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In Reply to: ARC's tube vs. solid state - please weigh in (Bambi B?) posted by Little Help on June 8, 2009 at 19:34:10:
Little Help,
It's a big subject, but generally I like some of the older Audio Research tube preamplifiers and amplifiers more than some of the newer,and generally the solid state have continued to improve.
My favourite ARC preamplifiers are: SP3, SP8, SP10, LS5, LS15, LS25, REF2/II, REF3, PH3SE, PH5
Tube Power amplifiers: M100, D250/II Servo, REF 210, D70, D115,
Solid state power: 100.2, D130,D200/300/400/II, D240
Keep in mind my experience with most later gear is limited to shops, friends' systems, and the occasional show.
The solid state designs really win the award for most improved- wonderfully dynamic, transparent, and neutral. After 4 years with the LS3> D130 as my office system, I could be a convert to a tube preamplifiers and a solid state power. In my view, the solid sate are so good now, that with the right sources and a great- tube preamp, very little is given up. I honestly believe that a modern tube power amplifier like the various VT's VS, etc. would be noticeable but not represent an irresistible leap in quality. For example, I could envisage the SP10 > 2- 100.2's vertically biamping > Vandersteen 3A's. The D400/II has been another consideration, especially as I contemplate planar speakers.
I had a revealing experience in 2005 as just to try it, I ran a Revox B160 tuner ($1,000 in 1988) using AQ King Cobra IC's through a Sony receiver (2-100W, $150 in 2002) and the results were disturbingly good. I then put the SP10 into the Sony and realized that a very good source and great preamp into a fairly neutral though very cheap power amplifier can give a surprisingly good result. When I changed the Sony for the D130 (solid state 130W), I heard some of the best FM I'd ever heard and that rivaled or equaled the McIntosh MX110 (tube tuner section is related to the MR67)> SP10> D115.
The thing is, the maintenance costs of tube power amplifiers can work out to be quite a lot of money- and carrying the D115 around- 70lbs in the box, worrying about damage when it travels, and I admit to a sensation of "the meter running" sometimes. The D115 needs new electrolytics and retubing- the 6922's and 6FQ7's are the 1987 originals and the Philips ECG 6550's have been in there since 2001 (stored since 2004). This will cost in the region of $1,000 to put right. In regular use I'll need power tubes again in about three years. The dilemna is that the D115 sound is wonderful, but the 100.2 is too in a slightly different way and less fuss and expense. Also, the tubes in the SP10 are difficult to get right- the 4- phono tubes and 2- line stage gain tubes ($500) and in my case, the gain pot is very noisy and probably needs replacing ($200).
Audio, while ostensibly about finding satisfying sound reproduction, still means the priorities shift. Ordinarily, I don't make cost the first priority, but these are troubled times for me- I was with without income most of 2008, had a stressful conflict with an insane landlady who is promising to sue me for my having forced her to comply with California law, and just spent a pile to move (last Thursday).
Music is a great solace and consolation for me, and as much as I enjoy some degree of fussing about with the gear, I'm ready now for a period of getting everything going to a good standard and then not having to think about anything but the music for a good while. I'm hoping to have my OracleIII / McIntosh MR67 > SP10 > D115 > Vandersteen 2C system going, but at the moment I think I could be very happy if I made it the Oracle/MR67 > SP8 > D130. My attorney "Bruiser" had an Acura NSX and a Porsche 997 cabrio, blasting around, but now drives an Infinity M35 now- and is happy to sit back in quiet and comfort at the average Los Angeles freeway speed of 11MPH,..
I'm not alone in looking for new audio satisfaction equations- I've noticed an increasing number of posts in various places around here concerning "downsizing". I believe it's that some people acknowledging the impossibility of perfection, the effort, stress, and cost of the pursuit of the technology against the real point of it all- concentrating on the music.
Cheers,
Bambi B
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Follow Ups
- ARC's tube vs. solid state - priorities and audio satisfaction - Bambi B 06/9/0907:31:03 06/9/09 (2)
- I assume you are aware that ARC recommends ..... - Chuck Y 09:17:27 06/10/09 (0)
- Perhaps, Bambi, it's a maturing process, this desire to reach - tinear 23:50:25 06/9/09 (0)
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