Quote Originally Posted by Ned664 View Post
I have been reading a bit about valve amps, one passage included the phrase 'I am now listening to music rater than sound' apparently after conversion to using a valve amp. I wondered whether other members have had any experience of the change from SS to valve good or bad?

Thanks
Sadly solid state and valve amps always seem to divide opinion. I'm not sure why TBH.

Let me state that I haven't heard a valve amp for a few years. IMPO there are either good or bad amps. A good SS amp is every bit as good as a valve amp, just as bad valve... is no worse than a bad SS.

Personally, it boils down to practicality: I have my Leema on for about 6-8 hours a day - this includes my usage, Mrs. P and little'un watching her DVDs via the amp. Based on the real fact that most valve tend to overheat, allied to poor perceived power. Obv you'll need load-friendly speakers i.e. 6 ohms upwards and minimum of 90db (these figures can/will depend on the quality of the amp chosen).

Regards the SQ between the two will also vary depending on partnering equipment. A good SS amp can sound as natural as a valve.

As always this observation is based purely on my own experiences.