Tubes Vs. Transistors

[audio]

http://www.milbert.com/tstxt.htm

[Claus]

Interesting article...

I had tube McIntosh and VTL tube amps for A/B testing at home... sometimes they can "sound" terrific, but I do prefer solid state amps from Jeff Rowland, Krell or Mark Levinson.

I don't like tweakin' with tubes...

[Tony Plachy]

Interesting article, and I think it is still true today but to a lesser extent with modern circuit designs (the article is 1972). Many reviews today comment on how tube and transistor design is converging in sound characteristics. I am tube man but I certainly have heard good solid state.

[lsupro]

Originally posted by Claus
Interesting article...

I had tube McIntosh and VTL tube amps for A/B testing at home... sometimes they can "sound" terrific, but I do prefer solid state amps from Jeff Rowland, Krell or Mark Levinson.

I don't like tweakin' with tubes...

I would love to compare a tube system and Levinson amped system. I have heard them separately... but would love to do an A/B..

[aashton]

Originally posted by lsupro


I would love to compare a tube system and Levinson amped system. I have heard them separately... but would love to do an A/B..

Which tube system ? ;)

All the best - Andrew

[lsupro]

Originally posted by aashton


Which tube system ? ;)

All the best - Andrew


Well, since I am dreaming..


MAC, WAVOC, Quicksilver and every other high end system... all in one room.. checkabvle at the press of a button...

[Scott Wheeler]

In every head to head comparison i have ever listened to between tubed electronics and SS I have always preferred the tubes. Even in comparisons where the "common knowledge" was that the SS would have an advantage, for example with Apogee speakers. The "common knowledge" was that Apogees were at their best with high end SS amplification. In a comparison of all tubed Audio Research amplification vs. Krell amplification , I preferred the Audio Research on the Apogees. I am not going to draw any global truisms from my experience. It seems every time I do that I experience the contrary. But i have done enough comparisons to safely say i will probably prefer tubes to SS in most situations.

[lsupro]

I love the sound of Levinsen amps... have for years...

just not fimilar enough with tubes to say I like them better... Maybe in time..maybe not.

[Claus]

Originally posted by lsupro


I would love to compare a tube system and Levinson amped system. I have heard them separately... but would love to do an A/B..

I had Mark Levinson's No.33 monos in my listening room, but unfortunately no tubes for comparison... they sounded fantastic... they belong to the best amps, what I've ever heard beside of Krell's Master Reference monos!

But in my memories... no tube amp comes close to the natural, balanced and musical authority of the Krell amps!

[lsupro]

Originally posted by Claus


But in my memories... no tube amp comes close to the natural, balanced and musical authority of the Krell amps!

Would love to hear some.....

[Tony Plachy]

I have heard Krells and I have heard many tubes, the tubes are more natural

[Claus]

Originally posted by ALP
I have heard Krells and I have heard many tubes, the tubes are more natural

Do you have heard Krell's Master Reference... and reproducing an orchestra? I have never heard such a realistic performance... these monos are no comparison against earlier designs... I have found no weakness... sorry, the only weakness is the price!

[VU Master]

I'm still waiting for someone to state "Tubes suck, transistors are better". Has this ever happened?

Just wondering.

[audio]

Originally posted by David Kulka
I'm still waiting for someone to state "Tubes suck, transistors are better". Has this ever happened?

Just wondering.


Tubes suck, transistors are better.:D

[lsupro]

Originally posted by prix



Tubes suck, transistors are better.:D


yea...tubes suck, transistors suck, radio sucks, ipods suck... the whole world sucks... :D

[sgb]

Hi Bill,

There is a pair of the Krell Master Reference amps here in town that Claus is referring to in his post. They belong to a long-time friend of mine, and are part of the most outrageously expensive home music/theater system in the southeastern USA. The system is worth upwards of $1/2 Million at suggested retail prices. They drive a pair of Wilson Audio Grand Slamms. The associated equipment not listed is, obviously, commensurate in price and reputation to the amps and speakers.

Would I trade the sound you've heard at my house for this? No. Could I accept that there are those with different listening priorities who would prefer that sound to what I have here? Sure, why not? I prefer the sound of tubes over SS simply because even the most rudimentary tube amplifier has a robust palpability to it that has never been equalled by any SS amp I've ever heard. Moreover, it is much easier to tailor the sound to one's own personal taste by choosing a brand of tubes that offers the sound one wants. The differences can be far more dramatic (and less costly) than comparing the sound of various speaker and interconnect cables to find the sound you like best.

Are quality SS components more accurate than tube equipment? Maybe, maybe not. While I find that tube equipment usually sounds preferable to me, that's not to say that I think it's more accurate. And, if the Krells in the aforementioned system are accurate, then that's not what I would find musically satisfying.

I once had an opportunity to drive a pair of the Carver Amazing Loudspeakers with my MS-190. The sound was dreadful, but it was not either component's fault. It was just a bad match.

[Metralla]

Originally posted by Claus
I had tube McIntosh and VTL tube amps for A/B testing at home... sometimes they can "sound" terrific, but I do prefer solid state amps from Jeff Rowland, Krell or Mark Levinson.
I'm not surprised with those Puppies - they are a tough load.

Regards,
Geoff

[lsupro]

Thanks sgb.

Your setup was indeed very nice. Fat, warm, detailed, very transparent. On equal par (from memory after 4 years) to a friend in FL Levinsen?Watt Puppes system. Tubes are so new to me. I have no knowledge on tapering a sound with differnt types of tube. Franly it is a foriegn concept coming from a SS world. All I do know is that when I change the tube in my transmitter at the sstation, I get better bass response. (wish I could buy one every year, quite frankly)

Man its fun learning this stuff!!!

Thanks again for your post. Chris M, you, and me are going to have to get together sometime soon!

[Dave]

Originally posted by David Kulka
I'm still waiting for someone to state "Tubes suck, transistors are better". Has this ever happened?

Just wondering.
Has now!:laugh:

[sgb]

Originally posted by lsupro
Thanks sgb.

Thanks again for your post. Chris M, you, and me are going to have to get together sometime soon!

It'll be a while. Donna & I are going to be laying some tile and hardwood flooring in various parts of the house over the next several weekends.

[audio]

I don't know. I've always been a solid state dude, but the information in that article regarding harmonics and musicality has got me convinced that solid state is NOT the way to go. I spoke with my friend who I've been making a deal with and I'll be picking up the Harman Kardon A50K integrated tube amplifier tonight. Hopefully, it sounds as good as I think it will.

[lsupro]

Originally posted by sgb


It'll be a while. Donna & I are going to be laying some tile and hardwood flooring in various parts of the house over the next several weekends.


Good luck witht he project. I can't wait to see it when complete!

[Claus]

I have heard an Jadis system (french audiophile company) a long time ago... the best midrange what I've ever heard from any tube amplifiers.

[Metralla]

Originally posted by Claus
I have heard an Jadis system (french audiophile company) a long time ago... the best midrange what I've ever heard from any tube amplifiers.
Indeed. But at what price?

Claus, I have to say that you have luxury tastes in all your toys.

Regards,
Geoff

[Claus]

Originally posted by Metralla

Indeed. But at what price?

Claus, I have to say that you have luxury tastes in all your toys.

Regards,
Geoff

In an earlier thread I posted... I left the High End building! Yes, it's true I always check (just for fun*) new and sometimes very expensive high end gear in my listening rooms, but I haven't purchased any new thing since 7 years.

* My dealer say I should return into the high end...