[rockadanny]

I track my tube hours and am into the final 1/3 lifespan (not necessarily technical lifespan, just what I am comfortable with) for my power amp. I have a few bucks squirreled away for audio but unable to add to the stash in the future, so am at a tipping point ... will I spend a good chunk of my remaining $ for new tubes or go SS instead? This is likely my final opportunity to switch from tubes to SS so am curious. Speakers are Pure Audio Project Trio15 Horn1, amp is 2A3 tubes, preamp is a hybrid (12AU7s).

[NIGHTFALL1970]

What is your budget? What class do you prefer?
I highly recommend Buckeye Amps with Purifi modules. About $1200 for stereo.

[gene9p]

I used a Pass Labs XA 25 with my Mac C2300 tube preamp..was fantastic..sold it..bought another..lol

[Early B.]

Why are you considering switching from SS to tubes? What you have seems more than sufficient.

[Rusty Jefferson]

It will be tough to recreate the beauty of 2A3 amplifiers with good iron. Those are some of the best I've heard. It might be worth looking for a First Watt amp, perhaps the J2? I'm partial to the F4 myself but that does require a preamp that can swing a good amount of voltage. It is however, the most transparent amplifier (buffer really) I've ever heard.

https://www.firstwatt.com/products/

I've heard the Pure Audio Project room a couple times at shows thought they sounded quite good. Maybe reach out to see what they use if you don't already know?

[mick wolfe]

I wouldn't do it unless you could afford to keep the tube amp as well. You might just be setting yourself up for a major disappointment. Either way, it would be wise to first audition the amp you decide on before you sell your tube amp. Good luck.

[Early B.]

I wouldn't do it unless you could afford to keep the tube amp as well. You might just be setting yourself up for a major disappointment. Either way, it would be wise to first audition the amp you decide on before you sell your tube amp. Good luck.

Yep. SS amp owners and designers love to boast about the "tube-like" sound, but if a tube amp sounds like solid state, it's not considered a good amp.

[rooze]

I've done it several times over the years and in some cases it's taken a good solid state amp to make a high-eff horn speaker 'come alive'.

I messed with a 106dB Oris 150 horn system for a year, trying low powered 2A3 and various other tube amps, and I was never satisfied. When i hit those buggers with 200 watts of clean Lyngdorf power the speakers just came to life. The positives far outweighed any minor losses.

I've repeated this several times over the years. A First Watt J2 lost nothing worth fussing over against an expensive pair of Allnic 300b monoblocks on Altec A7 and Altec Valencias.
Try a pair of GanFet amps, like those from Orchard, Atma-Sphere, etc, or a First Watt amp.

[mick wolfe]

After looking at OP's original post again, I'm wondering if the 2A3 amp in question is an SET. If so, he'd most certainly welcome the additional power provided by any of the solid state amps mentioned already. This "assuming" the PAP's are 96 db in efficiency. Unfortunately, the most worthy candidates will cost far more than retubing a 2A3 amp. This even if new top shelf Takatsuki or European 2A3's are in play. To me, the most intriguing candidate if one is transitioning from tubes to solid state is the already mentioned Pass XA25, but new retail is around $5700. A less expensive option that might be considered is an Odyssey amp of some ilk. This especially with a tube pre-amp already in place. As always, YMMV.

[rockadanny]

I am not dissatisfied with current sound: Glorious! I love it! More than happy to keep what I have. It is more of a timing thing ...
I no longer am able to work so NO NEW $ to add to the audio chest ($3,000) in the foreseeable future - this is the biggest reason - never a concern when I was working.
Being in my 70's, I no longer wish to spend time chasing gear. Just want to relax and enjoy the music.
Just ordered NOS pair of 12AU7s for my pre, so am set for a long time there. But amp will soon require fresh tubes, NOS (2) 2A3 and a 6DJ8,
which will put a nice dent in my $ chest.

(Plus: As a worrywart, always in fear of tube failure, even though it has NEVER happened to me (JINX!?!  ),
and the future expense of fresh tubes.)

I always insist on evaluation/return trial if new, or if used can resell if it fails to satisfy. I won't sell gear to try something different.

I am at another disadvantage in that I have not heard an extensive amount of different gear. For example, Pass Labs or Atma-Sphere D are on my radar, but have never heard,
and both out of reach for me financially unless I sell my amp first, which I will not do. Here's the timing thing again: I can currently bear the cost for
those (used) but only after selling my amp. And once I start depleting my audio $, those will no longer be attainable. So now seems the last time to switch if I ever wish to.

I've asked on the FB PAP forum, about 2,500 members, but only a couple of responses there.

[rockadanny]

And yes, the 2A3 amp is an SET. And while my $ chest can easily afford a fresh set of tubes, its just that if I do that, I fall further away from ever affording a Pass XA25 or Atma-Sphere type of amp.

[rockadanny]

Not saying I must spend lots of $ (Pass or Atma $) to have a solid replacement, but it sure seems like it to my pea-sized brain from reading and videos.
I heard an Orchard at a friend's house and while I was impressed at how it sounded for the price, it was not good enough for me, not a suitable replacement for my SET (YMMV, his gear and house, etc., etc., and not making a final judgement, just seemed like it).

[Early B.]

I've done it several times over the years and in some cases it's taken a good solid state amp to make a high-eff horn speaker 'come alive'.

This hobby is weird. I've had the opposite experience. My 8-watt amp is the most powerful-sounding amp I've ever owned, including 300-watt SS monoblocks. Either way, watts don't mean squat. There are a million other variables to consider.

It's a tough pill to swallow, and I'll say it again -- for tube amps, you need a big budget. Don't spend $2K or $3K on a tube amp and expect authentic "tube sound." Some people spend several grand for one set of amp tubes, so imagine what they paid for their amp!

Rockdanny -- to best your current amp, you would have to spend a lot of time (and money!!!) trying out all sorts of amps. For instance, if you're considering Pass Labs, you'd have to try several variations. That ain't gonna happen.

[Tyson]

I recently picked up a 1626 Darling SET amp.  .75 watt.  Not 75 watts.  3/4 of a watt total power.  And in many ways it's the strongest sounding amp in my system.  The strongest bottom end and the most torquey type of sound on my speakers.  Of course, my speakers are a super easy load and that helps.  But it's still surprising to me.

[Jon L]

Dont' fix what ain't broke.  Two 2A3's can be bought at reasonable prices, e.g. Psvane 2A3.  Having said that, when I compared amps a while back, the amp technology that sounded the most similar to my 2A3 SET was Ncore 

[Tyson]

If you're going to stick with the 2a3, I'd say roll the output tubes like others have suggested.  Which ones you pick depends on what part of the sound you're unhappy with.  If you feel it's too bright or aggressive, then the Psvane or NOS RCA's are great.  Beautiful tone with those tubes.  On the other hand, if you feel your current sound is too sleepy, then give the LinLai Elite 2a3's a go, they are very modern sounding.