[Desertpilot]

It is likely that Clayton is shaking his head and thinking, "Who is this Marcus guy?"  LOL!  I know that 99.9% of Spatial members use tube equipment.  But, I thought it might be helpful for the two or three of us who are solid state users to offer our thoughts for prospective Spatial customers.

My rig begins with a 9th gen Core i9 laptop as music server (this will be replaced with a dedicated music server soon).  The server gets music files from an external 4TB SSD containing both stereo and surround music files (some CD quality, but most are SACD quality or better).  I also use Qobuz as a streamer.  File based music is played via JRiver Media Center or file based + Qobuz streaming via ROON.  My DAC is the exaSound S88 multichannel DAC using a Teddy Pardo linear power supply (exaSound provides users with a proprietary, Windows or MAC, ASIO driver for their music servers).  Music from either player flows (bit perfect, so they say) through an AudioQuest Cinnamon A to B USB Cable to the DAC.  The DAC converts "native" PCM, DXD and DSD files to analog.  The analog signal flows via XLR cables to my Parasound A52+ amplifier and then via 12 gauge speaker cable to my X3 speakers.  I use an Android pad to select music and adjust volume (exaSound provides a volume control extension for both JRiver and ROON).

My experience:  The Parasound amplifier is crafted to provide a class A signal up to 10 watts and then switches to class AB.  I have never heard any dissimilarity if it switches from A to AB and back to A.  It's all seamless to me.  The speakers, even with the amplifier volume set high, are dead quiet.  High quality, well recorded and mastered files are critical.  If it is in the file you will hear it through the X3 speakers.  But, that is what I wanted, exact reproduction of music.  I have never heard any brightness from the AMT drivers.  In fact, music reproduction with Parasound amplifiers are considered just a "tad" warm.

The performance I get from my rig is truly outstanding.  Depth, soundstage, clarity of instruments are all excellent (stereo or surround).  I follow several classical music reviews.  Often, the reviewer will note the quality of instruments, choir and/or soloists in the recording (they listen to surround as well).  When I listen to the same music, that is the way it sounds to me too.  I know my thoughts are subjective.  But, having achieved this high level of music reproduction is completely satisfying (low or high volume).

Marcus

[Early B.]

Consider upgrading your Parasound amp to a nice pair of solid-state monoblocks. It will take your system to the next level. For classical music, you'll hear better separation of instruments, greater clarity, and more impact. They're costly, but monos will provide sonic attributes on par with your Spatial speakers.

[Desertpilot]

Consider upgrading your Parasound amp to a nice pair of solid-state monoblocks. It will take your system to the next level. For classical music, you'll hear better separation of instruments, greater clarity, and more impact. They're costly, but monos will provide sonic attributes on par with your Spatial speakers.

Thanks.  I am sure you are correct.  BUT, I am financially limited (retirement will do that to you).  I am considering using the Parasound A31 for my front three X3s and use the A52+ for rear and side surrounds.  That would be my max investment capability.

Marcus

[DaveWin88]

Parasound owner here also. I originally wanted to get a Firstwatt f7 but for several reasons I ended up with the A21+. There is really no wrong answer here, as we'll all end up at the same place if you will. Yeah the 21+ is superb for my needs, and until I got the m6's, I had no idea how good it really was. First 6 watts class A,  boo koo dynamic headroom, neutral (very important to me) damping factor and so on. It and the Spatials are impressing me every time.  If the cards are ever right, I would love to get a tube amplifier for sure, but I had to make a decision and it might be the only time in my life I could get a nice system Love the Parasound.

[Bingenito]

Not a Spatial owner yet… X4s should be here in a few weeks. That said I generally prefer SS power amps and if I want tubes the preamp or DAC is my preference. No absolutes here just generally what I like with the 20 plus yrs of doing this.

[RonN5]

Mostly solid state system here:  oppo 205, Belles Tube Mosfet Hybrid Preamp, Digital Amplifier Company 2Cherry class d amplifier, Spatial Audio M3 Sapphires.

The sound is deep, wide, nuanced and captivating.  No need for more than two tubes (12au7s) in my system.  Although to be fair, the Belles specs more like an all solid state preamp:

Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  over 100 dB A weighted

Distortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  THD and IM less than 0.001%

Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  0.2 to 200,000 Hz within 3dB

Also, it worth noting that the Cherry Amps have a reputation for having a sound that is tube like in the midrange and solid state on the top and bottom...and with great clarity throughout.

[TomS]

I lean towards SS with a nice hint of tubeness. As such, I found the hybrid Modwright KWH 225i is the perfect blend for my taste, 6922 preamp stage, SS output stage, but it really needs good NOS tubes to do it (Telefunken E88CC's in my case). I tried all SS (various Class D) and all tube (Sachs Valhalla, LTA separates) and found this to be a perfect balance. Plus, it is totally reliable and doesn't produce too much heat, which is important in my case with an enclosed cabinet.

[Tangram]

For me the sweet spot is SS Class A. I tried my Parasound A21 with the M3s but quickly switched back to my Pass Labs XA30.5. The Spatials do very well without a lot of power. Despite being 4 ohm, they are easy to drive. So low powered Class A is IMHO, the best way to go.

