For anyone who moved from tubes to solid state — a question

I think it is possible to compare specific tube device A against specific SS device b, and make generalized assertions about how to best apply each type of technology, but have to be careful about generalized comparisons of tube versus SS gear in general.

The good ones are all in the same league and might win on any given day. There are more of those these days perhaps but certainly some older designs can still compete as well.

So just to complicate things even further, Class D SS amp technology is yet another whole new ball game and in general a much bigger threat categorically to tube amp technology than old fashioned Class A/B SS amps based on my experience to-date..

Class A SS amp technology is also always the other legitimate and more traditional challenger to tube amps.

Myself I would likely only consider using a tube amp with very easy load speakers to drive and high efficiency is desirable as well to be able to achieve higher SPLs from fewer watts.

Main reason is at my age I am looking to downsize if anything and keep it as simple as possible.

YMMV.

Then again, tubes glow and are way cool to look at. Been fascinated by them since just a kid.

The key issue with big tube amps that compete with big SS amps is how much do they cost and how much time and money to maintain them over time.

Nominal 6 ohm speakers would seem like fair game for a good quality tube amp depending on the details though some might assert any amp, but more so most tube amps, will do better the easier the load.

Also have to consider that many good 17 year old+ amps could be challenged to compete with similar good modern ones, especially if some maintenance might be needed.


Modern Class D amps have done an effective job of keeping me off the tube amp boat to-date. I’m glad I tried them first. I love tube gear but not the overhead that goes along with it, especially for larger amps with many tubes.

My only case like that was when I had both a tube and SS DAC from the same vendor at the same time for comparison, a relatively simple case.

I had the tube DAC first and found it responded to rolling tubes but no 1 tube checked all the boxes. So I also acquired the SS DAC.

I found the SS DAC was the best overall and was I was rolling tubes in the tube DAC to get it to sound like the SS DAC. So I dumped the tube DAC.

That was a few years back. I am still running the mhdt Constantine DAC in my system.

Here is a review I used for reference at the time covering the two:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0406/mhdt_laboratory_dac.htm

The differences between tube and SS amps are quite more substantial all things considered, especially when it comes to a tube amp needed to drive harder load speakers to their max. You have to take it all into consideration.

Only tubes in my system currently is ARC sp16 pre-amp with phono stage. Will be looking at going tubeless when the time comes to replace that if I can.