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Integrateds: Warm sounding SS vs Hybrid

I have recently had Bryston B60 and Unison Unico amps. They each had their strengths. Overall I liked the Unico better, its more forward, fuller sound and a wider soundstage, due to its tube preamp. However, I wasn't enamored with the tube hiss I was getting, I realize that there might have been a problem with the amp, but I have read about others having this problem. With no music playing, or very quiet passages in classical music, the hiss could be heard from the listening position6-8 feet away.

I have read reviews of some SS amps where their sound is described as "tube-like".

My questions are:

1) Has anyone who had owned tubed gear heard a SS integrated that sounds like tubes?

2) Was my experience with Unison tube hiss likely due to faulty gear/tubes, etc?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
sandman012

Showing 3 responses by flg2001

flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
Hi - I have had some Integrateds (tubed, hybrid and SS) - if you are looking for a warm sound amp you should check the Primaluna (budget), or the Sugden class A line.

For hybrids Pathos and Acoustic Plan (which I own now) are really fantastic options.

Good luck
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
There are two integrateds that come to my mind where I just forgot thinking about their design fundamentals (SS or Tube) - those are Gryphon an Acoustic Plan.

I was more listening to music than the amp itself.
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
I had a pair of Totem Mani-2s and Tabu as well - both delivered good bass response but at the expense of sounding a little meshy - I drove both of them with a Gryphon Tabu and later with a Rowland 2.

Good luck
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