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Tubes vs Solid State

I have have been listening to music all my life but have only recently started experimenting with different amplifier and/or speakers/component combinations. I have recently moved from Parasound JC 1's to Classe Cam 400 monoblocks which I have both loved (maybe the prior a bit more) and are contemplating another move. I have been very intrigued by tube monoblocks and have the opportunity now to move to ARC ref 600's. I can also get Mark Levinson 33's for about the same cost. I am just uncertain about the Ref 600's as I am worried that I might be disappointed in the tube sound.

Can someone with more experience perhaps help me out here ? I am using the amps as part of a home-theatre setup driving 802 d's and other 800 diamond fronts and rears. I would really appreciate some good advice here.
gfdt

Showing 5 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I`m a person who generally prefers tube power amplifiers but it all depends on the speaker being driven. I agree with Atmasphere,Unsound and others in this situation.Your speaker design seems to demand SS amps given it`s difficult load characteristics.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Mechans,I`ve wondered about that very same issue for years,why so many 4 ohm speakers on the market? Having owned higher powered SS amps with lower impedance/effiiency speakers and then moving to lower power tubes with a higher ohm load and efficiency. I clearly find the latter approach better for me(more nautral/real sounding). As Atamasphere pointed out in a different thread reccently, it`s more difficult to build a good higher efficiency-higher impedance speaker.My current speaker is 94db and has a 14 ohm load and it`s fabulous.
Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Unsound,
It`s simply what works best for us as individuals. Many would share your viewpoint and many others mine. Fortunately we all can be happy either way.
Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Bradluke0,
Your experiences and evolution mirrors mine,there`s no turning back.

Gfdt, You are most likely better off with SS amps given your goals with the current setup/speakers you have.There`s really nothing difficult about tube amplifiers, with the right speakers you`ll probably love them.
Best of L uck,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Syntax,
Your Wilson example is a good one. Higher load impedance seems more important and beneficial than just looking at a speaker`s sensitivity. It certainly seems the higher the speaker`s ohm-load, the better tube amps(in particular) will sound. Atmasphere`s explanation makes much sense. The sound does become more alive, dynamic and natural.
Regards,
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