Slam possible with Tubes instead of SS ??


I like the sound of tubes having a Sonic Frontiers tube pre amp. Is it possible to get that good SS slam I like from a a reasonably priced tube amp? Using an aragon 8002 ss amp at present. Looking to spend about $2 K max if I decide to jump the fence. Yes i do like to feel the bass and do want want to give that up.
blueskiespbd

Showing 6 responses by rleff

Rrog personally I believe it is but notice that Ralph from Atmasphere is qualifying the use of a solid state on electrostatics as well.
Rrog I am driving soundlab m2's with audiovalve challanger 180 mono's using 6550c's with great results;this is a class A amp push pull.
Electrostatics can be matched with tubes you just need to do some careful matching and it can be done;another match
would be Atmasphere's ma1's or above;that is supposed to be a very very good match for electrostatics and its OTL tubes as well.
I am in the boat with Tvad on that issue as well;it is probally best to try and audition amps if you can in your own system;if you can not then try to get to a dealer and audition the amps there. Solid state amps that performed for me were: mccormack dna-1 monoblocks,B&K m200 sonata monoblocks,forte model 4 and the amps I have now Jeff Roland model 6 monoblocks.
There are solid state amps that do get close but in my opinion they miss the mark on the tube sound.
Blueskiespbd what is your definition of slam bass? I run my rolands on 2 sets of speakers;usher rw729's this is a monitor so they can only go so low;but the bass is tight and defined;on my other speakers the soundlab m2's they play down lower; results being a very tight bass with definition;such as a stand up bass,kettle drum,and organ;I am interested to hear your definition of slam though.
Blueskiespbd I am very happy with my soundlab m2's and they handle bass very well in my system;my sub is not used for 2 channel but only for LFE in home theater;I am that happy with the low freq in 2 channel audio.
Grannyring imagine what the A1's would sound like with MA2's or MA3's what a great sound that must be;maybe I will head down to Atlantic City and see if I can get some $$$'s out of Trumps pocket.Did you consider a larger tube amp like a VTL,Vac,Audiovalve or Manley's?