2 channel Poll: Vote: Do you use Tubes or SS?

I agree with Sugarbrie's philosophy and use a Sonic Frontiers Line 2 pre-amp (6 tubes) and a SS McCormack DNA2DX Rev. A amp. The tube pre is not much of a hassle (BTW, it's in for up-grade to SE as I write:>) and I even look forward to some "tube rolling", and the Rev. A McCormack has a very smooth "tube like" character to it.

I tried a SF Power 2 tube amp for 30 days and liked it's somewhat warm relaxed sound on "mellow" music, but when I put the McCormack back in my system, I realized it was no contest-- the DNA amp was much faster, more dynamic, had much better PRT, excelled at bass control, and is not fatiguing. For any fast tempo music I much preferred the McCormack.

I've now got Van. 5 speakers that have built in subwoofers and 400 watt amps to drive them from 125 HZ down, so I'd like to try a tube amp with the V5s, but my expectation is that a tube amp would still lack in the PRT department, and rhythm is very important to me. Cheers. Craig

I believe in Tube amps and SS preamp. Use your amps for your color or flavor. Make everything as neutral as possible and then change amps as you want something different.

While I tend to favor the sound of tube gear, especially that certain quality of "lushness" or "bloom" that tubes can often produce in the midrange, I have solid state equipment in my system (Classe amp/preamp). For me, solid state is simply less finicky to deal with.

Both. Tube (BAT VK3i) pre and SS (McCormack DNA1 Rev. B) amp. Cant see dealing with the expense and hassle of output tubes, but the small signal tubes are long life, no biasing, etc.

TUBES.... Rogue 99 linestage/phono stage
SOLID STATE.... Pass Labs Aleph-3 AMP
EQUALS= HUGE AIRY SOUNDSTAGE