2. amps-preamps
  3. 1155701570

Anyone else evolve beyond tubes?

Over many years of owning both solid state and tube amps/pre-amps, my most recent high end system makes me question the need for tubes at all, except at the source! My Mcintosh C46 pre and MC501's driven by an MF A5 CD player into Dyn" C4's with MIT Magnum cabling produces music of great beauty and dynamic swing. I even demo'd some of the newer tube gear available for comparison...not even close. I think modern, well designed solid state gear is superior overall...at least with a tube output stage in your source!
128x128dave_b

Showing 4 responses by audiofeil

audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Buy what pleases you. It doesn't matter what anyone else believes.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I frankly have trouble believing Snook2's claim of a 50% failure rate. I've owned and listened to tubed gear for over 45 years. During that time many many tubes have worn out. We expect that. However, I can count the tubes that have failed prematurely on one hand. Perhaps I've been lucky or don't fit the statistical model but there might be a little embellishment in Snook's figures IMO.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
OK Newbee perhaps I misunderstood. That being said doesn't 50% failure speak to an incredibly flawed design and/or quality control process? Imagine if US automobiles (oops bad example) or politicians (oops another one) or audio reviewers (ditto) performed at that level.

Only kidding everybody.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Tvad's right. Andy is OCD with his products. I'd also love a crack at the "junk" bin.
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