tube/ss

[Dj_AmTraX]

I like to mix "sweet & sour".

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by two dot

Interesting thread... a lot of good opinions here!

I think that it all depends on your speakers and most importantly your room.

I love my 501's with the 2200 Pre. But also have NO DOUBT that I would love Greg's Tube set up or Jim's SS set up.

Or the Lamm's in Serges system or the SS in Ivans...

You get the idea.

Stephen
I do get what you are saying. I could easily live with 90% of the systems here. I also like the Ayre MXR/KXR, the MBL gear, Zanden, the Pass Amps, etc.

I think sometimes we hear someone else's system and like it because it is different from our own and you hear the warts in your own system easier.

Jim

[two dot]

I couldn't agree more!

I know that I could listen and LOOK at your system all day and all night long.

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by Stillone

Stephen
I do get what you are saying. I could easily live with 90% of the systems here. I also like the Ayre MXR/KXR, the MBL gear, Zanden, the Pass Amps, etc.

I think sometimes we hear someone else's system and like it because it is different from our own and you hear the warts in your own system easier.

Jim

Or the case of "The Grass Is Simply Greener On The Other Side" !

This happens to me each and every time UNTIL my current system comes along where I am now enjoying the fruits of my labor every day for at least 2 hours. I attribute my change to the following:

1. The MCD500
2. The Acapellas
3. The Argento Audio Cables & Interconnects
4. I "Grew Up" ! Takes a long time and a whole long journey! I am NOT ashamed to admit some changes are done purely on impulse!

The best thing? I made a bunch of great friends in the former AK forum and now continue to have them in this AA forum! Some I have met when they come over (Jim, for twice meeting up).

That makes my every day a HAPPY day!

Thanks Ivan!

Cheers!

[salmtpa]

Originally Posted by ltleo

whats your take, a tube pre amp with a ss amp, or the other way around.

or are you just a tube, or ss kinda mc guy

I found I like the control of the ss amp, but crave the breath of a tube preamp. thus my c2300 and 501.

your thoughts?

I'm using an Audio Research LS26 tube pre with a SS MC402 amp. To me it wasn't a question of tube vs ss, but I wanted a fully balanced preamp. Listened to Ayre, Krell, and ARC. Couldn't afford the C1000 or 500. Ultimately the LS26 won me over, though I did have some hesitations initially given the fairly low input impedance of the MC402. I have a great local dealer and was able to home audition the preamps of interest over quite a few weekends. To say I'm happy with the LS26 would be a major understatement. It does not have the tube "warmth" that most tube aficionados seem to crave. Very untube-like in that it is actually very neutral, transparent, open, and dynamic. And I now have a fully balanced signal stream from source to power amp.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by salmtpa

And I now have a fully balanced signal stream from source to power amp.

And it looks like you have a very nice system. Those Maggie's can be very nice and they do seem, to pair up well with both Mc and Audio Research.

[salmtpa]

Thansk you Stillone! The Mac amps and Maggies do seem to have a certain special something. My local dealer just picked up McIntosh less than a year ago and he has carried Maggie and Wilson for years, he now swears by Mac amplification for both lines. And this from a dealer who also carries Krell, Levinson and Ayre. I just posted in another thread that the Wilson Sophia2 with Mac amplification is also pretty special. Are those MBLs in your avatar? They're on my "must listen to" list.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by salmtpa

Thansk you Stillone! The Mac amps and Maggies do seem to have a certain special something. My local dealer just picked up McIntosh less than a year ago and he has carried Maggie and Wilson for years, he now swears by Mac amplification for both lines. And this from a dealer who also carries Krell, Levinson and Ayre. I just posted in another thread that the Wilson Sophia2 with Mac amplification is also pretty special. Are those MBLs in your avatar? They're on my "must listen to" list.

Yes, I have had the MBL 111e's for about a year now.
Your dealer does carry some nice lines there. It's funny my dealer is just the opposite. I was there last Saturday and although he carries McIntosh, Krell and Wilson, he prefers to match the Krells with the 1k's, the Wilson's or B&W. It might be the cynic in me but I wonder which has the larger profit margin.

I actually think the Sophia2 sounds better in most circumstances to the WP 8's.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Stillone

Stephen
I do get what you are saying. I could easily live with 90% of the systems here. I also like the Ayre MXR/KXR, the MBL gear, Zanden, the Pass Amps, etc.

I think sometimes we hear someone else's system and like it because it is different from our own and you hear the warts in your own system easier.

Jim

Jim, although I do enjoy a good tube system like many out there, there were a few systems that have made me forget all about tubes. One of them was....

[IMG][/IMG]

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Stillone

Yes, I have had the MBL 111e's for about a year now.
Your dealer does carry some nice lines there. It's funny my dealer is just the opposite. I was there last Saturday and although he carries McIntosh, Krell and Wilson, he prefers to match the Krells with the 1k's, the Wilson's or B&W. It might be the cynic in me but I wonder which has the larger profit margin.

I actually think the Sophia2 sounds better in most circumstances to the WP 8's.

WP8's are now history... I will have the Sophia 2s in my own system in a week to see if I can live with the Wilson sound long term.