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

What type of amp do you use?

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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Kingrex said:
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.
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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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
I have been using tube amps and preamps for 20 years. My Toolshed Amps 300b is the best piece of gear I have owned to date. I just sold my Zesto Leto to make way for a new Toolshed Amps 101d Line Stage that is being built now. Don't think I could ever go back to SS after these. I'm done buying amps ....
 
Oddiofyl said:
I have been using tube amps and preamps for 20 years. My Toolshed Amps 300b is the best piece of gear I have owned to date. I just sold my Zesto Leto to make way for a new Toolshed Amps 101d Line Stage that is being built now. Don't think I could ever go back to SS after these. I'm done buying amps ....
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Not a fan of the engraving that is used on the Toolshed products but otherwise looks to be rather good gear.
Hope you enjoy your new pre.
Keep us posted on your opinion after you receive it.
 
Thanks, I understand that it's looks are very polarizing but it is really built to a different standard. It is entirely handmade , the inside is as nice the outside from a design and layout perspective. It sounds amazing, and it is dead silent. No self noise or mechanical hum which is a true feat for a 300b amp

Matt was great to work with, he truly delivers a bespoke product. The fit and finish is heirloom quality. Execution and detail of the highest order.
 
I am all solid state now. I have tried many of all types over the years. McIntosh solid state does the trick for me!

PS. I do have a Fender tube guitar amplifier :).
 
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