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Has anyone mixed SS and tube amps in one system?

I am currently driving my aerial 10ts with a pair of Rotel rb980-bx amps, 125 wpc 80amps max., in a horizontal configuration. I have to say that given the low cost of these amps, the sound stage is pretty good. However, I am looking to open up the music even more. (I listen to alot of vinyl these days, mostly rock but some jazz, and I will be adding a tube phono stage soon that will help my quest for more staging.) My idea is to perhaps use these amps in monoblock (250wpc) config to drive each of the woofers and use a tube amp of about 100 to 150 wpc to drive the mids and high's. Would this pose a problem with matching amps, etc.? Should I look for another solution?
dan_ed

Showing 1 response by albertporter

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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
I used a combo transistor and tube with best success on Vandersteen 4 A speakers. This was years ago, when Steve McCormack was modifying the Quad transistor "current dumping" stereo amps into mono blocs. I used one Quad per channel with dual Vandersteen outboard crossovers and ran Counterpoint SA 4 OTL tube mono blocks on the top.

Oddly enough, years later Vandersteen offers the model 5, which has a high powered mono transistor amp built in to drive the subs, and many users drive the top with Wolcott or other suitable tube amps.

Time marches forward and full circle.
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