SS is working out nicely for me now

organ

It's been a week since the fuse in my tube amp blew and I've been using a NAD C270 ss amp together with the Golden Tube Audio pre amp and I'm really enjoying the sound now. You really do get the best of both worlds with this combo. I still prefer tubes all the way. With the Dyna, I get a more expansive soundstage, more 3d presentation, more air, , more body, smoothness and warmth. I also feel the Dyna brings out the emotions a lot better. But this NAD is doing very well. Dynamics have increased, insane bass, more high freq extension and the usual ss stuff.

When I first switched amps, the difference was obvious, especially the highs but once I got used to it, it's all smooth sailing. I'll see how long I can keep this combo going.

So to those curious about adding a tubed pre to your SS amp, give it a try. It sounds fantastic.

Maurice

marker

I totally agree! I really dig my Jolida hybrid intergrated. As you said, the best of both worlds.

organ

That's awesome, Marker. What type of driver tube are you using? What brand? Rolling driver tubes is so much fun because they're cheap and make a big difference.

Maurice

marker

Sovtek 12AX7LPS

TroyD

Wait till you have heard some decent tube units.

BDT

madmax

Organ,
I think the high power fairy has taken over. You don't need SS, just more tube power.
madmax

W WALDECKER

any amplifier that is biased heavily into class A whether it is tubed or solid state usually will sound pretty good. but much of it depends on the overall system synergy. what sounds great in one system may not in another. that is why i try to audition something in my own system before i pull the trigger. i am glad that the nad ss amp and golden tube preamp are working out for you.i put a musical fidelity x-10v3 tube buffer with 6112 twin triode subminature tubes between my tempest preamp and my extreme monoblocks and i like it enough to leave it in my system. tubes can be a good thing.

organ

Marker,
Cool. Those are my fav X7.

Sean,
The amp is alright. I just need to get my **** off the couch and buy a fuse. A lot of people say that the upgraded front ends (after market) for the ST-70 will outperform some of the best out there. The ST-70 is still the most popular vintage tube amp for tweakers and DIY'ers. I love the way it sounds in the stock form so I'm too scared to try out the other boards.

Troy,
I really enjoy my Dyna and it's still my fav amp. I plan to keep using it for many years. I'm just playing around with ss because it's different and it does a few things beter when I'm listening to metal.

Madmax,
I think you're right. I can't say the Dyna is lacking in power and dynamics, it just does dynamics in a different way. The Dyna shows off its dynamics by sounding fuller with more bloom. The presentation has more body. Now, the way my NAD does dynamics a little different. I get that little bit of extra bite from cymbals, snares, etc, especially rim shots. Bass is tighter and goes lower. But it still sounds more dry and thin compared to the tubes.

I plan to buy the filter cap upgrade for this amp from dynaco-doctor.com It increases the capacitance of the amp. Those who have tried it say it increases the bass performance and dynamics.

WW,
That's cool. I was considering that MF buffer stage on the FM section but decided to pass. I want to save some cash and don't feel the need to upgrade anything. You're absolutely right. Tubes are a good thing for any audio system. If you're running SS power, adding tubes somewhere upstream really helps.

Maurice

TroyD

If you are listening to metal does it really matter what you are using for gear?

Different strokes for left handed people but there is a lot of crap out there I wouldn't waste tube life on.

BDT

W WALDECKER

i dont listen to much of it but if you are particular about sound quality and most of us here are. in my experience metal is one of the hardest types of recordings to voice your system to. this topic could call for a whole new thread!

organ

Sean,
Yeah, the Dyna stuff are spectacular. The mids is so creamy and lifelike. Can't wait to get the cap upgrade and pimp her up.

So what's this amp you've found that you can live with? Never thought I'd hear that from you. Well, at least not this soon.

Troy,
C'mon, you know that there are excellent recordings out there no matter what type of music you're listening to. I don't listen to all that stuff they play on MTV. None of the bands I listen to are from North America. A lot of them have amazing production. Take the band Therion for example. A Swedish symphonic metal band with a full blown orchestra and choir. Features almost 200 people of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra and choir) + band members. The sound is stellar. Just as good as some of the best classical stuff I have. Seems to be the trend for many European metal bands to include full blown symphonies.

WW,
Yes, it was hard but I finally found something that works. What I try to extract from metal recordings are dynamics and the raw energy.

Maurice

TroyD

I can (and will) say that the sonic quality of *most* metal is pure crap. Is there good stuff out there? Sure, there probably is. Again, a vast majority of it I find unlistenable and won't waste tube life on it.

BDT

Loud & Clear

Some of the very finest musicians going are to be heard on metal recordings.

madmax

Some of the older metal like early Metalica and Marilyn Manson (not too familiar with metal today) is pretty awesome sounding, especially with SDA's, tubes and vinyl... Most I'm familiar with is crap though.
madmax