[Mr. Big]

I used 2 solid-state amps with Spatial M3 Sapphires, McIntosh and Mark Levinson each with matching preamp and both sounded superb, the Levinson has a lower noise floor and you can hear the smallest details and overtones, with explosive dynamics down to the micro-level. Excellent depth of field and staging if one the recording and recorded that way instead of many recordings today that are put together in pieces on a digital workstation, or home mixer. I'm talking about recording where everyone is in the same room/studio playing together in real-time. I grew up on tubes, love them, but no longer found them needed as before for a great sounding system, now it's more about recordings quality.

[mrotino332]

I haven't auditioned an all solid state system on my X5s but have always preferred tubes in the preamp section.  I've kept my Pathos Twin Towers for all these years as it's single ended class A solid state with two preamp driver tubes which do have an affect on the sound.  I can easily change the sound of my system by swapping the two 12ax7 tubes depending on my mood.  I've found NOS 12ax7 tubes to be noticeably better than the modern 12ax7 tubes.  Favorites being GE Blackplates, Raytheon Blackplates and Bugle Boys.  I put in the Mullards when I want a warmer sound.  It's 30 watts/channel so more than enough power for the X5s.  In the past I've compared this integrated to all solid state separates from both Sim Audio Moon and Edge electronics and preferred the Pathos with other highish efficiency speakers such as Merlin and Green Mountain Audio.  It could be if I auditioned those solid state separates with the X5s I might prefer them but I do like the sound of some tubes in the system.

[Desertpilot]

The debate over Tube vs. SS systems will never end.  Everyone has a preference which is great.  But, after reading the responses to the thread, I'm happy that I'm not the only one using SS equipment.

Thank you everyone.

Marcus

[dB Cooper]

They were using a Class D amp IIRC when I saw them at Capital Audiofest a few years back. Don't recall which though.

[RonN5]

There is no question that solid state can mate beautifully with Clayton's offerings...check out this link for a comment from the man himself....

I have had a pair of the Cherry Desktop amps in listening room No. 2 for several months now and I have been very impressed. They are the best sounding amps we have tested under $3000. I would not have guessed they were Class D. I think it is high time we drop the emphasis on the class of amp circuit, as the lines are becoming blurred by many different and good sounding approaches. Tommy definitely has something special with his design as others have noted. They certainly mate with my speaker designs exceptionally well.

Clayton
www.spatialaudio.us

[Tyson]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a good SS amp.  I own 2 myself!  A First Watt BA3 (25 watts pure class a) and a pair of Odyssey Kismet monoblocks (180 watts, class a for 25 then AB for the rest). 

SS amps can sound amazing, IME.  It's just harder to do and requires a really good design and designer.  Tubes are relatively simple and easy to get good sound from, that's probably why people talk about them more.  But SS can be every bit as good, just a bit different flavor.

[dket]

Newbie poster here and 400Hr. X5 owner.
I would like to add my 2 cents to the SS vs Tube amps opinion debate.
I am highly recommending the 13W Valvet E3 Amp to X3 & X5  owners. It is a SS, Class A, SE amp which just sounds fantastic, especially with the included outstanding, must have SR purple fuse upgrade.
Checkout 10 Audio's Valvet reviews to which I concur completely.
The upper frequencies on the X5's are smooth with no distortion at higher volumes.
Being a tube kind of guy, my front end consists of Ayon CD 10 II CD player and Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3 preamp both with SR purple fuses.

[doggie]

If it sounds good to you then it is good.

Anyway, in the end it is how you put together your whole system.

No need for anyone to defend or apologize for what kind of amp they use.

[2Bad]

I'm leaning toward using tubes but I'm curious to know if anyone here is/has driven their Spatial speakers with a Hegel integrated amp ???

If so care to share your thoughts.

[RonN5]

I've heard the M3 Sapphires through a Lyngdorf 2170 using the Lyngdorf DAC and with room correction turned on and off....really, really good sounding both ways.

[Dana]

I know that 99.9% of Spatial members use tube equipment.  But, I thought it might be helpful for the two or three of us who are solid state users to offer our thoughts for prospective Spatial customers.

Marcus, I don't know if your statistic is correct or not, but I also have an all SS rig and love the sound I am getting from my X5s.  I'm running streams and local files > PS Audio Direct Stream Sr. DAC > Pass Audio XP-12 preamp > Pass Audio XA-25 amp.  The sound is fast, clear, and natural.  I am very happy with this set up. 

[abomwell]

While I await delivery of my Atma-Sphere S30 I'm using a Crown 350 Watt Class D amp, model XLS 1502, that retails at $500. At first I thought it was a bit brighter and leaner than the Carver Crimson 275 that I sold. But the more I listen the more impressed I am with this amp. It's sound is clean and smooth. Perhaps the Carver added  a bit of bloating to the lower midrange that is gone with the Crown and that's why the Crown sounded leaner at first. I could easily live with this amp on a permanent basis.