life after tubes?

sucks2beme
sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
edited May 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
So I've been mulling over making life simple.
Part of that is going to a SS integrated instead of a tube amp/preamp.
AM I crazy? I'm willing to give up a bit of sound quality for just turning stuff
on and off. And NOT getting easy baked while listening to music.
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
Post edited by sucks2beme on
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited May 2014
    Can you really go wrong either way? :)

    My Vincent pre-amp & Amp are both Hybrid's with tubes in the input and output stages. I really love there sound.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited May 2014
    There's some fine sounding solid state stuff - dollar for dollar, IMO, you get more bliss for your Gelt from vacuum tubes, though.

    I don't have any trouble turning stuff on and off -- two switches takes care of mine (the hifi circuit's on a switch - but I turn on the power amp itself separately).

    Yeah, heat can be an issue -- it's not too bad with a SE 2A3 power amplifier, and a very simple, two-tube (low voltage) preamp. The vacuum tube tuner doesn't put out much heat -- and everything else's soiled state.

    So, I vote, no, you're not crazy.
    Is this a poll?

    ;-)
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited May 2014
    life after tubes...... is no life at all? Did I get it right? Do I win a prize?
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2014
    mhardy, can I blame you? After reading the vintage thread, I bought the 1150 Marantz.
    That sounded good enough to get me thinking. It was better than any other vintage piece
    I've run through here. And the question became, could I live with a decent SS
    integrated? The answer seems to be yes.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,421
    edited May 2014
    You can take my tubes when you can pry them from my cold, dead hands.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,569
    edited May 2014
    Yes, indeed there is.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2014
    F1nut wrote: »
    Yes, indeed there is.

    This
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited May 2014
    Not sure my brain can handle a rig without ANY tubes in it. It's a question of balance; SS/tubes
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    edited May 2014
    Just went from a tube integrated that I've had in the system for 8yrs to a DAC/Pre and Parasound A21. Not feeling too sorry at all :^ )
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited May 2014
    I like tubes just fine in the signal chain, but not providing the power. I require solid state power.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited May 2014
    Life after tubes ? Sure there is.

    I started off in tubes, went SS, and now wanted some flavor of both. SS has come along way since the 70'S in SQ....so have tubes too. I get where your coming from on the simplicity, too many tubed pieces becomes like spinning vinyl, a headache. Too many variables that can play havoc on the sound.

    Tubed pre's and SS amps seems to be the happy medium for a lot of folks. I have a tube hybrid amp and can't decide on a tube pre or SS myself.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,166
    edited May 2014
    Tube pre-amp, SS amp will give you best of both worlds you are looking for. Tube pre's are easy peasy.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited May 2014
    I agree, tube pre and SS amp, and I have settled on that combo for the living room and the mancave systems.

    Unless you have lots of extra money for equipment, tube replacement, and energy. Or you need to heat a room.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited May 2014
    You could always go with an integrated with tubes built in, like a Peactree Nova125 that has a tube buffer + icepower amps.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited May 2014
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    mhardy, can I blame you? After reading the vintage thread, I bought the 1150 Marantz.
    That sounded good enough to get me thinking. It was better than any other vintage piece
    I've run through here. And the question became, could I live with a decent SS
    integrated? The answer seems to be yes.

    Did I explicitly recommend a Marantz 1150?!? If so, I musta been eatin' the brown acid. Glad you like it, though ;-)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited May 2014
    Don't know why you would consider moving to SS "giving up a bit of sound quality."
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited May 2014
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Don't know why you would consider moving to SS "giving up a bit of sound quality."

    I think he was simply suggesting that he prefers the sound of tubes over SS.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    edited May 2014
    Good gear is good gear. SCompracer has done the tube thing, and now is all soiled state--I don't think you'll find him saying he's missing anything he had before, and in fact I think he's as happy as he's been. Someone tried to tell him that his system must somehow be lacking without some glass in it--I'll attest to the fact that that statement is hogwash, painted with way too broad a brush.

    I say this as the very happy owner of a Manley Shrimp tube pre myself!
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited May 2014
    agfrost wrote: »
    I say this as the very happy owner of a Manley Shrimp tube pre myself!

    Well then you can't possibly be happy, and since we live fairly close I'd be happy to come pick it up before you toss in the dumpster. LOL

    This whole tube vs. SS thing is stupid. Everone has different tastes in both camps and neither is rendered any less superior than the other. The OP simply claimed his preference for tubes and is under the impression SS can't compete. It's up to you guys to steer him to the right pieces to change that perception.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2014
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Did I explicitly recommend a Marantz 1150?!? If so, I musta been eatin' the brown acid. Glad you like it, though ;-)

    Not specificly, I did however run through a couple of others as well. The Marantz seems to like the Proacs.
    The others, not so much.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited May 2014
    ahh... that sort of thing definitely does happen. I was quite surprised to discover empirically my good ol' Polk Audio Monitor Series Model 7A did not sound very nice at all driven by an EICO HF-81 (pp EL84 stereo integrated amplifier).
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2014
    The ARC vt60 is a hard act to follow. There are SS amps I'm sure can match it,
    just NOT within the budget. The vt60 used was a rare find. Most stuff with the ARC
    label are $$$$$$$.
    As far as the Marantz goes, I'm sure that part of why it works so well in the system is
    the fact the amp section is in pretty good condition. DC offset and idle current don't drift at all.
    set it and it stayed PUT. Not like some other older stuff that's been through here.
    The 1150 is a bit different than the other Marantz stuff I've had as well. If memory
    serves me right, that was the case back in the 70's as well. I'm sure a Sansui au-719
    would be a good choice as well, if one that wasn't dipped in gold could be found.
    (not literally, but given their asking prices, sure could be).
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited May 2014
    I would love an old Sansui Au-717-719 myself. Some of those old integrateds were built like a tank. Still, for what people are asking for them, they can't hold a candle to a used Parasound or B&K amp for roughly the same price....and 30+ years newer to boot.

    The Arc is a nice amp, but a McCormack might change your thinking on SS power...and give you more options on speakers.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited May 2014
    I like Peachtree products a lot for a good integrated. Very warm and musical, tube pre and great dac.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2014
    There's definitely life after tubes. I was hardcore tubes for the past 11 years until 2 weeks ago when I got a ss receiver that has a sound signature I really dig. I don't miss tubes at all. Though the cdp I'm using at the moment has a tube buffer stage.

    Good sound is good sound. Doesn't matter if it's coming from ss or tubes.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,166
    edited May 2014
    ....Duplicate post, lol
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter