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View Poll Results: What type of amp do you use?

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  • Solid State (Class A, AB, D, AD, etc.)

    176 60.27%
  • Tube

    62 21.23%
  • Hybrid

    16 5.48%
  • Both (you rotate SS and Tube amps in and out of your system)

    53 18.15%
Multiple Choice Poll.
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Results 101 to 150 of 174
  1. #101
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Solid state

  2. #102
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    All solid. Bryston 28b3, 4b3, and a 9bsst2.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  3. #103

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Solid state in my secondary system (Cyrus II + PSX additional power supply).
    Tube (Luxman CL 360 preamp + two bridged Mc MC 275 power amps for trebble and mids) and ss (LFAU active filter and low freq. stereo amp + PSX ad. power supply) for bass drivers.

    Enviado desde mi LG-H870 mediante Tapatalk

  4. #104
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Tube preamp, although strictly speaking, my CJ GAT Series 2 could also be described as a hybrid design, utilising only a pair of 7DJ8 tubes in the gain stage.

    fullsizeoutput_8fb by Steve Coward, on Flickr

  5. #105
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Solid state power amp!

    fullsizeoutput_901 by Steve Coward, on Flickr

  6. #106
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Beautiful Steve, what speakers are you using? I don’t remember if you mentioned it. You definitely have a beautiful system.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  7. #107
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by joeinid View Post
    Beautiful Steve, what speakers are you using? I don’t remember if you mentioned it. You definitely have a beautiful system.
    Thanks Joe.

    TAD CR-1 MKII speakers with REL Gibraltar sub.

    fullsizeoutput_8c5 by Steve Coward, on Flickr

  8. #108
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Ah, that's right. I'm sorry I forgot. Stunning.

    Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  9. #109
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    You can't really see the REL sub in the picture above. It's on the right hand side of the room, in the corner behind the speaker.

    The REL Gibraltar G2 has a 10" woven driver, not dissimilar to the TAD bass unit and 450 watts of Class AB (not digital) amplification in a sealed enclosure. I cross over at 38 Hz and keep the volume low at '10.'

    I feel it integrates particularly well, underpinning the TAD's nicely in those missing frequencies below 32 Hz (the REL quotes it's range as extending down as far as 18 Hz) and adding a sense of scale to the soundstage.

    fullsizeoutput_903 by Steve Coward, on Flickr

  10. #110
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Sweet system, Xcop!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Sean

    Lumin T2
    Gryphon Diablo 333
    Magico A3 w/ A-Pods
    AudioQuest Hurricane HC
    Shunyata PS8 & Defender & Cabling
    HRS E1

  11. #111

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Tube Preamp
    Tube Phono amp
    Tube Power Amp

  12. #112
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by Howiebrou View Post
    Tube Preamp
    Tube Phono amp
    Tube Power Amp
    Howie
    I thought you had gone back to Meridian again. You do change your set-up a bit.
    Jim

    D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
    Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
    Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
    Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
    Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
    Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
    Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest

  13. #113
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Vitus Class A for me.


    Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk

  14. #114

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I have a NYAL Moscode 150. This uses four dual trodes (6CG7, 12AU7) in the front end - driving four MOSFet's per channel - 75 watts output. Designed by George Kaye in the 80's. Superb sounding amp! Tube amps on hand: ARC D75, Dyna ST70 mod, ST70 custom-built by Herb Ward, Heath W5 pair, Paoli/Dyna MkIII pair, Golden Tube SE40, Scott 233, 299, LK72, Stromberg Carlson 6L6 Mono pair, Sanei SA560 2A3 SE, Will Vincent 45 SE, Custom-built 12V6 PP, Harmon Kardon 500, Fisher Symphonic mono receiver, Custom-built Pilot 6L6 PP, Julius Futterman H3AA's and Harvard Music H3 ... plus a few more! As you can see, I have quite a collection of tube amps! And my collection of SS amps is equally large! Variety is the spice of life!

