2. amps-preamps
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Tubes vs. solid state.

I just switched back to my ss equipment and can't see how I listened to ss for so many years and thought that I had a good system, maybe the equipment needs to be left on for some time.
But regardless of that, the difference is startling. I know that my tube equipment is not the same degree of excellence as my ss, but now ss sounds lean, thin lifeless. Have my listening priorities changed? One thing I noticed; my listening perception adapts to the sound present in the room. As I write this the sound is improving incremently.
Anyone share the same experience??
I will post as I will continue to listen and notice differences.
Ss is simaudio p-5 w-5, tubes are Cj premier 4 amp and audio experience a2se preamp.
Are there ss preamps that will satisfy or am I smitten by bubes I mean tubes.
pedrillo
cooljazzcat
17 posts
 
For me, a tube amp crossed over at around 80hz to a quality sealed servo sub is audio-nirvana. All of the slow, flabby bass arguments against tubes go out the window with this setup.
david12
1,454 posts
 
As far as the adjudstment to new kit is concerned, I am sure that is true, both for worse and better sound. We have all had the experience, I am sure, of an excellent upgrade, which clearly advances the sound of your system. A week later, you have lost that lift, you hacve adjusted to it and it no longer registers. As an aside, I am sure that this is the reason some are on a perpetual upgrade treadmill. Change, any change, will tend to register as an improvement. That disappears after a while and you need a new fix. I wo'nt bore you with the philosophy and physiology of perception. Suffice it to say, we are hard wired for change in sensory input, not constant inputs.

As for SS/tube, it is one of the perpetual arguments. I like tubes, specifically, my SET amp. If I had to have SS, it wouuld need to be well executed Class A. In general, I find powerful class A/B, SS amps, grainy and fatiguing. Plainly there are exceptions, the Lavardin IT being one.

I think if you asked 100 audiophiles who have used both tubes and SS, a majority would prefer tubes. I do'nt know that, but I suspect that would be the answer.
ojgalli
165 posts
 
I've asked over 200 audiophiles. 47.6% prefer tubes, about 9% prefer SS, the remainder have no preference.
dividebytube
50 posts
 
I was a tube guy for years n' years - built my own (SE and PP) along with modifying plenty of vintage pieces. I had no positive experiences with solid state, having been disappointed with Adcom, Marantz or any solid state pieces.

That was until I tried some vintage Threshold gear - the S/500 and FET-10 linestage / phono units. They do sound 'different' than tube gear. I liken the difference between 35mm film (tubes) and LCD (solid state). With my Magnepan speakers and the Threshold gear I'm happy as a clam and have no urge to go back to the fussiness of tube gear.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
samzx12
1,219 posts
 
I mainly prefer tubes somewhere in the system. I love what they give to the midrange. With that being said, I am also enjoying my solid state Cayin 265Ai Class A integrated amp right now. It takes about 2.5-3hrs for it to warm up and sound its best but once it does it sounds so 3 dimensional and sweet :)
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