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Life without tubes

b brian

b brian

Well-Known Member
Anyone else go a little stir crazy when they are unable to listen to their music through their tube gear?
I am taking my mono blocks for a tune up (100 mile break in?) and have had to hook up my Klipsch to my H/K 730 and am having a hard time enjoying the music as much without the tubes.
Hopefully I will be back and tubing soon, but it is trying.
 
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Nope.
Plenty of fine sounding solid state stuff - e.g., the very vintage and not particularly high-end Yamaha CA-800 in class A.

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I have my tube setup out of the system right now, as I have a preamp hum. But, as one poster mentioned, theres a SS system that works quite nicely that gets the job done while repairs are done.
 
olds442111 said:
I have my tube setup out of the system right now, as I have a preamp hum. But, as one poster mentioned, theres a SS system that works quite nicely that gets the job done while repairs are done.
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Quit nicely solid state sound still doesn't measure up to Tubes.....JMHO
 
It all depends on the amp too..

I had to work my a$$ off to get a tube amp/my tube amp to sound as good as my Yamaha M65...I sold several amps (tubes) because it made no sense having one around that couldn't give me the same sound enjoyment.

Finally found it in my Velleman but that took some work and $800 in tubes to achieve...

But I feel your pain...LOL
 
After years working and playing in the audiophile retail arena, I had the opportunity to borrow and listen to some super sounding gear.

I had slowly settled on solid state preamp and large power tube amps. I was able to borrow a fairly new Audio Research 150 watt/channel power amp. I had already settled on KEF 104aB's, with the hideous metal rolling stands (short ones). I had also built a Hafler DH200K power amp to use as a back-up and for use in medium DJ usage.

Over a few weeks I came to like the SS sound of the Hafler and DB Systems pre-amp together, better than a freshly rebuilt Dyna PAS3x with the Audio Research. I had swapped the components back n forth for weeks trying to really decide. I returned the AR amp and Dyna preamp.

I was offered to use a DB Systems power amp (40/channel RMS) while the friend borrowed the Hafler for high power testing of some loud speakers. His shop was broken into and his speakers and my Hafler were stolen.

I've been using the DB Systems pair ever since. It doesn't sound like tubes or SS. It has a very good RIAA stage and very quiet, designed to be tested with actual inductive/reactive phono cart loads, not shunted. It has remained neutral, smooth and detailed since the early 80's.

I'm astonished no one here seems to have any DB Systems gear.
 
If I didn't have a Luxman R-117, then I would just wait for my tubes to come back. Tubes are the only way to go!
 
I can live with SS sound as long as it is a high quality pre-amp/amp combo or a good integrated amp. I prefer the tube sound but, I am not of the school that any tube amp is better sounding than all SS amps.

Your H/K 730 is a good amp with a weak pre-amp I have heard. also, if it has not been rebuilt you may not be hearing the true sound of your receiver. I don't know if rebuilding a 730 would be economically feasible. It would have to be a labor of love.

Keep your spirits up. Your tube gear will be back in your system and life will be good again.:yes:
 
I go through phases where I do a lot of listening, and then not so much. I'm in a "not so much" at the moment. I haven't listened to any of my tube gear in probably 3 weeks, and its simply for lack of desire to really listen to anything. Its not even a case of using solid state kit instead, I just haven't been in a musical mood the last couple weeks. I've been enjoying the silence while reading.
 
Before being given my first tube amp about 6 months ago, I used a SS Sony Vfet on my living room system. Sounds good and supposed to be about the next best thing to valves

But now my wife wonders why the basement, where I have the tube system setup, has become my mancave. I do like valaves!

I also have a SS Marantz, Denon, and even an MCS receiver in case I need backup.
 
arcorob said:
I had to work my a$$ off to get a tube amp/my tube amp to sound as good as my Yamaha M65...I sold several amps (tubes) because it made no sense having one around that couldn't give me the same sound enjoyment.

Finally found it in my Velleman but that took some work and $800 in tubes to achieve...

But I feel your pain...LOL
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I agree. Most vintage tube equipment is muddy compared to high quality SS. I went from PP to SET to cure it. Then with DIY SET. Finally, one PP amp equaled the SET overall as each has its attributes. I do have this freak Fisher 400 that should not sound good stock, but with tube rolling it does sound good too.
 
FONSguy said:
After years working and playing in the audiophile retail arena, I had the opportunity to borrow and listen to some super sounding gear.

I had slowly settled on solid state preamp and large power tube amps. I was able to borrow a fairly new Audio Research 150 watt/channel power amp. I had already settled on KEF 104aB's, with the hideous metal rolling stands (short ones). I had also built a Hafler DH200K power amp to use as a back-up and for use in medium DJ usage.

Over a few weeks I came to like the SS sound of the Hafler and DB Systems pre-amp together, better than a freshly rebuilt Dyna PAS3x with the Audio Research. I had swapped the components back n forth for weeks trying to really decide. I returned the AR amp and Dyna preamp.

I was offered to use a DB Systems power amp (40/channel RMS) while the friend borrowed the Hafler for high power testing of some loud speakers. His shop was broken into and his speakers and my Hafler were stolen.

I've been using the DB Systems pair ever since. It doesn't sound like tubes or SS. It has a very good RIAA stage and very quiet, designed to be tested with actual inductive/reactive phono cart loads, not shunted. It has remained neutral, smooth and detailed since the early 80's.

I'm astonished no one here seems to have any DB Systems gear.
Click to expand...

A PAS3x will trash any power amp. I tried everything & could not make it sound good.
 
Hmmm I never noticed my PAS3x trash any of my power amps. lol As far as the OP yes, I'd miss hearing tubes, that's why you gotta own more than one set-up. I have a backup for the backup for the backup for the......lol
 
I blew a 12bh7 eh tube the other day and freaked. Thank goodness I had a couple backups otherwise I'd be dead in the water. I know how you feel
 
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