Solid state Vs tube amplifiers

Hi Everyone!
Today we're taking a listen to a solid state amplifier (Accuphase E-280 integrated) and a tube amplifier (Audio Research i50) to try and give you an idea of the differences in their sound. If you're trying to decide between a solid state or tube amp, this video might be some help to you.

[robertkemper]

I own both solid state and vacuum tube amplifiers.
At best this comparison describes ONLY the these particular amps' relative performance with these particular speakers. Additionally, the solid state device has many more controls that unless bypassed mitigate the value of the comparison. That is, these is more circuitry between the input signal and the output. Your point about better tube amps providing better soundstaging is correct.

[Bannaeable]

What would make more sense would be using a truly analog source - a turntable. Digital mostly masks some sound attributes. And also surprisingly you couldn't get a good spatial imaging using on tubes. Couldn't imagine why ? Anyway, keep on good working.

[honahwikeepa]

Kia ora from Sydney brother. Love your content. Up the All Blacks!

[ridirefain]

I found this to be a fair comparison between the two amps. It would not be for the two typologies. As stated in a previous response, there is too much variety in how tube amps sound. ARC tends to be tube gear that tries to be accurate over being sweet. Their products should not be considered a full representation of the typology. That being said I too feel that vocals out of a Tube Amps sound more natural, SS amps to me are better with dynamic swings and extension. Regardless there is a lot of different characteristics in-between, and one should be careful not to overgeneralize. The biggest drawback of tube gear I find is the maintenance of the tubes, followed by their excessive HEAT, specially designs that run is pure class A. It is like have a 300-degree oven running with its door open in your listening room. SS state amps can run hot as well, but I have yet to run across one that gets as toasty as a tube amp. Regardless, nice job, and keep up the good work.

[julesl]

Tube is the best, nothing beats them. If you don't want to spend time learning how they work or to maintain them, then solid state will be great but it's just not the same. In my opinion, I'd rather have a bookshelf tube system that sounds great than a $20, 000 giant solid state system. Only one of them will be realistic.

[yhtomit]

If I may say so, it might have been best if you had also mentioned the sensitivity of the Sonus faber Olympica Nova II, which is only 88 db. That's in the range of "not very efficient." Plus it's a 4 ohm impedance speaker. Am I right in thinking that if you had done your tests on more efficient speakers, say something in the range of 92 db efficient, you might have had different results, such as that the faults you found with the tube amp might have been overcome or at least diminished? I don't have a tube amp and have never had one, but I am considering getting one, just for that "natural" sound, or however one wants to describe it. And I am aware that every amp has its own sound characteristics.

Thanks for the good presentation.

[stevestringer]

Excellent presentation, very informative, another great review.

[thennekcdcdthennek]

Audiophile's don't really have to choose. Probably they want all hi-fi capable amps available 😅

[dab]

The main advantage of the tube amp is that it is better able to drive the most difficult loudspeakers. Even if the impedance drops to 1 ohm, it won't collapse, which isn't the same story with transistor amps. After that, there's a huge variety of tube amps out there, and for me the best are the ones with just one power tube, like the 2A3, 300B, 805, 811, 845 - that's nirvana ! 😍

[drkennethnoisewater]

WOW! Beautiful setup!! I myself, have a "hybrid" amp, by heaven11.

[MadViking]

Great insight on the differences and its clearly Accuphase for me. Which model would be the better fit for a pair of Buchardt S400MKii speakers with an impedance of 4 ohms and a 88 dB sensitivity? Would a e280 be sufficient or do i need to step up to the e380? Thank you.

[donnanderson]

Probably not a totally fair comparison as the I/50 is Audio Research's lowest price and lowest power amp.

[terrywho]

This is a nice effort, but it's FAR too small of a sample size to draw any proper conclusions. For example, in direct contrast to your observations, *most* tube amps produce a larger, more holographic and enveloping soundstage than *most* solid state amps. Also while tube amps generally have excellent tonality, the most accurate tonality I've heard was produced by a solid state amp (which happened to be made by Bryston.) Consistent with your observations, tubes do have a tendency to sound more life-like and *usually* perform worse in terms of dynamics and bass response, however better designed tube amps have great dynamics and bass and rival solid state amps in this respect. Even start-up times to peak performance vary as much by manufacturer and topology as they do by output device. I think it would be worthwhile to try a few pairs of amps to see how your comments about each device holds up.

[davidbishop]

You said that this is the only integrated that AR make. But I have a VSi75 which I think is still a current model.

[aquacamel]

Sounds like solid state might be the go for exteme metal

[Abraxus]

I wish I could listen them some day, but its impossible

[Relayera]

As soon as you say "real" instruments sounded more real, what else needs to be said? Now, to be fair that doesn't definitively say tubes sound more real than solid state. Just between these two amps. And in my opinion that's more to do with Accuphase. I have never heard an Accuphase amp that had that quality. Always sounded lacking in that area. It's hard to put into words because you have to rely on terms that others will understand. But there is a sound that has always been attributed to Japanese audio components that Accuphase epitomizes. Some call it harsh or analytical. Some say fatiguing. Whatever it is I find it gets in between you and the music and stops you from getting truly emersed in the music.

I don't think all japanese components do this. Luxman, for example, isn't like that. At least not across the board. And even their "lesser" stuff still has the ability to get out of the way of the music.

[saltyolive_]

the audio research i50 are the most un tube like amp i heard.. so i didnt understand why you said its tubey... it isnt

[scor]

If both specify a same type of power, this is the same power. 100W rms is 100W rms. Tubes do not have their own magical watts. And different horse power numbers of american cars in 70s because of different standards do not relate to tube to solid state migration happened that time also. If someone means an ancient high ohms loudspeakers designed specially for tubes, then common that’s an absolutely different story.