My lack of experience tube vs SS amps

apc

I recently tried to sell a preamp that I liked with a tube amp, but I really like with a SS receiver. Thought the pre had some interesting features that could brighten a muddy recording or dampen a bright one. It also has a nice phono section, which I use frequently.

I sold the tube amp and thought I'd trade the pre, but one day I decided to run it through an older Marantz receiver. Quite a difference it made! The various settings make a more notable difference using the solid state amp.

The point, finally, of this post is that I don't understand why the difference would seem so remarkable between the two types of amplification. I would have thought the pre would have had more major effect on the tube. Just goes to show how much I don't know about this stuff.

Jim Shearer

The final sound depends on the interaction of all the components. And there is extreme variability in the reaction of different speakers to different amps. I generally like classic SS receivers, but I have one pair of speakers which I built that sound truly pitiful with any SS amp I have tried. Put tubes on those speakers and they sing so sweetly you wouldn't believe that you're hearing the same speakers.

You will find folks here who despise certain brands of amps--perhaps because they don't work well with their speakers.

You have to find the combination that works for you in your room.

Cheers, Jim

mhardy6647

Nothing... nothing beats "ears-on" experience.

Like wine tasting... it gets easier and easier to appreciate differences and discern quality the more you do it.

Very similar hobbies, actually. Although it's much safer to spend a day listening and then drive!

tonyb

mmm...wine tasting and tube swapping....count me in.

As previous stated,synergy between componants is key. How do you know what will work in your own environment ? Trial and error, thats whats fun about this hobby.