I am a very long tern Tube Amp enthusiast, who has had Commission Design/Built Amps produced since the early 90's.
Recently at group meetings, a few variants of DIY SS Power Amps have been put forward for Audition.
I have heard these compared to a 211 Valve Power Amp, that was the main amp in use on the day, being the owner of 845 Monoblocks, I will say I was familiar with the 211 sound.
What I did not expect was how the DIY SS Amps took a grip on the music, delivering a very attractive SQ, one that I could live with, and be very satisfied.
At a later date, at another event, a EAR 988 was the main amp of the day, it was a very nice amp to hear in use, especially in its Guise as it had undergone Tube Rolling, that as a result took the SQ to a much improved level.
At the latter part of the day, a Neurochrome SS Amp was put into the system for audition.
Firstly from recollection, it possessed all the qualities of the previously referred to SS Amp.
Secondly, it was a very attractive amp for SQ, and was only separated from the EAR by small differences in the presentation, I could quite easily
live with a amp like the Neurochrome.
On a more recent visit tot friends who has a system I am very familiar with, there were two Pioneer SS Amps in use from a vintage era, these are integrated, but have the option to bypass the pre amp, so they are in Power Amp only, and were attached to a Slagle AVC.
Usually I hear the Audition through a Custom Built 300B Monoblock and Dual Mono DACT Passive Pre Amp.
On the day, I could not fault the set up, and was thinking that this may have been the best audition I have had in the listening room.
I am today, much more appreciative of the SQ offered by SS Amplification that I have been in my past.
I can see myself introducing a Neurochrome or the Pioneers into my home, as part of a second system, in the future.
I would recommend seeking out a Neurochrome for a Audition, before committing to a full change in direction toward Valve designs.
Recently at group meetings, a few variants of DIY SS Power Amps have been put forward for Audition.
I have heard these compared to a 211 Valve Power Amp, that was the main amp in use on the day, being the owner of 845 Monoblocks, I will say I was familiar with the 211 sound.
What I did not expect was how the DIY SS Amps took a grip on the music, delivering a very attractive SQ, one that I could live with, and be very satisfied.
At a later date, at another event, a EAR 988 was the main amp of the day, it was a very nice amp to hear in use, especially in its Guise as it had undergone Tube Rolling, that as a result took the SQ to a much improved level.
At the latter part of the day, a Neurochrome SS Amp was put into the system for audition.
Firstly from recollection, it possessed all the qualities of the previously referred to SS Amp.
Secondly, it was a very attractive amp for SQ, and was only separated from the EAR by small differences in the presentation, I could quite easily
live with a amp like the Neurochrome.
On a more recent visit tot friends who has a system I am very familiar with, there were two Pioneer SS Amps in use from a vintage era, these are integrated, but have the option to bypass the pre amp, so they are in Power Amp only, and were attached to a Slagle AVC.
Usually I hear the Audition through a Custom Built 300B Monoblock and Dual Mono DACT Passive Pre Amp.
On the day, I could not fault the set up, and was thinking that this may have been the best audition I have had in the listening room.
I am today, much more appreciative of the SQ offered by SS Amplification that I have been in my past.
I can see myself introducing a Neurochrome or the Pioneers into my home, as part of a second system, in the future.
I would recommend seeking out a Neurochrome for a Audition, before committing to a full change in direction toward Valve designs.