Tube vs. Transistor

[TwinFinnley]

I have spent a while now doing a bit of research on vacuum tube amps and I am having trouble understanding what makes them superior to transistor based amps. If someone could please spell it out for me, I would really appreciate it.

Currently, I am looking at the Denon AVR-4308CI with a Denon PMA-2000IVR amp set up. I don't know if I even need the amp or not. I will be driving the Denon D2000. Yes, I like Denon, but thats only because I am most familiar with them and I haven't experienced anything else, but I know I can trust them.

Any and all input is appreciated!

 

[markl]

Hi, it's not true at all that anything with a tube in it is "superior" to anything with a transistor. In fact, you'll find a lot of people who will argue for the technical superiority of solid state. You will also hear a lot of people speak in generalities about the alleged "signature" sound of tubes vs. solid state, but there are as many exceptions to the rule as those that match the stereotype.

I would worry more about finding an amp in my price range that has the kind of sound and performance I like rather than worrying about whether it has tubes or transistors.

It don't matter what's inside the box, it only matters what comes out of it.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markl /img/forum/go_quote.gif It don't matter what's inside the box, it only matters what comes out of it.

I wholeheartedly agree.

The thing with tubes versus solid state is that its a preference thing, and might even depend on what headphones and/or what type of music.

 

[TwinFinnley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkswordsman17 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wholeheartedly agree. The thing with tubes versus solid state is that its a preference thing, and might even depend on what headphones and/or what type of music.

Headphones: Denon D2000

Music: Instrumental (sometimes yoyoma) to Domingo, to michael buble, to jack johnson, to Bocelli and Groban, etc.. oh, and some country

(dont flame me bro!)

Also, any thoughts on the above mentioned receiver & amp set up?

 

[slwiser]

And tubes are not necessarily slow and less detailed, at least the two tube amps that I have are not, another stereotype.

 

[Penchum]

With headphone amps, I have both. I love both, even with the same headphones (HD-650). This looks like a problem on the surface, but it really isn't. For me, it is more about the end results (like markl said).

I love what tube headphone amps add to my music. I also love what solid state headphone amps do not add to my music. I find that on some occasions, the tube amps really do it for me and on other occasions, the purity of the solid state amps really do it for me. In the end, one compliments the other and the deciding factor has to be personal tastes.

Sorry if this doesn't help in choosing (directly). For me to address this directly, would be speculative on my part and I just feel that you will find the answer with some listening and time.

 

[Tech2]

To the OP:

I would suggest you read http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/new...ewbies-119389/ at the top of this forum. It's very well written and may answer a lot of your questions regarding tubes VS solid-state.

 

[rivieraranch]

With a tube unit you can alter the sound by changing the tubes. You cannot do this with a solid state unit.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penchum /img/forum/go_quote.gif With headphone amps, I have both. I love both, even with the same headphones (HD-650). This looks like a problem on the surface, but it really isn't. For me, it is more about the end results (like markl said). I love what tube headphone amps add to my music. I also love what solid state headphone amps do not add to my music. I find that on some occasions, the tube amps really do it for me and on other occasions, the purity of the solid state amps really do it for me. In the end, one compliments the other and the deciding factor has to be personal tastes. Sorry if this doesn't help in choosing (directly). For me to address this directly, would be speculative on my part and I just feel that you will find the answer with some listening and time.

That's a good point, it even depends on mood. There's a reason why a lot of people (well on here at least) have more than one headphone (some have a lot of different headphones and several different setups).

For the music you listed, I would think a tube amp would sound pretty nice indeed. Of course I'm not sure how well they'll fit your headphones, so a warm sounding solid state amp might suit it better. As you can see, its tough to be able to recommend what (especially if you haven't had much experience with a variety of both amps), however, while that can be intimidating (and even maybe disheartening), take solace in the fact that if you buy a good quality amp, regardless, chances are, you will be happy with it. The best you can do is get a general idea of what would be a good fit, and then give it a try.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch /img/forum/go_quote.gif With a tube unit you can alter the sound by changing the tubes. You cannot do this with a solid state unit.

Unless it uses opamps, or you modify it.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinFinnley /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have spent a while now doing a bit of research on vacuum tube amps and I am having trouble understanding what makes them superior to transistor based amps. If someone could please spell it out for me, I would really appreciate it. Currently, I am looking at the Denon AVR-4308CI with a Denon PMA-2000IVR amp set up. I don't know if I even need the amp or not. I will be driving the Denon D2000. Yes, I like Denon, but thats only because I am most familiar with them and I haven't experienced anything else, but I know I can trust them. Any and all input is appreciated!

To understand what makes a tube amp superior you need to hear a good tube amp. People will give you tube sound sterotypes and distortion measurements that dont really correlate to anything to push SS superiority. To me, in short, tube amps sound more real.