Tube or SS

[GregLett]

OK. I think I'm good with my front end, CD Player and Preamp both Tube.
The question now is weather I should get a SS or Tube amp. I currently
have an old 100W Rotel SS amp, that I want to replace.

Your Thoughts??


Thanks.

[David Meek]

Greg, I know the CD is a Jolida but out of curiousity what pre-amp do you have? Oh, are there any budget constraints? If not, Halcro DM-58 monoblocks would be nice.

[GregLett]

On a budget? Ohhhh yes!. The preamp is a Prima Luna Prlogue three. I'm going to pick up an the amp the end of this year. I'm going to listen to the Nuforce amps, before I make a purchase.

[Bob]

Even though I use tube monoblocks, my advice would be SS. Dollar for dollar it tends to be a better buy. More importantly, why do you want to replace the amp you have? What do you want your new amp to do differently? Is your Rotel not quiet, are you looking for more bass control, a different sounding mid range, or just looking to buy something new for the sake of buying something new?

[Bam!]

IMHO the sound of tubes can not be compared to SS. The imaging, the texture, the even order harmonics, the lower mid...the fat!

Question is, what is the efficiency of your speakers ?

[GregLett]

why do you want to replace the amp you have? What do you want your new amp to do differently? Is your Rotel not quiet, are you looking for more bass control, a different sounding mid range, or just looking to buy something new for the sake of buying something new?[/QUOTE]

Bob, 

My Rotel is 15 yrs old with a non-detachable power cord. It is quiet,
but I know newer amps would give me better overall performance.
I once owned a Rotel RB-1080 which was better the the 980 I have now.
I sold it to purchase a Rotel 1090. In the process of doing so I heard
an integrated tube amp and that halted the process. I did'n want to
go to an integrated amp, so I waited until the manufacturer produced seperates.
The sound of my system is good, but could be better. I've heard different takes
on all tube, vs Tube front end and ss amps. I will have an on oppertunity
to audition the Nu force amps(in house) in the near future, so I'll get a sense of that. I hope to arrange an in house Tube demo also, but at the moment
that's not likely.

[GregLett]

Question is, what is the efficiency of your speakers ?[/QUOTE]

Bam,

They are rated at 91%. In a year or so I will go to larger speakers
around the same efficiency or higher. At least that's the plan.
On my short list is:
Von Schweikert VR4 jr
Focal Electra 1027 Be

[Bob]

http://www.audioresearch.com/VS55.html

This is a amp I would reccomend you give a listen to.

[GregLett]

Ok thanks.