2. amps-preamps
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Should I got full tubes or stick with hybrid amps?

I currently have a Jolida 1501. I like it but I think I have upgraditis. I originally bought it (hybrid) because I’m really sensitive to highs (get a headache). It’s been good to me and I can listen without fatigue.

To help with upgraditis, I just bought a Yamaha AS801 to try out and although it definitely sounds good and has nice detail it is creating a little fatigue for me. I’m still in the break-in period so this may smooth out a bit.  (I definitely like having bass/treble controls).

Thinking about picking up a full tube amp or another hybrid for comparison. I don’t know much about other manufacturers of tubes/hybrids.

What’s the difference (sonically) between a hybrid and a full tube amp? Any recommendations?

Thanks!!
soundchasr

Showing 1 response by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Am I right that the hybrid should have the warmth of the tube amps and the bass of SS? So, the best of both worlds?

Its a little more complicated than that. The finest tube amps have excellent bass, better than a lot of SS to my ears. Better power, better slam, better dynamics. Way, way, way better palpable presence. The best amps, tube or solid state, they draw you in. The last thing they do is fatigue. Anything that does is by definition undesirable. The whole point is to want to listen to music. Wanting to stop listening to music, what fatigue does, is the exact opposite.

If you want to buy by design then why the baby steps? Why not go the Full Monty? Decware zero feedback all triode.
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