Selling off Tubes for Solid State, A Cooler Love Story?

You are considering Ypsilon or Dartzeel, so we've established that funds are not strained. Why not gain real estate and solve heat problem with active speakers like ATC, Focal, PSI or others.

I went through something similar: Had a tube integrated amp with 8 KT88 power tubes. Sounded great but the room would get toasty. I switched to a SS integrated out of curiosity and to address the heat issue. Enjoyed it for about 3 months but ended up having a Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi moment: "you don't know what you've got till it's gone".

I replaced the SS integrated with a KT120 power tube integrated amp (same WPC as the previous KT88 amp) but with fewer tubes (4 only) and less heat. If you love the tube sound and the glow at night I strongly suggest sticking to it. Some things are worth the hassle and inconvenience. Octave (70 WPC) and Qualiton (100 WPC) both use 4 KT120 or KT150 tubes which generate less heat and both sound awesome.    

Same problem. I went with Spectral to keep my listening room cool. Sold all my BAT tube gear. Now I don’t have to open the windows in the winter or crank the air in the summer. Goodwin’s High End is a good start for finding used gear. They sell on Audiogon.

No the 301 post is me being fat fingered and well wrong.

It is the e.One REF501S.

I am listening to it now. The 500S is coming to an end soon. I know Absolute Sound has a REF501S in now for review.

This is the unit I bought.

 

Cool.  But 501 and not 301. I wonder how many changes there were w.r.t. the 500s.

https://nowlistenhere.net/Products/Bel-Canto-eOne-REF501S-amplifier__BCD-E1-REF501S.aspx

@twoleftears Guess you are wrong.

And I have one of the first ones to hit the market.

 

@jerryg123  AFAICS, Jeff Rowland makes 301s monoblocks, and Bel Canto makes an e.ONE REF500s.

The correct answer:

You need 2 amps: a summer amp and a winter amp.

Summer amp is SS...duh. Winter amp can double as a space heater: 300Bs

You're welcome.

@charles1dad the 301s is awesome but the X200 is better for me.

I am thinking about keeping the 301S it is a quality piece.

@jerryg123 ,

"I can not imagine not having my AH Qualiton X200 in my system.
experimented with SS again with GaN Class D and The New Bel Canto e.One ref301s (I may keep it) and the X200 wins hands down period."

That much better?  That's quite a compliment. 

Charles

•  

Should look at at tubes further up the ladder.

I can not imagine not having my AH Qualiton X200 in my system. 
experimented with SS again with GaN Class D and The New Bel Canto e.One ref301s (I may keep it) and the X200 wins hands down period. 
 

Just my opinions here and you should do what is right for you.

Have a great day.

@jbhiller is also right to bring attention to the lovely carver 275

wonderful amp in many ways, moderate heat output (more than the lta but a good amount less than the primaluna with half the # of power tubes) - it is also a tube amp that is very easy with tubes, leading to extraordinarily long life in use

there is something very right about how this crimson 275 amp presents the music, especially into higher efficiency speakers

Would you consider headphones for 3 months tiny amp even if tubed... And get some planar headphones... 

I had a PL HP integrated and other tube amps.  I now have a Bob Carver Crimson 275.  To me, it bests the PL line, is less expensive, and runs super cool.  I'm in Chicagoland so heat in the winter is welcome, but in my third floor listening room I want none of it in the hot summers.  That problem is entirely gone.  

I like PL as a product.  I think that it's missing some mojo though.  Just my two cents.  

Be careful with that SS adventure.  While I agree with the sage JJSS (super dude), your subjective enjoyment is all that matters.   

Getting cold up here in Boston....  think its time to swap out the EL34 s for some KT88 to keep toasty.....

@oddiofyl  Can't agree with you more!

@j-wall , the Mits in/out AC/Htr sounds like the purchase you ought to have made...but Sunday quarterbacking is too easy to default to. ;)

All wonderful, well-intentioned comments and recommendations from the gallery, but you've the opportunity to dip toes into the many variations now beckoning.

