but again there is certainly no rule that says tubes always outperform or even just always sound better than SS. You've tried some things and compared so just trust your ears. Maybe you have not quite found the right tube pre-amp yet. Or maybe what you have is just fine, tubes or not. Trust your ears, not the hype and spin.
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