Tube vs Solid State Amplifiers

[sweetchaos]

Audioholics just posted:
"Tube vs Solid State Amplifiers: Which Sound Best?"

I learned a lot.

Can we learn anything new from this video, or is it what ASR already knows?

Also, at 40min:10sec, Matt from Audioholics mentioned ASR and he posted a graph from Hypex NC400's review.

Thoughts?

 

[Daverz]

For me the major point is "Tubes are expensive wear devices." Not sure about that grammar, but for my monoblock tube amps with a total of 8 power tubes, the expense is about $400 about every 2 years.

 

[despoiler]

Really informative. Lots of myths killed for the "all about the sound" audiophile and some for the measurementophile.

 

[tomtoo]

I see it from that point of view. If you like a good Amp a/b is cheaper as tubes. And Class D will be even cheaper.

 

[anmpr1]

For me the major point is "Tubes are expensive wear devices." Not sure about that grammar, but for my monoblock tube amps with a total of 8 power tubes, the expense is about $400 about every 2 years.

This is, evidently, a large variable, depending upon how the amplifier 'stresses' the tube. I don't know how it is today, but ARC and CJ used to warranty their output tubes for 90 days. Hafler/Laurent (Dyna) EL-34 designs ran at a fraction of their rating, and lasted longer. NYAL amps had a two year tube warranty. Bob Carver offers a 5 year warranty on tubes, due to his circuit design.

However all that is, it's still more expensive than a SS device, typically.

 

[ta240]

Really informative. Lots of myths killed for the "all about the sound" audiophile and some for the measurementophile.

It is interesting that they actually did a both sides review rather than a hit job on one side or the other. At 16:00 "there is absolutely no correlation between THD and people's perceived sound quality"

 

[pma]

"there is absolutely no correlation between THD and people's perceived sound quality"

This is correct, however THD or better say nonlinear distortion is not the only parameter to consider. Personally, I see no single reason why to use tube power amplifiers. I would especially address issues with frequency response modulated by speaker impedance and difficulties to design and manufacture a good output transformer, this part is always more or less a compromise and is never good enough.

 

[Killingbeans]

I learned a lot.

Me too. But I'm a spring chicken compared to most of the users in here. I generally have a lot to learn

 

[Celty]

I've always liked Gene's videos and website, a common sense approach and honest.

 

[audiophile]

My current amp is tube-based. Prior to that I owned two ss amps. Both typologies can sound very good. With tubes price per watt becomes much higher and there are maintenance costs too. I have no urge to replace my current amp, but think I could be as much happy with a solid state one.

 

[direstraitsfan98]

My current amp is tube-based. Prior to that I owned two ss amps. Both typologies can sound very good. With tubes price per watt becomes much higher and there are maintenance costs too. I have no urge to replace my current amp, but think I could be as much happy with a solid state one.

ok. so what?

 

[cjfrbw]

I currently have six variations of tube and solid state amps I use in rotation on my midrange ribbon (300Hz-7Khz). The two solid state (First Watt M2 and Pass DIY VFET) sound great and I use all of these amps according to mood from time to time.

 

[Celty]

I am so enjoying the ZMF Auteur on my solid state amp (Monolith 887), it sounds great, but I just could not ignore Zach (ZMF's owner) and many other ZMF users that they sound fantastic on a good tube amp. That meant some research, and I decided to talk to Glenn of Glenn Studio. He is a builder of tube amplifiers, on a custom basis, you can choose exactly what you want. I chose to order an OTL amplifier with some recommended upgrades. For me that includes:

A Lundahl transformer, two 6AS7 type output tubes, two 6J5 drivers instead of a 6SN7, and a rectifier tube, Gold Point stepped attenuator, Jupiter coupling capacitors, and XLR input/outputs.

I know many here don't think much of tubes, but the Glenn amps get a ton of love, including from ZMF, which is saying something, since they sell a different brand. When they go to Can Jam and other shows, one of the setups they use to exhibit what the ZMF headphones are capable of, they include a Glenn amp.

Glenn stays way busy, so I am on the waiting list. It will probably be a long wait, so I'll have to be patient. In the mean time I will just enjoy my current setup, it is producing excellent sound, so being able to compare them will be fascinating.

 

[mhardy6647]

Sorry, I've got nothin'...

DSC_0132 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

 

[Wes]

if you want "tube sound" use a tubed pre-amp with a quality (neutral) SS amp

 

[Celty]

Sorry, I've got nothin'...

DSC_0132 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

LOL, whatizat?

 

[mhardy6647]

Just DIY stuff (not original designs, either).

 

[Blumlein 88]

if you want "tube sound" use a tubed pre-amp with a quality (neutral) SS amp

Tube preamps don't sound like tube amps.

 

[Xulonn]

I just bought a used, 10kg (22lb) single-ended 7wpc Musical Paradise MP301 Mk3 tube amp, and it's on the way from Florida to Panama right now, but for me, I really only decided to buy it for sentimental reasons. It will probably sound Just fine for most of my listening via my small speakers in a small room. My only source is mt Daphile/LibreElec (Kodi) "HTPC" via a Topping DX7s DAC with a volume control, so a preamp is not necessary.

I found it on USAudiomart for $425 including shipping to my forwarder in Miami. It has an auto-bias feature, and can accommodate 6L6, EL34/6CA7, 5881, KT66, KT77 and KT88 output tubes. Although those who talk about the amp on internet forums never mention it, I would assume that only one of those tube types are optimized for maximum performance, or perhaps none - as a compromise for easy interchangeability. Also, it is my understanding that how hard you drive the tubes (plate voltage?) changes the "sonic signature" and affects tube longevity.

The amp includes a pair of JJ 6L6 power tubes plus 6J8P driver tubes, and also a pair of Gold Lion KT77's that came matched and tested from Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio. I will probably also buy a pair of tested and matched Tung Sol 6550 power tubes from Upscale - just for fun.

In a couple of months when I buy the 200ASC/200AC ICEpower modules from Parts Express and finish my 70wpc (8Ω) Ghent/ICEpower amp, I will end up having three power amps to play with. In addition to the flea-power Musical Paradise MP301 SE tube amp and the 70wpc (8Ω) Ghent/ICEpower amps, I will also still have the BIG and heavy 1990's 70wpc (8Ω) Classé Model 70 Class-AB amplifier that is currently installed in my main system.

 

[Zog]

if you want "tube sound" use a tubed pre-amp with a quality (neutral) SS amp

I have done this. My office system has an Ayon Pre with 6H30 tubes - it produces a euphonic sound. Another benefit is that the small signal tubes last vastly longer than the big signal tubes.