2. amps-preamps
  3. 1365867419

Tubes/SS Power Amps?


I've only heard, auditioned, listened to top of the line tube amps; consequently, I don't know squat about top of the line SS power amps. My problem is "heat". If the SS gets hot, I might as well have tubes.

Reviews that I've read on top of the line SS amps, always mention the heat. Rather than have a SS furnace in my listening room, I'll go with tubes. By the way, I don't think there's much difference between tubes and SS amps when you have a tube pre; especially top of the line. I'm searching for an amp in the vicinity of 100 watts per channel with balanced inputs, preferably mono blocks. Cool running SS is what I'm looking for. Can you help?
orpheus10

Showing 4 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Compared to the tube amps that I've owned, ALL SS amps run cooler, even the Class A amps. :)
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
04-15-13: Timlub
I am also fond of the newer Coda amps with a good tubed pre, I've heard very musical combinations there.

I am fond of the older Coda amps with a good tubed preamp. :)
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
@Shakedown, I'm running a Cary SLP-98P F1 with a Coda Model 11 amp (100 wpc pure Class A). The 15.0 might be about the closest current offering to the 11.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Orpheus10, there are other threads out there for what people think of reviewers. Check out:

When a Reviewer "likes" something and What reviews do you trust if any?

Personally, I don't get much out of reviews or ratings. The rating system basically says the more expensive a component is the better it sounds. I always loved it when Stereophile would rate some gear that I liked poorly, because then it would become much more affordable. :)
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