  15. #115

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by still-one View Post
    Howie
    I thought you had gone back to Meridian again. You do change your set-up a bit.
    Hey Jim,

    I still use Sooloos and have a pair of 5200se lying around but haven’t had a full meridian system since 2009, so there

    Now i’m Using Kondo M1000 Mk2 Preamp, Kondo Kagura Monoblocks and Audio Research ref 2 phono

  16. #116
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Tube preamp with solid state amplification.
    Source component-Esoteric K-01X
    Preamp-
    Audio Research Reference 10
    Amplifier- ​D'Agostino Progression monoblocks
    Speakers-
    Wilson Audio Maxx 3
    Isolation stand-HRS SXR
    Cables-Transparent Reference speaker and Super I/C's.
    Power conditioning-Transparent Power Isolator and Transparent power cords
    Room treatment-Vicoustics

  17. #117
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Solid State Amplification


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  18. #118
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Tube Preamp
    Tube Power Amp

    Solid state amps currently in storage

  19. #119
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Tubes are too much to fuss with. Solid State


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  20. #120

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    No, everything normal set

  21. #121
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I have had tube McIntosh... Luxman... and Jolida. And, a hybrid Grant (of Grant Lumley) integrated FET with tube pre.

    Now, class D.... NuPrime ST 10 amplifier. It has some nice tube qualities and also the benefits of solid state.
    Gene

    Schiit Yggdrasil DAC / Pangea Audio Premier XL twin lead USB cable/ WyWires Blue balanced cables/ Schiit Freya S Preamp /TDSS modified NuPrime ST-10 amplifier/ Audience 1+1 V3 speakers / Audience Ar6 TSSD power conditioner. NoNoise Fanless SDD computer/ BBE 282ir / Litz cabling all around.

  22. #122
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Been using valve pretty to ss amp for years but just having a nice pair of hybrid mono blocks being made

  23. #123
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Have a look at this South African valve-solid state hybrids.

    http://www.valveaudio.co.za/

    They will be on display at the Munich show

    I heard the hybrid mono blocks and as far as I am concerned- they can compete with the best.

  24. #124
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Always been a tube guy until I got my ss ASR Emitter II about 3 years ago. By far the most musically involving amp I have ever heard, at any price, tube or ss.

    It's a ss integrated - which you might think is fairly compact, but no - 4 pieces, each about 65 lbs - a bit over 260 lbs for the whole pkg....
    DPT4ME - Dynamics, Presence & Tone for Musical Engagement; MBP (3) - stripped down for music only; Shunyata Omega & Sigma USBs; ISO REGEN w/short Curious USB links; Berkeley Alpha USB; Aqua La Scala II Optologic DAC; Schiit Yggdrasil - fully updated; Ayre Codex dac - updated; Pass Labs INT-60 integrated amp; Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE-2 preamp, Quicksilver Mono 120 amps w/Tung-Sol KT150s; Quicksilver Mid Mono amps w/Gold Lion KT77s; Fyne Audio 703s; Symposium Svelte Plus & Ultra Platforms; REL S-812 subwoofers; Duelund DCA12GA speaker cables; AV Room Service EVPs, Stein Music Harmonizers, Duelund DCA16GA & 20GA ICs; Shunyata Denali 6000S/V2; Tripp Lite PCs; Wyred 4 Sound power cords; AudioDharma cable cooker; dedicated custom room; various GIK & ASC room treatments; etc.

    www.getbettersound.com

  25. #125
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I have both. I am currently switching between a ARC VT100 MarkIII and a Odyssey Stratos Kismet, Klaus's latest greatest. The ARC is getting most of the action.

  26. #126

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Tubes are too much to fuss with? I feel great music is worth it, plus it’s a good feeling when you get everything biased and in tune.

