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Why tubes?
Because I have solid state and I want to try something different. I have been to many audio shows and the best rooms to my ears were usually tube powered.
EDIT: I, among others can say without question that the wonderful tube amps we’ve owned over the years were very nice in their time, but we’ve have found something even better - as to be expected in the 21st century. If your goal is as implied all about obtaining the best possible sound quality, then you need to look beyond tubes. I can assure you that the answer will not disappoint.
OK, so what SS do you recommend that is better than tubes. I do like power especially more power than SETs.
When it comes to tubes then you should be looking at single ended triodes (SETs). In terms of sound quality, SETs are vastly superior to anything push pull. I don’t have any direct experience with OTLs, but that’s another subject. I have owned a variety of SETs, all of them wonderful in their own unique way depending on the flavour you like. But I have since moved on in recent years to something quite unexpected in the realm of SS that is musically far more satisfying than any of the many SETs I have owned over the years. I, among others can say without question that the wonderful tube amps we’ve owned over the years were very nice in their time, but we’ve have found something even better - as to be expected in the 21st century. If your goal is as implied all about obtaining the best possible sound quality, then you need to look beyond tubes. I can assure you that the answer will not disappoint.
I am looking at integrated tube amplifiers. Suggestions and favorites please. Criteria: 65wpc or more and current production or a newer model available. Hybrids acceptable. Budget-TBD.Thanks for any suggestions.Don
When it comes to SETs, there are very good SETs and there are run of the mill SETs. A very good SET will leave a very good PP amp sonically in the dust. A run of the mill SET may face competition from a decent PP.But since the OP wants more than SET power, a SET isn’t a viable solution. Enter the Cherry Maraschino. $1900 will get you 200 x 2 of the cleanest and most musical watts money can buy. I can PM you a list of names you can discreetly inquire as to what amps they’ve used before and where they once stood on the question of tubes.Just so you know, the Cherry STM isn’t exactly eye candy / audio jewelry. It’s stripped down minimalist bare bones, just like a racing car - no bells and whistles - it’s sole purpose is maximum sound quality and nothing more.You see lots of Devialet’s frequently come up for sale on the used market. Not so with the Cherry Maraschino. Unless you’re moving up the line, it is truly an end game amplifier.