[Niteshade]

How many of you have tube & tripath amps? I have both.  I am not going to say if one is better than the other. I'm looking for qualities of the two technologies from your point of view.  Tripath is fascinating! Here is my listening impressions from two similar T-amps:
1] Warm mids
2] Bright highs
3] Good speaker control
4] Great bass
5] Very fast
6] Super, super efficient

Imaging was good, but not as forward as a tube amp. Mid to high frequency transition seemed to have a gap, even though mids were warm. Both technologies grab on to minute details excellently.

Note: The amps I was using essentially used basic circuits, nothing like the more refined ones the manufacturers here on AC use. In fact, I am sure theirs are much better. These amps do use authentic Tripath based IC's: The TK2050 & TK2020 and their required driver IC.

This isn't about which is better, just your observations. My observations were made on Klipsch RF-83's. The smaller tripath has a 12V power supply and the 2050 is using a 18V, 16A linear power supply w/ 20,000uf filtration. (I am going to upgrade it to a 24 or 30 volt power supply that's high current.

[DaveC113]

I have a Trends with an Optima battery, blackgate ps caps, and upgraded resistors. My tube amp is a Simple SE, el34 SET, triode mode, no feedback. I also use a tube preamp w/ 6dj8 output tubes. Speakers are Omega 4.5" XRS (single drivers).

I'm sure there are much better T-amps out there, but mine isn't even close to the Simple SE, which has far better soundstage, precise imaging, and realistic tonality. With the Trends, the speakers "re-appear", and some tones sound less realistic. There is some sort of homoginization of tone in a t-amp, and it's annoying. The longer you listen the more annoying it becomes. I was trying to fix problems with cables, room treatments, speaker cabinet treatments, etc... Turns out all I needed was a good tube amp. 

[PSB Guy]

My system has the best of both worlds, combining a Virtue One Tripath amp with a tube line stage, the Grant Fidelity B-283. Many people have discovered that Tripath amps are great compliments to tube based preamps or line stages, there's even a dedicated thread on the Virtue circle. Maybe it's because Tripath amps have such a "tubey" personality, I don't know...I just know that the resulting sound is magic...

[doorman]

I've got a Virtue amp as well, as a back-up. I prefer it with a tubed pre in the chain, But MY ears much prefer my tube amp/pre combination.Not dissing the tripath amps at all (I've had 3 0f them) I just can't engage in the same way.YMMV, of course
Don

[Canada Rob]

I have some of the highest reviewed Tri-Path, Chip, and class A/B amps in their price category(up to $1700)and they are all, without exception incredible, but I like the Decware SE84c+ SET tube amp the best.  With the right speakers it will do things no other amp I have heard can.  It's soundstage is holographic, deep, and wide, it's sound is fast, fluid and transparent, but warm.  It also has gorgeous bass.....all on 2w/ch.

Rob

[50jess]

I have a Virtue 2 and Dared SL-2000A (tube preamp) combination.  Perfect match!

[eclein]

My TWO.2 and Tube DAC/Pre (Grant DAC-09) is my #1 setup, #2 is same front and MP-301MK2, all mullard tubes, 6.5watts and its magic also the #1 just has more balls. Can't think of any other way to say it... Ed