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Tube vs. SS Dilemma

Hi there Audiogon Community
Need some serious help and don’t know who to talk to but you guys. I have been upgrading my system for the past year and a half now, selling and buying stuff. First I went the tube route, bought an Atlas Magnum Amp, Cary SLP 03 Tube Preamp, was dreaming the liquidy tube dream, was amazed at the upgrade from an old and tired hybrid amp I had. Sources: estoteric DV50 for cd and vinyl via a Lenco TT and Ear Phono. Mainly listen to jazz, classic rock and some bits of classical.
But got a hold of a Mark Levinson Preamp, a 380 model and had a spare Krell 250a amp, hook the esoteric cd player to this second setup and was just blown away, I always thought that my heart would always be glowing with tubes or at least a tube/ss setup, but man am I enjoying the SS turn, the bass carácter of the Krell is addictive.
So my question is: What is happening? Am I just shocked “temporarily” by the ML/Krell combo? Should I just wait for a while and do a second and third shootout between setups? Or the fact that the ML/Krell combo is much better – in terms of the models I have vs. the tube models – part of the reasons that explain the differences and should look for better tube amp/preamp before seriously comparing the two?
As soon as I listened to the ML/Krell combo, my first thought was to keep upgrading my system the ss way, instead of the tube route, but before I make drastic changes want to hear from you guys’ experience. I don’t want to make this a tube vs. ss question, therefore I hope the details of the inquiry help steer away broad answers in that regard.
Should add the speakers I’m using with all these setups: GoldenEar triton 2’s. Thanks in advance. I always enjoy reading the forum, but now I had to ask the question before declaring this a case of mild audiophile schizophrenia.
Thanks.
musicgeorge11

Showing 9 responses by musicgeorge11

musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
Many thanks guys, I really appreciate this, and I acknowledge the fact that this state of affairs is not definite, as french fries says, maybe someday not only my equipment will change, but my musical tastes also.
Larryi raises a really good point I ignored, the character of the ML 380 amp., it tends to be more smooth and in a sense tube-like, maybe this aspect triggered the whole thing, the ML 380 stands in a reasonable middle place between my beloved tube gear and the now amazing SS setup I'm enjoying. In my last SS setup a nice Exposure 3010S2 Preamp was doing a good job, but, as mentioned before, the ML put things in a different perspective.
So for now I will enthusiastically grasp the SS horn of the dilemma and continue to explore.
But if possible would like to hear more from other members.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
Thanks Atmasphere!
Speakers are GoldenEar Triton 2's and I did and a/b/c/d comparison, i.e., played with different combos with another set of Paradigm Studio 60. But with the GoldenEar's the tube setup was not as detailed and clean - I need a better word here - when I turned the volumen up at some difficult parts of the same recording. What I mean by difficult is a section of the recording that had many things playing at once: brass section, acoustic bass, drums, female voice, etc. a grand finale of sorts. The ML/Krell was asking for more volumen in these parts, the tube setup was asking a way out. Don't know if I'm explaining myself.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
Again thanks for your comments, all of them. To answer Jond's and Phd's question: Yes - in a quite desperate attempt to cling to some tubes in my system, I was getting really nervious at this point (phono stage does not enter the negotiation, love my Ear)- I did try the Cary/Krell combo, and it was better - in the sense already described - much better that just tubes, but not as detailed and specially the soundstage with the ML is dead centre, perfect, a perfect balance, not with the Cary, it leaned more to one side. Then I started to wonder if this ensued some tube rolling research for the Cary, but I just stopped and acknowledge the fact that I just liked the SS better, then I decided to start this thread, etc.
Did I answer your questions? Let me know, I still want to learn more about this. Maybe a different tube preamp will work wonders with the Krell amp.??
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
And Mechans, thanks, let me do some more listening with the Cary SLP 03 Preamp. and the Krell combo., since many people favor the Tube Pre/SS Amp.
I might have disregarded this option too quickly. After doing some more listening I may have a better idea on what questions to ask.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
Let me take a different tack considering the comments on the GoldenEar speaker specs and the need to attend the power amp and speaker combination.
What would be a good speaker to consider if I'm using the Krell 250a and the Mark Levinson 380 preamplifier. Maybe I can consider this different speaker to get the most out of my SS setup.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
I have been vigilant on the various comments and enjoy reading them all. Several things I should address: Thanks for the tube preamp recommendations, wrote them down for future upgrades, if I found myself missing the tubes. On the other hand, Larryi raises a really good point found in my opening remarks: Maybe the 2 setups are incommensurable in the sense that the SS is more reference than the tube setup, maybe it is unfair for the tube side of the dilemma, and with Larryi’s comment I come back to that same question I had before. The different tube preamp recommendations (and tube rolling) opens a space for some tubes in the setup. And thanks Mapman and Mbovaird on all fronts, you make it necessary for me to do more research on the speakers itself.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
Thanks Zd542 it looks like we are all in agreement here, that is also good.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
I agree with Vhiner, maybe a should cool down a bit and enjoy this SS setup that I encountered almost by accident and one that had me playing music for days and days, the "tapping toes effect" indeed, and down the road answer those questions you are asking.
musicgeorge11's avatar
musicgeorge11 OP
16 posts
 
I just want to give an update for everybody who gave me sincere and patient advice on my dilemma, for me it is a dilemma, maybe for others it is a moot point, I already mentioned the reasons why.
But the thing is that I did some tube rolling in my Cary SLP 03 Preamplifier and installed 4 vintage Haltron Tubes, instead of the stock EH, Wow!!! I'm not missing the ML 380 in the setup as much, the Cary is still connected to the Krell and the GoldenEar Speakers with the Esoteric doing transport duties. I'm getting much of the benefits of the ML with some touch of tube delicacy, then if you add the benefits and joy of tube rolling, great stuff.
So again, thanks, specially to those who insisted I should try a Tube Preamp and SS Amp.
All the best guys.
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