I have always had low efficiancy speakers and had powerfull ss amps to power them. Now I see there are a number of tube amps in the 150 - 200 WPC range. My questions is: is there anything to be gained by switching to these higher power tube amps over ss amps?
Yes, I'm aware of that. Hence my reference to a mono amp, specifically one intended for music playback. I was responding to his prior comparison. I'm thinking not a lot of effort is put into ss guitar amp design.
The answer is a resounding 'yes'.... EXPENDITURE! Nothing more. A better question would have been...'Is there anything to be lost'... Again, a resounding 'yes'.
Okay, I've pried the lid off. 1. soft, mushy bottom end 2. rolled off top end 3. non credible 'holographism'(the practice of desperately attempting to legitimize the gross expenditure associated with the hysterical belief in what is actually 'not' possible). 4. :)
Okay, let me try this again. I was referring to a home stereo ss amp, preferably a mono one. I tried a Denon with my guitar years ago. It sounded pretty good.
It was an experiment. Thankfully(I guess). I love consensus though. I also love being a pain in the ass. I have nothing else:) Tubes or ss, it's all the same to me. It only has to sound good. Less maintenance with ss.
I would venture to guess that Al, but especially Ralph believe it's not possible to arrive at life-like sound without tubes given some of their prior posts. To that end I would like very much for either/both to cite some tube amps that are as fast as any ss amps they've heard so far. Imo, you can't get there without serious speed in an amp. For me it's 'the' most important factor. I really don't care what else it does well or poorly (within reason). And I don't care about published specs.
Thank you Tubegroover and Al. I didn't mean to challenge you as I expected a relatively immediate response. But I do think you two are most precise in defining speed as I put it. Judging from your responses it's fairly clear that it is in fact a technically quantified attribute and therefore realizing it is not subjective at all. The reason I don't care much about specs is because amps don't necessarily live up to them. But I am aware of which ones they are. As you stated, Tubegroover, 'you know it when you hear it'. Why someone would hear it but not prefer it is beyond me. I'm willing to wager there's not a high end amp out there without this quality, without which a lot of other attributes are down the toilet.
Now there's an impressive response. Thank you Ralph for catering to my very limited knowledge and set of sensibilities. Regardless, I do like my sugar sweet. Problem is I can't put my finger on it. I'm only able to get a glimpse. Your prior post has me seriously considering a paradigm shift of my own. I'm already hearing it in my head.
Very good point. Is it odd ordered harmonic distortion that causes damage within the average spl range we listen at? Will I preserve my hearing ability switching to tubes?
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