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more reliable amp: tube or solid state class A

i got to reading this thread:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1144724173&openfrom&1&4#1

i require no convincing that class A sounds better than AB or D or whatever else, but the efficiency is terrible, with the efficiency losses being reflected as heat.

and heat, as we know, causes thermal breakdown. this is a matter of engineering: the hotter a component runs, the shorter the mean time between failure. simple stuff.

but here's the question: if we took 2 equally hot-running amps, one tube and one SS, over the long haul, what would be more reliable? the tube amp, or the SS one?

i'm thinking the tube amp, solely b/c the tube is the hottest part, and its failure is accomodated for in the design (you simply plug in another tube). a hot running SS amp will eventually burn out resistors / transistors, and joe audiophile will be forced to send that to the factory for replacement.

(i am going to do some HVAC work on my room, and if i can keep in cool in mid July, i will be moving to the winner of this argument)

thx
rhyno

Showing 1 response by swampwalker

swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
And amid the warm glow (shameless tube analogy) creating by listening in on a "conversation" btwn 2 audio greats, lets not lose sight of the most impt point.
In summary, the point of this post is that the buyer should pay less attention to amp names, specs and classifications and listen with an open mind.

There are very well executed designs that utilize tubes and solid state, Class A and AB, OTL, ZOTL and transformer coupled. ANY designer makes a series of decisions and compromises to meet their design objectives. Buy/use what sounds good, is well built, and well supported!! Mssrs. Karsten and Berning make products that meet all three criteria.
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