power amps....tubes vs SS

[MooseTrackz]

Ah Gentlemen,
I'm in need of your valued opinions/experiences, my power amp (a hafler 500) died a sad and ignominious death in the recent past and I'm looking to replace it with something with a bit of ooomph, for those occasions when one needs to annoy the cows four fields over! I'm open to suggestions here and have been looking at tube and solid state and also the hybrids with what seems to be the best of both routes, what say ye? Thanks!

[Ivor]

what speakers do they need to drive?

[james]

Valve amps have higher running costs since the valves have to be replaced periodically ?!

[Diapason]

If you're thinking "oomph" then valves would not really be the conventional route, unless you're running very high-senstivity speakers (think horns!) High-powered valves are an option, of course, but harder to find and generally pricey.

I'd probably stick to SS, but I wouldn't rule out Class D amps either. Some of them are awful of course, but when it's done right the bass and drive is amazing, and they just sound unburstable.

[ConorW]

Hi
I have a Hafler P3000 Trans Nova power amp available. Will take €75 (a bargain). Might see you through for a while.
It is a US 120V device.
I have it on Adverts http://www.adverts.ie/home-audio/hafler ... mp/1653035

Conor

[ConorW]

Sorry, Hafler P3000 now sold

[MooseTrackz]

so what exactly is the attraction of tube amps? More expensive, parts that need replacing on some cosmic schedule, lowish power? What's the secret then? I'm intrigued.

[Ivor]

so what exactly is the attraction of tube amps? More expensive, parts that need replacing on some cosmic schedule, lowish power? What's the secret then? I'm intrigued.

A warm musical, and some would say, more natural sound. I've also found tubes to be more detailed than SS or at least they present the detail with more subtlety than SS.

[Diapason]

It's the midrange magic: voices and instruments floating in the air, not forced at you, instrumental timbres, imaging, just a lifelike sound. It all hinges on what you listen to and what sound you like, though. Not to mention the rest of your system.