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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 4 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Bill, surely you are not speaking of Dave (Dcstep) are you?

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
How about a BAT VK-300x SE integrated? Hybrid design and remote control, check one out if you can. If the BAT is too pricey, try a Marantz PM11-S1. Not a hybrid, but a good sounding integrated with a remote for less $$$.

Happy hunting,

John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Sandman012, you can order the Red Wine Sig 30.2 as an integrated amp, with a volume control, and two inputs on the rear apron. Check the website for pics.

Now, that being said, this thread is starting to scare me. I'm having flashbacks to about three years ago when the D&K integrated mummies were running amok. I don't have any issues with folks enjoying their music, but look into some of the RWA zealots posting history. Natewalker_2006 has responded to 11 threads, and pushed the RWA 30.2 in every single one of them. Jwarmbrand has started one thread and replied to 10 threads, again, every thread was about RWA.

I won't lump Brawny in with the other two, because he seems to be more well rounded, only 2 of his 14 threads mention RWA, and in this one, he also mentioned First Watt's integrated.

Again, I think it's great if you love your audio system. However, what we found out about 3 years ago with the D&K fiasco was that there are also 'shills' that use these message boards to push their products. So be careful how much weight you place on some folks recommendations. Take a look at their history, and see how varied their experience is.

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Nate (Natewalker_2006), my apologies if you are truely a sheep in sheep's clothing. Like I said, I am happy when folks find great sound, especially for a good price.
It would really help your case if you would go into more threads/details about your musical tastes, and equipment/cabling experiences.

How does RWA sound compared to ARC/BAT/CJ/VAC/Krell/ML/Threshold/Pass/Classe/Rowland/Coda/Cary/ etc. Yes, I've heard all of the above companies and more, and know what their 'house sound' is.
I haven't heard RWA, what can I compare it to?
Those that only ever mention one brand, and one brand only are those that are taken (rightly or wrongly) for shills.

Brawrny, yes one does learn to be skeptical after many years, whether it is warranted or not.....yes, that is sad.

Cheers,
John
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