Tube/SS hybrids, all SS all the time, full-tilt Ds', or even 'mixed-media' combinations of both.  The audio whirl'd is again your oyster to shuck about with. *G*

Used to keep the budget from implosion, new when you're ready to commit.

Have fun listening self into giddyness, J

'Bots don't type like this...

@oldschool1948 thanks for the tips adding it to my wishlist. 

 

@mglik AGD is added to my research list. 

@OP The BHK250 is a hybrid class A amp.  Tube input stage and SS output stage.  It runs warm, but not hot.

My listening room room is 13x11x8.  I am quite happy with mine.

I was a dedicated tube guy for decades.

Because of the heat in the Summer and speakers that needed more power, I started looking at SS. My conclusion and that of the Forum is that there was only two amps that could satisfy a tube guy-Bakoon and AGD. I now own a Bakoon headphone amp and AGD Audion mono blocks. And ultimately, AGD over Bakoon for my main system. Both are unique and proprietary technologies. Both give a clear window that is addicting but I prefer AGD for the overall SQ and the physicality over the Bakoon. Dartzeel and probably some other very expensive amps may be better in some ways but I would never change. The AGDs are my destination amps.

Most ss amps will do. Just do NOT buy a class A design 😄

I don’t have a lot of experience w many amps/gear, but I’m running a Krell Duo 300 XD class A 300 wpc. The unit stays cool the entire time at high DB levels pushing my Forte’s. The unit does have fans in the back, which I’m sure is frowned upon, but I can’t even hear them when the room is completely silent and I’m right near the amp. They also have an app to check the heat of the amp. Not really sure why they offered that for consumers. 
 

As another option, I’m selling a pair of Jeff Rowland class D monoblocks (250 wpc). Zero heat and amazing build and look. Something like that would work perfect. 

Those early Pass Aleph got so hot the black anodizing turns purple..... really good Class A designs run pretty hot and use as much idle current as a tube amp

I had a pair of VK75SE monos in a big room and it put out lots of heat. Same for the 845 amp I used to own.. 

The Pass XA25 get fairly warm to touch but Doesn’t heat up the room.. Same for my FW SIT3 amp. 

The Vincent Audio 237 integrated is a hybrid...tube front end and SS amp....very sweet and under 3K.   I own Belles Aria 70 W integ. and love the smoooooooooth sound...no edges.

You should consider this amp if you are looking for a cool running powerful amp.

https://www.starkesound.com/detail.html?id=47&name=AD4.320

The Boulder 866 has stellar reviews. I’m not sure about the heat generated compared to your PL. Good luck in your search. 

Sorry to hear you are moving away from tubes.....SS is nice but .......   

There is also Spec. Spec is a Japanese maker, class D, but sounds like tube amps. Cheaper than the Mola Mola.

Ypsilon is quality and recommended. Have you considered an integrated from Mola Mola Kula. Class D, and real hi end?

Try (x8) 7581A tubes instead of KT88s. My Evo 400 does run fairly warm but not hot enough for me ever to give a care. On top of that Primalunas run tubes relatively easy so I find this post entirely fascinating.

But sounds like the OP is ready for something new. 

 

the linear tube audio zotl reference 40 tube amp is worth mentioning in this discussion

https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/zotl-40-reference-amplifier

a very special amp in that it uses the berning circuit, without output transformers and runs its 4x el34’s at a very modest biasing, thus very moderate heat (much less overall in my experience than a pass or belles class a ss amp, for instance)

the amp has a wonderful, sparkling clarity, speed and impact rarely found in tube power amps, kind of a ying to the primaluna’s yang in sonic attributes - but with all the midrange and imaging magic we expect from tubes (not to mention that w/o transformers, it is light as a feather... :)

Ever hear of air conditioning. ?  I have no idea of what speakers you are driving, much less your taste in music, but getting rid of PRIMA LUNA, well, I think you will discover is a big mistake, just for the sake of an environmental condition. 

