Solid state to tube


I have been a solid state guy since my start in this hobby. Over the years I have built a few systems and have used mainly older YBA seperates pre and power for my front end.

I also have a pair of musetex MT101 mono blocks from Meitner audio which I use as well.

My speakers are reference 3a lintegre

I am thinking of moving to a all tube system 

. However I have little experience

I have looked at Quick Silver and a small boutique builder called Will Vincent. Have not heard anything yet. I thought I might inquire here first for any suggestions from tube savvy members

ecpninja

If you want no tube hassles, go for a model that uses 300B’s.  The new Western Electrics come with a 5 year warranty.  They are $1,500 a pair, but well worth it IMO in terms of SQ.

How do the class A/B amps compare to tubes since they have some class A output like tubes do? 

I just made the jump after years with solid state. I bought an ARC 3SE phono stage and immediately noticed the difference and the synergy with my turntable and the type of music I primarily play (1950s and 60s jazz.)

Based on this experience, I added an ARC preamp and power amp and am thrilled with the sound, even in these early days of tube burn-in. Of note, even my wife noticed the difference and she typically never hears the difference. 

 

 

@ronboco 

Both tube and solid state amplifiers if push-pull can be either class A bias or class AB. If they are single ended circuits (Rather than push-pull) then they are pure class A by default. For example, all SET or SEP tube  amplifiers are exclusively pure class A circuits. First Watt has some solid state single ended class A amplifiers.

Charles