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Integrateds: Warm sounding SS vs Hybrid

I have recently had Bryston B60 and Unison Unico amps. They each had their strengths. Overall I liked the Unico better, its more forward, fuller sound and a wider soundstage, due to its tube preamp. However, I wasn't enamored with the tube hiss I was getting, I realize that there might have been a problem with the amp, but I have read about others having this problem. With no music playing, or very quiet passages in classical music, the hiss could be heard from the listening position6-8 feet away.

I have read reviews of some SS amps where their sound is described as "tube-like".

My questions are:

1) Has anyone who had owned tubed gear heard a SS integrated that sounds like tubes?

2) Was my experience with Unison tube hiss likely due to faulty gear/tubes, etc?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
sandman012
rayden1972
22 posts
 
I completely agree with Elevick. If you want tube like sound in SS your best bet is pure class A components.
facten
2,764 posts
 
Second the Portal Panache , and also Plinius - have the 800 not 9200 but still very good.

Very good tube integrated (to my ears) at reasonable prices Soundquest SQ88 and Consonnance Cyber 100 Signature , especially with reasonably priced NOS tubes
brawny
51 posts
 
Hi,

"1) Has anyone who had owned tubed gear heard a SS integrated that sounds like tubes?"

Yes, the Red Wine Audio Signature 30.2 or 70.2 are the closest to tubes that your going to get from a solid-state piece. Another warm/tubey sounding solid-state piece is the First Watt F-3, but only puts out 10-15 watts.

"2) Was my experience with Unison tube hiss likely due to faulty gear/tubes, etc?"

It could have been the gain structure of the piece. A high gain structure can sometimes give you a hiss. What is the gain specs of the integrated in question? Does it have 25db to 35 db of gain?
wireless200
415 posts
 
I just added a McIntosh c2300 tube preamp to my Mc 402 ss power amp. The power amp was already smooth but the tube pre gives it that tube sound. Just really nice if you want the tube sound without the maintenance that comes with a tube power amp. I've read where people say the amp is where you get the sound but my experience and ears say otherwise.
sandman012 OP
50 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I should mention that I would prefer the integrated to have a remote, for volume at least. So the Jungson and the Plinius seem to be best suggestions thus far.

I am reitcent to go all tubes at this point, thus the hybrid seems a good way to go; but there just aren't many hybrid units.

From preliminary resonses, it seems that the Unico should have had that loud a hiss and its tubes or something else was faulty.
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