It always depends on the particulars of a given amp/preamp, the tubes used, and the rest of the system, etc. Plus it’s subjective, but in general I’ve found tubes to have a more holographic sense of space, textured harmonics, and realism that I haven't found with the SS amps I can afford, while solid state amps definitely tend to have more bass slam due to their greater damping factor.
After years of owning both, I thought I had settled on full tubes, but added an SS amp in bi-amp setup to power the woofers a while back....best of both worlds.
The difference between tubes and solid state that I am finding
I'm still a newbie when it comes to tubes. I have had the McIntosh C12000 preamp (with Moon 861, Eversolo A8, and Focal Sopra n1s) for awhile now. It is very enjoyable. I noticed when switch between Tube amp and Solid state mode the difference is very subtle. But when I do focus on it, I notice:
Tube sound: More open with a slight blossom sound. Maybe slightly more holographic. A pretty sound.
Solid State sound: More exact. Instruments seem more there and defined. More in my face. Bass hits harder to. But not as open and airy.
As far as brightness, I wouldn't say ether one is more softer than the other... the brightness seems same on both.
Am I correct in this is how the differences between the tube/states differ?
I really enjoy both modes.... but I think the solid state one gets me a little more excited.
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Yes, You identified the dominant differences. How prevalent the differences are also dependent on the designer and the rest of your system. Your comment on blossom is call midrange bloom... it is the natural fullness of the midrange... where most of the music happens. If you compared an all tube system that had its focus on reproducing nature sound like Audio Research, Conrad Johnson VAC. You would hear these qualities in spades. The bass would be nuanced, all the details would be there, but not highlighted... exaggerated and the midrange bloom would be rich. Tubed systems can be extraordinarily musical. An all solid state system would tend to turn your head by its details and probably the dominant (but some what undifferentiated thump) slam. Treble is very easy to create with solid state but difficult to do really high quality. Solid state are prone to sounding hard, analytical and can loose the music. The designer can attempt to make a solid state amp sound more musical and less like solid state. For example, Audio Research has released the S series amp (S100 and s200)... which are solid state but do not sound solid state at all. I owned primarily solid state for forty years... and one by one switched to all tube component for all my systems. They now sound detailed an incredibly natural and musical. You can see my system under my UserID under systems. I'd encourage you to create a virtual system as well. It's easy and really helpful to the folks on the forum. |
Depends on how you like your pasta. Endless combinations and permutations of gear rendering same number of acoustic palettes. I've several systems running and like them all. I've owned several tube pieces, same with SS. There is no RIGHT. There's better..... and worse. But no right. Like finding the 'right' Monet. I like tubes, but tired of the endless chase to re-tube, upgrade the tubes, wonder if they were still strong enough. For me, SS, really really good SS ended that quest. For me. And I moved away from the richness, romance if you will of that tube sound and moved to immediate hard hitting live sound. No listening fatigue, just live. For me. Enjoy the journey. |
@celtic66 +1 everyone likes something different. I’ve heard some low powered SET set tubes with high efficiency speakers that I thought sounded pretty great. Otherwise, it’s a matter of which set of trade-off you prefer. To my ear, you’re getting some mid range warmth, and giving up a more realistic bass performance, speed, and detail. That’s how it sounds to me, but everyone is different.Depends on what you like-there are excellent products in either flavor. |
In the recent years I have as a result of experiences had been left with information that has been indelible and enforced a rethink a out my lomg term commitment to Valves used in the Audio System. In a non owned system depending on how it is heard assembled, when with Soulution Amp's is approx $200K. Listening to this system as above and subsequently using 211 Valve Power Amp's was of real interest, as either was an exception experience. Subsequent to experiencing the above, a SS Neurochrome Power Amp' was put into service. An Amp' cost 25 x less than Soulution and 12 x less than the 211 Valve design. The SS N'chrome was very very special it was not only parity in good impression made, as a voicing it was as attractive as a Valve Amp', but not a Valve mimic End Sound. I have been instrumental in others adopting SS N'chrome Amp's, where to date I have heard all Models and Modified Designs as well. These have been heard in a range of systems where other SS Amp's or Valve Amp's are in use. Speakers used with the N'chrome are ranging as £70K Field Coil Horns - Quad ESL' s various models - Cabinet Speakers up to £15K. Never has the N'chrome not shown how impressive it is at aiding a Speaker produce a impressive End Sound. My own System is using 845 PP Mono blocks and a SET 300b. A SS N'chrome amp' is now loaned to me and to be used in the owned system. This can be used with a Analogue and Digital Source, along with three different Speaker types. Using prior experiences, I remain very confident very good impression will be made with either Source and selected speaker.
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