Quote:
Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2
Thought I was 'done with tubes', but just can't find the same 'musical magic' with solid-state.
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A couple of years ago I did try out a 250 w/channel hybrid power amp that had rave reviews. The salesman claimed it would definitely beat the Classic 60, which is what salesmen do. It turned out the hybrid was a solid power amp with good tone, control, and heft, but it couldn't match the harmonics, textural density, decay, and other nuances that the Classic 60 delivered. And this was with stock tubes. So after weeks of break-in the hybrid went back.
With NOS or vintage tubes (4 EL34 Mullards, 2 Sylvania 6DJ8, 1 RFT 12AU7) the Classic 60 is even better - by a long shot, imho. My system does sound pretty fantastic as is and maybe I should just get off the upgrade merry-go-round. Having said that I may still try out something like an LP70s or an LP125sa in which case I'll post my impressions.