Tubes to transistors, is it worthwhile

Charles Wasserf · 26th October 2009, 03:37 PM

I have only ever built tube amps but now need about 50 to 100 W and would like to try solid state mainly to avoid the very expensive output transformers which I have to import.
I am sure other members have also moved away from tubes. What I would like to know is if there have been any regrets and longing to go back to tube sound. Bearing in mind my power needs, which of the many designs should I focus on.
I will use a tube pre-amp so a straight power amp recommendation will be appreciated. Sound quality to be given priority over all other considerations

Regards

Bas Horneman · 26th October 2009, 03:38 PM

What an EVIL post!!!!

kevinkr · 26th October 2009, 03:47 PM

I moved from tubes to solid state and back to tubes, and haven't looked back. I would take the hit on those transformers were it me or look for someone with some to sell..

a.wayne · 27th October 2009, 12:57 AM

Went from tubes to transistors and never looked back

NO more
tranny sound , tube bloat nor expensive mandatory tube replacements ...

Go for it , the future is all yours .....

Geek · 27th October 2009, 01:04 AM

Like Kevin, I went from tubes to transistors to tubes and now mating the best sounding circuits together

Quote:

What an EVIL post!!!!

Agreed

Cheers!

planet10 · 27th October 2009, 01:10 AM

I keep lookin' for a SS amplifier that will give me the enjoyment of the better tube amps i have (i have a couple here that aren't all that great)... still questing... the dual mono MOSFET amp is nice on the woofers thou.

dave

Glowbug · 27th October 2009, 01:20 AM

Although my user name and avatar might indicate otherwise...I like both

Quote:

and would like to try solid state mainly to avoid the very expensive output transformers which I have to import.

OTLs?

Nelson Pass · 27th October 2009, 04:52 AM

In this forum we worship imagination and persistence, not
parts. Tubes and transistors are brothers.

and life moves in clades

Blues · 27th October 2009, 05:30 AM

Main Entry: clade
Pronunciation: \ˈklād\
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek klados
Date: 1911
: a group of biological taxa (as species) that includes all descendants of one common ancestor

I looked it up because I didn't know what it means...

Melon Head · 27th October 2009, 06:05 AM

Maybe try an F4 driven by a tube preamp.
The preamp will need a quite a bit of gain though. The F4 is unity.

26th October 2009, 03:37 PM	#1
Charles Wasserf diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: durban	Tubes to transistors, is it worthwhile I have only ever built tube amps but now need about 50 to 100 W and would like to try solid state mainly to avoid the very expensive output transformers which I have to import. I am sure other members have also moved away from tubes. What I would like to know is if there have been any regrets and longing to go back to tube sound. Bearing in mind my power needs, which of the many designs should I focus on. I will use a tube pre-amp so a straight power amp recommendation will be appreciated. Sound quality to be given priority over all other considerations Regards

26th October 2009, 03:38 PM	#2
Bas Horneman diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Netherlands Blog Entries: 18	What an EVIL post!!!! __________________ Boatanchor amps forum My "adventures" in audio

26th October 2009, 03:47 PM	#3
kevinkr diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Blog Entries: 6	I moved from tubes to solid state and back to tubes, and haven't looked back. I would take the hit on those transformers were it me or look for someone with some to sell.. __________________ "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan

27th October 2009, 01:10 AM	#6
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 5	I keep lookin' for a SS amplifier that will give me the enjoyment of the better tube amps i have (i have a couple here that aren't all that great)... still questing... the dual mono MOSFET amp is nice on the woofers thou. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com, frugal-phile.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA

27th October 2009, 05:30 AM	#9
Blues Lightning In A Bottle diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Milky Way	Word of the Day from NP Main Entry: clade Pronunciation: \ˈklād\ Function: noun Etymology: Greek klados Date: 1911 : a group of biological taxa (as species) that includes all descendants of one common ancestor I looked it up because I didn't know what it means... __________________ Leap into the Warpspeed wormhole... http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/warpspeed/1.html


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27th October 2009, 12:57 AM	#4
a.wayne diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Front Row Center	Went from tubes to transistors and never looked back NO more tranny sound , tube bloat nor expensive mandatory tube replacements ... Go for it , the future is all yours .....

27th October 2009, 04:52 AM	#8
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	In this forum we worship imagination and persistence, not parts. Tubes and transistors are brothers. and life moves in clades

27th October 2009, 06:05 AM	#10
Melon Head Banned Join Date: Nov 2006	Maybe try an F4 driven by a tube preamp. The preamp will need a quite a bit of gain though. The F4 is unity.

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