  27. #127
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Having started with tubes in 1964, I transitioned to wholly solid state by 2000 and am currently running a c-j MF2500 in my living room and Sonsgraphe SA250's in both my home-office and bedroom systems. Probably never should have gotten rid of my ARC D-90 or Mac 75 monoblocs.
    Jim
    ________________________________________________

    Living Room: SOTA Saphhire, Origin Live Encounter arm, Ortofon 2M Black, Graham Slee phono stage, McIntosh MR77, Oppo BDP-83, Windows 10 laptop-->TEAC UD-501-->Conrad-Johnson Sonographe SC25--> c-jMF2500-->Paradigm SE-3, Shunyata Hydra 8 v2, GIK acoustic panels.

    Home Office: Windows 10 laptop-->TEAC UD-501-->Luminous Audio Axiom II passive-->c-j Sonographe SA250-->Paradigm SE-1, Shunyata Hydra.

    Bedroom: Windows 10 laptop-->TEAC UD-505-->Conrad-Johnson Premier 17LS-->Conrad-Johnson MF2500-->Paradigm Studio 20 v.5, Shyunyata Delta D6, Stillpoints & GIK acoustic panels. [On Order: Shunyata Altaira CG Hub, Alpha and Venom CGC cables]

  28. #128

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    solid state

  29. #129
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Tube amp, pre and phono. SS Dac and server

  30. #130
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I have gone through the gambit of amps... SS, Class D, Class A, Tubes, SET, but have finally settled on T+A Solid State, for now anyways ...
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  31. #131
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I really want to try that amp Randy. Just $4k + can also get an XA60.5 at times, or a XA30.8.

  32. #132
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I lean toward SS but I'm keeping an open mind regarding tube vs SS. I'll be auditioning both with the same speakers that I own this coming weekend. So I'll let my ears guide me.

  33. #133
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kingrex View Post
    I really want to try that amp Randy. Just $4k + can also get an XA60.5 at times, or a XA30.8.
    It really took me some time for my mind to get over how small physically the amplifier is. I always thought you needed a huge box with massive heat sinks, something similar to the SET amps or the McInotsh amps that I have had. But after it started breaking in I found that I was listening to it more and more and the SET amps less and less. Finally I came to realize what a truly fantastic amp the T+A truly is. Built with the best quality parts, built very solid, built to last for decades as T+A states.

    After hosting our audio club this past weekend and seeing the amp being pushed all day, for hours, and seeing it handle it without any glitches what so ever. It impressed me and it impressed the hell out of most of our club members. The Stereophile reviewer who had given the DAC an extremely high level rating was very impressed. He stated that he expected the amplifier to be good, but didn't realize just how good they are! He also told me that he felt the Stage 2 preamp worked very well with the T+A Amp and DAC and were a beautiful match to the KEF speakers!

    The only real issue with the T+A amp is that they are not well known in the US; very limited distribution ... so we can not expect top re-sale value. Not a bad thing since I am not planning on selling it any time soon .
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  34. #134

    What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kingrex View Post
    I really want to try that amp Randy. Just $4k + can also get an XA60.5 at times, or a XA30.8.
    XA60.5 mono hands down..Pass still makes XA.5 series on order if I’m not mistaken.

  35. #135
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    XA60.5 are amazing amps. Miss mine a lot. After an hour or two warm up, superb.


    Quote Originally Posted by kzhtoo View Post
    XA60.5 mono hands down..Pass still makes XA.5 series on order if I’m not mistaken.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  36. #136
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I was looking at used pair for around $6k. They aren't listed anymore. But they do come and go. I really don't need much juice. My speakers are 96 DB efficient. For me it's more about tone and balance. Does it actually sound convincingly real and natural. My tube amps do that for me at this point in time. I'm just curious about solid state. I feel the need to wet my toes again. I had a rega Osiris for a while and it had it's high points, but it had a bunch of issues too. Fatigue being one of them. It had a very small sweet spot on the volume knob.

  37. #137

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by joeinid View Post
    XA60.5 are amazing amps. Miss mine a lot. After an hour or two warm up, superb.
    LOL, after an hour or two my available listening window is over.

