I have a few records of musicians and singers whom I heard live in an informal setting without microphones and amplification so it's easy to compare. Those recordings were made using tube reel to reel decks. Even with my all transistor equipment you can hear some of that tube sound. Then why do I have all transistor equipment when I advocate tubes so strongly ? Cost. I would not settle for anything but true high end. NOS tubes, especially for power amp can be difficult to find and very expensive. Besides, I would need something like Kharma speakers.
Questions about my system.
I have an Audio Research LS-16 tubed pre-amp which runs into a Madrigal Proceed HPA2 amp.
With the help of the folks here at Audiogon I've got it all set up a tweaked and sounding good.
However, having inherited this system rather than having researched it and chosen it myself....and being new to hi-fi...I have some basic questions about these components, particularly the Proceed.
First, am I correct in saying that the HPA2 is a solid state amp? I've seen pictures inside them and saw no tubes. Huge blue capacitor looking things but no glass tubes.
Second, across the front of the amp it says "dual monaural amplifier". My guess is that this means it is essentially two mono-block amps in one package. Is that right?
Finally, why would one choose to pair a tube pre-amp with a solid state amp? Is that typical? What are the drawbacks?
Thanks,
George
With the help of the folks here at Audiogon I've got it all set up a tweaked and sounding good.
However, having inherited this system rather than having researched it and chosen it myself....and being new to hi-fi...I have some basic questions about these components, particularly the Proceed.
First, am I correct in saying that the HPA2 is a solid state amp? I've seen pictures inside them and saw no tubes. Huge blue capacitor looking things but no glass tubes.
Second, across the front of the amp it says "dual monaural amplifier". My guess is that this means it is essentially two mono-block amps in one package. Is that right?
Finally, why would one choose to pair a tube pre-amp with a solid state amp? Is that typical? What are the drawbacks?
Thanks,
George