will changing to solid-state make the bass in my wilson sophias better at low volume?


I've noticed that my sophias really shine when they're cranked up a bit, which is great, but I'm wondering if I can't get more of that, esp. the bass, at lower volumes. my tube amps (Cary Slam-100s in triode) are ~50w/ch, more than the 25w/ch minimum wilson recommends. it seems to me that I could either get a sub or try a solid-state power amp. it'd be easy enough to try either/both, but I'm curious what people have to say. thanks!
musicslug

Showing 1 response by artemus_5

Firstly, I have no experience with either your amp or speakers. That said, I notice you are trying for more bass with a  triode amp. I suspect the triode will not give you that bass because they usually cut off the bass in favor of midrange emphasis . So, IMO FWIW YMMV you may be trying to get something a tubed triode amp does not readily give.
Second, I've heard all my audiophile life that SS gives better bass. So you can imagine my surprise when I bought my 1st tube amp  about 12 yrs ago and finding out it did BETTER than the SS I had been using the previous 40-50 yrs. Yes, the bass is more "flabby". But having played drums in local bands for 50 yrs, I can tell you that the tubed bass sound more realistic to what I heard while playing with a live bass player (Classic-hard rock). My latest amp, Sachs Kootenay 120 does great on bass...and midrange 7 treble too. I doubt I could go back to SS now.