In Reply to: experimentation is the spice of hifi posted by badman on June 28, 2015 at 22:39:47:
Both solid state and tubed amps come in several flavors Class A, AB, D and whatever, well I don't know about Class D tubed amps.
I have built both tubed and solid state amps. The class A amps based on the Nelson Pass circuits tend toward the sound of tubed amps. And there are tubed amps setup to sound just like good solid state amps. My DIY Aleph J sounds a bit warmer than my ANK EL34 PP (Class AB1) amp.
Solid state amps tend to be a bit more complicated circuit wise (not always of course), and tubed amps allow tube changing to let the owner change the sound signature to some degree. If a tube does fail, its relatively easy to replace. If something fails in a solid state amp, its a bit harder than just ordering and installing a new tube.
To me, it comes down to sound signature, and whether or not the amp works well with your speaker. One can be happy with any amp that makes the sound you are looking for.
As I have tended to smaller wattage amps, my speaker choices have tended to high efficiency speakers. I use Zu (awaiting a set of the new Druids), which offer high impedence, and good dampening factor, allowing my choice of amps, for the most part. (isn't there always the reception, and usually someone who knows more than me)
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Follow Ups
- RE: experimentation is the spice of hifi - Bones13 07:16:25 06/29/15 (0)