2. amps-preamps
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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 4 responses by zd542

zd542
5,339 posts
 
"System synergy is a "dark art" and, unfortunately, the right combination can be elusive."

That can be true, but I feel that letting component selection evolve to "dark art" status, is a choice more than anything else. Every audiophile builds 2 systems. The one in his head and the one that ends up in his listening room. You want them to be as close as possible. Otherwise, yes, it will definately turn into a dark art.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"08-28-13: Musicgeorge11
Thanks Zd542 it looks like we are all in agreement here, that is also good."

Of course we are all in agreement. People on this web site disagree with each other? I don't buy it.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"09-04-13: Ptmconsulting
I think smaller fish taste better :-)"

Solid core fish or stranded?
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Vhiner,

"I am not casting aspersions on anyone's advice here, but I stick by my earlier statement that system synergy can be elusive."

If you were referring to my post, you may have gotten the wrong meaning. I was agreeing with you. I just took your idea and went a little further with it. The dark art applies when you are building a system in your head. Things like reviews and comments on threads like this give one ideas as to what they want to do. The problem is verification occurs, more often than not, after the purchase, and not before. The darkness.

Your 2nd post is as good advice as can be given. If the system sounds good, just be careful. Its far easier to make a good system sound bad than a good system sound better.

OP,

The Krell/ML combo is a good sounding, neutral and powerful base to build a system on. They should sound very good with a very wide range of speakers and sources.
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