[Niteshade]

How many solid state amplifier enthusiasts does it take to install a tube? The answer: Just 1! Lame joke- but it brings about a good point: Tube amplifiers may require tube changes once in a while- BUT you can do it yourself! Let me see you try and fix that solid state amp when an output transistor blows. Well built, point to point wired tube amplifiers retain their value for longer periods of time than any amplifier using printed circuits. Part of the reason lies with the ease in fixing them. It is a statistical fact that equipment made with fewer components can last longer than those made with more.

A good tube amplifier is an excellent, enjoyable investment.

[Freo-1]

One of the stereophile guys compared tubes and solid state by using the analogy of "owning a real dog vs. owing a dog robot". The real dog makes messes, has to be taken out, gets sick, while the robot dog suffers none of these afflictions. Still, at the end of the day, would you rather have a real dog, or a robot?

It's a little odd, but I got where he was coming from.

[pardales]

So that means a SS amp is like a robot tube amp? 

[Freo-1]

So that means a SS amp is like a robot tube amp? 

Yep! (told you it was odd).

I think it was Sam Tellig who spun the yarn.

[TONEPUB]

I hate to burst your bubble here, but there are some pretty great solid
state amps out there these days.

I love tubes, so I'm not a tube hater.  But I've been blown away by
some of the good solid state I've been hearing the past couple of years.
And I like a lot of the stuff that Sam likes as well.

My Conrad Johnson Premier 350 has run flawlessly 8-16 hours a
day, 7 days a week for almost four years now without a burp. I wouldn't
trade it for anything.

It's not all bad on the other side.

[timind]

Honestly I'd rather own the robot dog.
That statement has nothing to do with audio.

[markC]

Honestly I'd rather own the robot dog.
That statement has nothing to do with audio.

As long as it comes with a remote.

[jules]

Hmm ... I think we should use the classic form eg

How many audiophiles does it take to replace a NOS tube?

30, 29 to buy the tube and one to replace it.

Jules

[Freo-1]

I hate to burst your bubble here, but there are some pretty great solid
state amps out there these days.

I love tubes, so I'm not a tube hater.  But I've been blown away by
some of the good soliusing d state I've been hearing the past couple of years.
And I like a lot of the stuff that Sam likes as well.

My Conrad Johnson Premier 350 has run flawlessly 8-16 hours a
day, 7 days a week for almost four years now without a burp. I wouldn't
trade it for anything.

It's not all bad on the other side.

Not busting any bubbles here 

Believe it or not, one of the best solid state setups I've heard is using a Denon 5910 with SACD/DVD-A source material, using fire wire connection to a Sony DA9000ES via the ilink, to the speakers (Polk LSI 15).  Incredible dynamics and detail. Extremely clean.

Still, I often prefer the euphoric tube sound (even though the above setup is in all likelihood more technically accurate)   

[Bob in St. Louis]

How many audiophiles does it take to replace a NOS tube?

30, 29 to buy the tube and one to replace it.

[acwd1950]

I like both

Steve

[TONEPUB]

I agree with Steve, I've heard great examples from both camps...

I could live happily ever after with either, depending on the speakers.

[jules]

I like both

  ... no, I don't get that one.

Jules

[Niteshade]

I would really like to see a modern point to point wired SS amp! I have a couple 60's units that are point to point and the work is BEAUTIFUL! The modular concept using high quality printed circuits has really got my attention too. There's another thread that shows some beautiful work a few DIY'ers are doing. I still believe point to point may be better simply because printed circuit boards take component changes so poorly. One lifted trace and BAM- ruined. Heat on a board from a power resistor can damage them too. Ripped traces can be repaired but it will never be the same again.  Burnt boards become fragile and discolored. Like anything else, cases can be made for and against them.

[jonwb]

I agree with Steve, I've heard great examples from both camps...

I could live happily ever after with either, depending on the speakers.

I want tube speakers to go w/ my SS amp.   

[DTB300]

How many solid state amplifier enthusiasts does it take to install a tube?

Zero as they are all too poor from buying replacement tubes.   

A good tube amplifier is an excellent, enjoyable investment.

Thanks for the advertisement. 

[JLM]

Chip based solid state amps have 9 components and very little wire (comparably simple to the simplest tube amps).

I'm guessing that most tube amp fans use solid state computers, which seems just a bit inconsistent.   

[saisunil]

Take it for what it is worth:
Paul at Tube Research Labs came with a solid state amp at a fraction of his tube amp offering and he himself says that his solid state amp sounds just as good as his tube amps and he still sell both tube and solid state.

Implementation is the key.

But the intent of the email makes sense:
It is much easier to take a tube amp with point to point wiring to a repair shop (without any schematics) and get it fixed than a solid state design ...

Cheers

PS: Investing in audio makes a lot more sense today given the turmoil in the market -- at least you get to enjoy it while you have it - tubes or solid state

[konut]

Implementation is the key.

Stop the clock, we have a winner!

 [/quote]PS: Investing in audio makes a lot more sense today given the turmoil in the market -- at least you get to enjoy it while you have it - tubes or solid state
[/quote]

Amen, brother!

[John Casler]

Stop the clock, we have a winner!

PS: Investing in audio makes a lot more sense today given the turmoil in the market -- at least you get to enjoy it while you have it - tubes or solid state


Amen, brother!

Hmmmm. . .  Does that make me an Investment Advisor?