Considering that PRIMA LUNA designs employ technology that only drives the power output stages at about 30 - 40% of their full capacity is also puzzling. Were you to switch to a very good quality "CLASS A" solid state amp, you will soon find that it too, will dissipate a significant amount of heat. So, if the temperature of your room is more important that the quality of you audio reproduction, then perhaps you should go "CLASS D". (YUCK !! )

PS If you are stuck using a noisy window AC unit., Then I might suggest a portable  MITSUIBISHI "heat pump" which both cools and heats. I've read good reports on it.

Here's what I did. I had a pair of Dynaco MkIII mono blocks, but also an ST-70 all modified with new driver boards. I sold the Mono Blocks and bought a Yamaha A-S1200. I use the pre out to the ST-70 when I want to use it. 10x13 room.

Get yourself a Bryston. 

+1 for AGD. I had the Vivace and now have upgraded to the Grand Vivace, very happy with them.

@j-wall  Others have asked - what is your budget? Two names I would add are Ayre Acoustics and Bryston. As good as Pass class AB products to me. Great support from the manufacturers. Very neutral and smooth compared to Rogue Sphinx, which I auditioned before buying a Rogue Stereo 100 for one of my systems.
 

Both work well with speakers that drop to 2 ohms. High current amps with great power reserves and excellent transient response. Expensive. Bryston provides a 20 year manufacturer’s warranty. Can buy used knowing manufacturer will service them, if needed. Many Magnepan dealers use Bryston amps in their showrooms.

Good luck!

I had Primaluna in So Florida- they gen too

much heat

tried Arcam, Peachtree, Rotel   And settled with Rotel A14

my room is small 12/14’ and the Rotel sounds terrific

its Class A for low vol and it’s not warm at all

sound is terrific 

 

 

 

 

One of the main factors in tube sound is low damping factor which very few solid state amps have. A high quality exception to this is Pass amps. They don't use full loop feedback which is why solid state has a high damping factor. So Pass amps interact with a speaker load similarly to tube amps.

I did the exact same thing j-wall. I have a Primaluna dialogue premium hp amplifier with 8 kt150 tubes and also found my 13 by 17 upstairs listening room getting very warm during the summer. After an hour or two the temperature rise in the room was noticeable. I bought a PS Audio BHK 250 several months ago and while the amp does run a little warm it’s nothing like the PL. As much as I enjoyed the Primaluna the BHK is on a whole different level. Bass grip is positively phenomenal. 

I know what my friend,if you love how sound your system with tubes,keep it because solid state amps the majority it’s sounds stident and dynamic but the only solid state amps can sound similar is First Watt but it’s you have a eficient speakers and neutral sound,the only solid state vintage amp can sound like a tube is BK,and Pass Aleph class A but it’s very difficult to get and the prices it’s up the ceiling plus consume a vast of current, my humble opinion keep in tubes or hybrid amps.

Im in my basement. 14x24x8.Ls28se pre, Pl Evo 400 and A21+ splitting duties on the speakers. Mechanical room is just on the other side. Only heat i feel is my wife saying I don't need any new gear. 

Budget?:

Speakers?:

Scources?:

I'm glad I have a Big Room....lol.

@jjss49 this is the anecdotal information I've been looking for. I have a very inexperienced interaction with anything but tubes so this is exactly what I was hoping for. So essentially I'd be able to lessen the heating of my room which is what I wanted to assume was true with solid state Class A. Thank you

The F5 is a great amp,however it does run on the warmer side of the temp scale. 

Do yourself a favor and trial a Circle Labs A200 integrated  hybrid. Purity of tone and beautiful tone await you. The design is both unique and smart. Parts count is minimal with short circuit paths.  A special unit.