What would you never buy again? What would you like to own again?

[Haselsh1]

Not so sure about that. Plenty of rubbish valve amps around. I've heard some shockers. But I also think the best power amps I have heard (to date) have used valves. Power is really the problem, restricting the speaker options. Good and powerful valve amps are mega money and that isn't true of solid state.

OK Martin, I'll go with that because so far I have not heard any shocking valve amps only trannie ones. The cheapest valve amp I ever heard was an Audion Sterling ETSE EL34 single ended and the midrange was sublime. Back then, around 1997,
it was 600 quid brand new and I got a secondhand one for 400 notes just to try out. Gorgeous midrange but only enough power really for my Audio Note AZ 2's and then really sounded its best on acoustic music. Since then my music taste has changed considerably.

I also concede due to listening that big bold powerful trannie amps have an urge and excitement that I have always found missing from valves but that is probably because I have never owned a big bold powerful valve amp. I remember once hearing a Tube Technology Synergy amp, at least I think that was the name, and it was big and bold.

[walpurgis]

Tannoys fail with acoustic music

Can't agree with that.

[anthonyTD]

+1

Can't agree with that.

[struth]

Fight LOL

[jandl100]

JBLs, some are boom tish, but others are quite excellent monitor quality speakers (that put any Tannoy to shame imo).

[montesquieu]

+1

+2

[Starterman]

Beard CA506 pre-amp amp and P100 mk2 power. Exposure 6/7 and super 8 amplifiers, B&W 801, Ruark Templar, Talisman2 and Crusader 2 speakers. Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace tt, Audio Technica OC9 3 cartridge. All fab stuff and the best i have owned.

Bullshit stuff bought on a whim that I was most disappointed with... linn Kaber speakers, Garrard 301 and 401 turntable. Origin Live Encounter tonearm in fact all Origin Live products I have owned. Musical Fidelity A1001 amp (utter shite) Kimber select interconnects.

You made me realise I forgot the Beard P100 Mk2 from my "crap" list.
Ugly, massive and with a relentless sound that makes the fiercest of solid state amps sound dull and smooth!

[Arkless Electronics]

I agree with Floyddroid... Beard P100 is a very good valve amp... I well recall using one with Magneplaner Tympanies which it seemed to drive well and sounded very good.

[southall-1998]

You made me realise I forgot the Beard P100 Mk2 from my "crap" list.
Ugly, massive and with a relentless sound that makes the fiercest of solid state amps sound dull and smooth!

S.

[Barry]

yep the human voice is the sound we, as human beings, recognise most acutely

Something I noticed with Quad ESL57's was that one could be startled by the sheer realism of human voice from a good tuner on the likes of radio 4 when it was actually turned down pretty low.. that and some "sounds off" on radio plays etc, when one had the system just running in the background.. It was just so real sounding that the whole hi-fi-brain thing was out of the window and you could get that "fight or flight" thing for an instance, thinking there was somebody in the room with you.. Spooky!

I do intend to own a pair some day, these were a mates, that I heard regularly... I've refurbished all the electronics in 2 pairs without ever owning a pair

Radio plays off BBC Radio 4 can sound absolutely superb. I often enjoy listening to them. As I do with the recitation of poetry. In fact the presentation of the human voice via Quads is so good, it really annoys me that the continuity announcers on BBC now sound so unnaturally "chesty". Standards have slipped at the Beeb, or maybe they are now balanced to sound 'correct' on the tiny speakers of modern radios and personal stereos.