[shampoosuicide]

There's a lot of talk going on here about tubes, which prompts me to ask, what makes tube amps different from "normal" amps? And why choose a tube amp?

I've been searching for an amp for my Sennheiser HD 595, and see that people recommend tubes for them. My budget is <$250. I want my 595s to have a wider and deeper sound stage, more impactful, punchy bass, better bass extension, brighter sound, more airiness/better instrument separation. What amps you would recommend?

I have read Skylab's review of 20 portable amps, as well as mrarroyo's review of 26 portable amps, and was thinking of getting a Meier Corda Move, but tube amps seem to be recommended for 595s. What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[rhythmdevils]

that sounds like solid state to me. someone else could probably explain better, but tubes usually give a more lush, flowing, natural sound. both tubes and solid state can be airy and extended, but, punchy, bright signature would be solid state.

there's probably a million threads on under 250 amps

 

[rhythmdevils]

a portable might be a way to go. check out the 26 portable amps reviewed thread

 

[Pangaea]

ld2++ is in your range and sounds good with 595s. I have that combo.

 

[bebanovich]

Tubes will be less bright than solid state. With tubes everything is just a little rounded at the edges and warmer. It's like a pillow-top mattress vs. a firm mattress. One is not necessarily better than the other, it just depends on your preference.

I would imagine that some phones would sound better w/ tubes and some w/ ss but I'm kind of talking over my head here.

 

[Negatron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shampoosuicide /img/forum/go_quote.gif There's a lot of talk going on here about tubes, which prompts me to ask, what makes tube amps different from "normal" amps? And why choose a tube amp? I've been searching for an amp for my Sennheiser HD 595, and see that people recommend tubes for them. My budget is <$250. I want my 595s to have a wider and deeper sound stage, more impactful, punchy bass, better bass extension, brighter sound, more airiness/better instrument separation. What amps you would recommend? Thanks!

There is much bandied about about which domains hold superior for tubes and solid state. Very little is based upon anything other than subjective opinion arrived at from heresay or derived from listening to a relativly small sample of either type.

Quite simply there are no absolutes and no area where either design cannot excell. Both are capable of exceptional performance in any area chosen.
By economic constraints primarily, most amplifier designs are trade offs.

Opinions on the other hand are freely abundant. I have been a staunch supporter ot tubes for many years and have no shortage of opinions, just as there are counterparts to my choices equally oppinionated and neither of us are 'wrong'.

The BEST way to decide is to LISTEN. And if I may be so bold, I would assume that if a person loves music they will end up with more than one amp.
Half the fun is the search. Enjoy the Music!

 

[AudioDwebe]

Do you prefer blonds or brunettes? Or do you find some blonds attractive and other blonds not so attractive? Same with brunettes?

Same with tubes versus solid state.

Generally speaking, tubes will have a fuller, more relaxing tone without any treble edginess. Soundstage and space around musicians will appear to be filled with more "real" space. Solid state will manhandle the headphones, provide a more impactful bass and sometimes the treble will extend higher, but might sound a bit edgy.

You really have to hear them for yourself to see which is your preference.

 

[Negatron]

Essentially the process of amplification is accomplished by varying the flow of electrons through a device.

In the case of Solid State the electrons must undertake an arduous journey through positively and negatively charged layers of silicone. As they burrow through this solid stuff it is dark and cold as they must search for ' holes' and avoid impurities.

It is believed that their task can be compared to the coal miner. The Electrons wear little hard hats with lights attached so they can find a way through to bring you music. It is spoken that shortly after the invention of the transistor the Electrons forced to work in such devices formed unions and much later were highly regulated by the Government. When they finally finish the task they are sometimes very tired and irritable.

When a Vacuum tube is used as an amplifier the Electrons freely move through a Vacuum, happily frolicking with their little internal friends the Leptons and Mesons with cute little Quarks dashing wildly about. They move easily through positively or negatively charged widely spaced grid wires with song in their little hearts and no worries about Government regulation or silicone dirt to clean up after the music is delivered.

The choice of course is yours and how the music sounds to you should not be affected by any guilt over the poor Solid State electrons.

 

[Chris_Himself]

in the case of guitar amps.

the slight distortion from a good tube amp sounds amazingly warm and pleasing to the ear and can only be imitiated by a solid state amp at best, but not achieved.

i dont know if people will agree with me on that when it comes to headphone amps.

 

[DJShadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you prefer blonds or brunettes? Or do you find some blonds attractive and other blonds not so attractive? Same with brunettes? Same with tubes versus solid state. You really have to hear them for yourself to see which is your preference.

Great advice. The last sentence is paramount to finding satisfaction in this hobby.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Himself /img/forum/go_quote.gif in the case of guitar amps. the slight distortion from a good tube amp sounds amazingly warm and pleasing to the ear and can only be imitiated by a solid state amp at best, but not achieved. i dont know if people will agree with me on that when it comes to headphone amps.

I'm no longer that much into the guitar game any more but I don't think headphone amps are analogous to guitar amps on the basis that guitar tube amps are usually more pleasing unless there has been some recent advancement that has made solid states sound as good.

 

[Chris_Himself]

well the best solid state amps are the ones that sound the most like tube, or the most neutral ones so that tube distortion can be implemented if necessary.

 

[shampoosuicide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils /img/forum/go_quote.gif a portable might be a way to go. check out the 26 portable amps reviewed thread

I have seen that thread, and was thinking of getting a Meier Corda Move, before I found out that tubes are generally recommended for the 595s.

I see that you're selling your Darkvoice 336i. Could you share your experience with it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pangaea /img/forum/go_quote.gif ld2++ is in your range and sounds good with 595s. I have that combo.

How would you say the LD2++ affected the sound of your 595s?

 

[Hermitt]

When I had my 595s, I tried a fairly unknown dac/amp combo called the Icarus from BES Audio. I really liked their idea of choosing and/or swapping out the DAC chips used and the multible inputs (coax, RCA, USB and optical). I ordered one with the BB PCM-1798 DAC chip and my hd595s never sounded better!
But then after about 2 days, the volume control stopped working. The owner/designer was very responsive (even on a sunday when I called his cellphone) and promply sent me out a new unit. But that one failed in the same manner. The senergy was awesome, tight punchy and full bass, crystal clear and sparkly highs, and a midrange that female vocals would melt you.

I then sent that one back for a refund and went to a dared mp5 tube-hybred amp because I had also ordered a new pair of Alessandro MS-Pros.

Sad to say, but the hd-595 did not sound nearly as spectacular with the new dared

but does wonders with the ms-pros, so that left me with little choice but to sell the senns and keep the dared/alessandro combination.

sorry i rambled on .... but I just wanted to say how good the 595/Icarus combo sounded

 

[ken36]

Personally, I am an aficionado of the SS amps. I have been on both sides of the equation, and have an empty wallet to prove it, so I guess you might consider me experienced.

 

[neergan1216]

I suggest the moddest Marantz 1060 vintage SS integrated for ~$100. Great match for Senns. My 1060 (stock) is sonically superior to other vintage or modern SS or tubed amp I auditioned.