Tube, Solid State, Other?

UltraFast69

UltraFast69

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
1,926
Location
Seattle
Is the best of both worlds when you blend tubes and solid state?

If so, what are you running?

If not, why?





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
My first decent setup included a Sound Valves 101i Tube Pre with an Odyssey Stratos Plus and was really enjoyable for the cost and drove my Dynaudio 82s nicely.

My main system now is all tube pre, with a Hybrid amp, again very enjoyable.

I have yet had the chance to have a full tube amp or full tube integrated
 
When I want maximum enjoyment, I opt for all tube amp and preamp. Typically though I enjoy playing music for hours on end. When I know that I am mostly going for the long haul, I’ll switch out the amp and use solid state. It’s still great but I worry less about wear and tear.
 
joeinid said:
When I want maximum enjoyment, I opt for all tube amp and preamp. Typically though I enjoy playing music for hours on end. When I know that I am mostly going for the long haul, I’ll switch out the amp and use solid state. It’s still great but I worry less about wear and tear.
Click to expand...

There's that tube worry again...
 
I've got a hybrid system. MC 2301 power amps have SS input circuits and tube outputs. My C 1100 has a hybrid MC preamp section - SS input, tube output. So even though my components are labeled 'Tube' they are hybrids. I like the way they sound.

With three MC 2301's in the mix, a tube change out is 24 KT-88's and 6 12 AT7's. That's not counting the 12 tubes in the preamp. Wear and tear is just a budget item, kind of like having a phono cartridge to deal with.
 
W9TR said:
I've got a hybrid system. MC 2301 power amps have SS input circuits and tube outputs. My C 1100 has a hybrid MC preamp section - SS input, tube output. So even though my components are labeled 'Tube' they are hybrids. I like the way they sound.

With three MC 2301's in the mix, a tube change out is 24 KT-88's and 6 12 AT7's. That's not counting the 12 tubes in the preamp. Wear and tear is just a budget item, kind of like having a phono cartridge to deal with.
Click to expand...



Haaa Ha ha, That's nothing like owning a Phono cartridge .... :)
 
joeinid said:
When I want maximum enjoyment, I opt for all tube amp and preamp. Typically though I enjoy playing music for hours on end. When I know that I am mostly going for the long haul, I’ll switch out the amp and use solid state. It’s still great but I worry less about wear and tear.
Click to expand...

Good Idea , toob quality falls of faster than most would think , measuring bad is a different deal ........


Regards
 
I’m fortunate to have the variety. Rotating gear does have its benefits. It certainly makes you appreciate what’s not in the system. The delta between great solid state and great tube gear is getting smaller all the time. Variety is the spice of life.
 
joeinid said:
When I want maximum enjoyment, I opt for all tube amp and preamp. Typically though I enjoy playing music for hours on end. When I know that I am mostly going for the long haul, I’ll switch out the amp and use solid state. It’s still great but I worry less about wear and tear.
Click to expand...

enjoy life, don't worry about tube life -- yoshihiro muramatsu (almarro)

btw: for me, its all tubes... all the time
 
aKnyght said:
enjoy life, don't worry about tube life -- yoshihiro muramatsu (almarro)

btw: for me, its all tubes... all the time
Click to expand...

Typically on weekends, my system is constantly playing (if I need to run an errand or two, no big deal) weekdays for about 10-16 hours per day depending on my schedule. I don't leave tube amps unattended, but don't worry much about my tube preamps and solid state amps although nothing is immune. It's all good.

I'm fine with the way I run my gear. You'd be surprised how many toasters, coffee pots, wall warts, etc cause problems. Where I work, I'm just a little more aware of what can happen. That's all.
 
joeinid said:
Typically on weekends, my system is constantly playing (if I need to run an errand or two, no big deal) weekdays for about 10-16 hours per day depending on my schedule. I don't leave tube amps unattended, but don't worry much about my tube preamps and solid state amps although nothing is immune. It's all good...
Click to expand...

wow -- makes total sense for that many hours. that would burn through expensive and hard to find output tubes pretty quickly!

i am only at ~2.5 hrs/day and like you don't leave it unattended. with an expected 2,000 hour life at the recommended bias setting i end up replacing my 6c33c output tubes about once every year or so -- at $69 each its not big deal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top