    But seriously, still enjoy my INT-60 in the summerhouse. Great amp.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  38. #138
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Boy, I dunno.....since reading comments about VAC amps on the Audiogon Forum I may have to rethink my bias (no pun intended) for SS amps. VAC amps seem to have a squeaky clean rep and are VERY highly thought of. Not a single negative comment from the top end to the bottom end. And they're made not far from Suncoast Audio. Annnnnd, I'll get to listen to one this weekend...woot!

  39. #139
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrassphile View Post
    Boy, I dunno.....since reading comments about VAC amps on the Audiogon Forum I may have to rethink my bias (no pun intended) for SS amps. VAC amps seem to have a squeaky clean rep and are VERY highly thought of. Not a single negative comment from the top end to the bottom end. And they're made not far from Suncoast Audio. Annnnnd, I'll get to listen to one this weekend...woot!
    That is exactly why I am so reluctant to replace my 30 y/o VAC Pre. It was a Reference Gear unit in it's day.
    -----------------
    Brian

    Main System -
    Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables

    Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables


  40. #140

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Mostly Nagra VPA 845 PP tube amps, but sometimes i rotate in my FW J-2 when it's really hot outside. At 60 watts, the Nagras are over powered for my Duo Mezzos but the FW J2 at 25 W is more than enough.

    Both sound great but the edge goes to the Nagra VPAs for resolution, bass and midrange.
    The FW is dead quiet however and no slouch in resolution or bass. Maybe a bit thin on midrange, but I could easily live with it if the Nagra's were not better.
    Avantgarde Duo Mezzo,
    Nagra VPA 845 mono blocks, Audio Note UK Shinri 300B mono blocks, AudioPax KT88 monoblocks
    Conrad Johnson GAT, Zesto Tessera
    Esoteric K-01X, Esoteric N-01,

    Clearaudio Innovation TT,
    Graham Phantom 2 Supreme Arm/Ortofon Anna, Bobs Sky 2 SUT
    Clearaudio Universal Arm/Benz LPS
    Minus K isolation platform

    Galibier TT,
    Graham Phantom Elite Arm/Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement,

    Kubala Elation Cabling, Shunyata Trident 3, Typhon QR
    Zoethecus stands,

  41. #141
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    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    SS výkonový zesilovač PMA PA4 "Big Brother" (2x200 / 8) and passive preamp Big Hattor dual mono

  42. #142
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    Location
    Netherlands
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    49

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Other? I have a four tower speaker system for which I use tube amplifiers for the main towers and solid state for the bass towers.
    Jan

    Dedicated room: Confidence Mansion
    Electronics: Trinnov Altitude32 | VAC Signature 200 IQ mono’s | Parasound Halo JC-1’s + A51 | Synology DS918+/DX517 (48TB) | Oppo BDP-105D / UDP-203 CM Stufe2
    Speakers: Von Schweikert VR10-MKII system | Dynaudio Confidence C4 | Velodyne DD-18
    Projection: JVC DLA-NX9 CM | Stewart 123” StudioTek 1.3 G3
    Various: Artesania Exoteryc 3L + Aire racks | Schnerzinger Emi + Giga Piccolo A3 | PS Audio Stellar Power Plant 3 | iPad Pro 12.9” (2018) | Roon
    Cables: AudioQuest Huricane EC | Nordost Frey speakercable | AudioQuest Diamond RJ/E | AudioQuest Diamond HDMI


  43. #143

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    My latest amps are 2016 AudioNote UK Shinri 300B monoblocks.

    Amazing 8 watts - Incredible midrange, but gives up nothing in Bass or HF resolution to my 30 watt KT88 AudioPax or 50 watt 845 Nagra VPAs driving my 107 db Avantgardes.

    The Nagras sounded better than the Shinri's on 96 db AudioNote AN-E speakers, so as usual, system matching is key.
    Avantgarde Duo Mezzo,
    Nagra VPA 845 mono blocks, Audio Note UK Shinri 300B mono blocks, AudioPax KT88 monoblocks
    Conrad Johnson GAT, Zesto Tessera
    Esoteric K-01X, Esoteric N-01,

    Clearaudio Innovation TT,
    Graham Phantom 2 Supreme Arm/Ortofon Anna, Bobs Sky 2 SUT
    Clearaudio Universal Arm/Benz LPS
    Minus K isolation platform

    Galibier TT,
    Graham Phantom Elite Arm/Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement,

    Kubala Elation Cabling, Shunyata Trident 3, Typhon QR
    Zoethecus stands,

  44. #144
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Seattle Washington USA
    Posts
    1,168

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Is there really a difference between 8 and 50 watts at moderate listening levels. Especially when comparing tube amp to tube amp. Especially on an efficient speaker. My gut, no science involved says high power really starts at 200 watts and up. 300 is really the real vault into high power.

    A lot of trophy systems are way more powerful than first blush says. Even Zu speakers. Your flea amp is only driving a mid and teeeter. A built in 500 watt amp is driving the woofer.

  45. #145
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    232

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kingrex View Post
    Is there really a difference between 8 and 50 watts at moderate listening levels. Especially when comparing tube amp to tube amp. Especially on an efficient speaker. My gut, no science involved says high power really starts at 200 watts and up. 300 is really the real vault into high power.

    A lot of trophy systems are way more powerful than first blush says. Even Zu speakers. Your flea amp is only driving a mid and teeeter. A built in 500 watt amp is driving the woofer.
    I see no problem with a speaker limited to midbass up demands. Not with a speaker that goes below 80 hz. I think it was Vic Khomenko or Curl who stated they had measured micro demands requiring huge amounts of power. I have no reference to what speakers or listening levels, but the point is under many circumstances the demands on the amp can be quite surprising power wise. I personally think the very low wattage SET's are inadequate in so many ways. YMMV
    Main System: Analog - Linn LP12, Origin Live DC motor and Controller, SME V arm, Benz Ruby H 2 cartridge, Wright Sound preamp. Digital - Intel NUC I-7, 16 gig ram, Jriver media center 24, Wyrd4 Sound 2V2 SE Dac, Fathom Hard Drives.
    H-Cat Version 9 preamp, ARC Reference 75 amp, Custom line source speakers - 10 SB Acoustics midwoofers, 10 Fountek ribbon tweeters. JL Audio Fathom f112 Subs
    Wire - T G Audio, Shunyata, Synergistic Research , Audioquest, Lewis silver foil, Duelund, Transparent.

  46. #146
    Member
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    Jun 2020
    Location
    Philadelphia
    Posts
    49

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Someday I’m going to try some tubes, however I want get a nice solid-state system first. Something about buying tubes forever doesn’t gel with me. But I’ll take it as an option.

  47. #147
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Albany, NY
    Posts
    13

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Hybrid - Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse with Vandersteen solid state subwoofer amp built into my speakers.

    Other than a short fling with a Lyngdorf I have had a tube preamp since I heard the ARC SP 6B which I owned for years.
    __________________________________________________ _______________

    Room: shared use, American Clay on walls and ceiling
    Speakers: Vandersteen 5A Carbon
    Amp: Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse Stereo
    Preamp: Aesthetix Calypso Eclipse
    Source: Aesthetix Romulus Eclipse, CAD CAT
    Ground/Isolation: CAD Ground Control GC3 and GC1, Gigafoil V4 with Keces P3
    Cables: Audioquest Hurricane on DAC and CAT, Audioquest Earth, Audioquest Castlerock, Audioquest Diamond Ethernet

  48. #148
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    786

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Solid State - Pass Labs, so they are like tubes

  49. #149
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Staten Island, NY
    Posts
    60

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    I use both 300b monolbocks and FW SIT-3

  50. #150

    Re: What type of amps do you use? Tube? Solid State? Both? Hybrid?

    Class A solid state and Tubes. Both main system and headphones. Some genres I strongly prefer tubes on and solid state is more for convenience really.

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