Valve-like Solid State

Yes I agree.

I had MK1 405s and they had a Valve like sound. Would the MK2 405 also have a Valve like sound?

 

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i now that i may sound bias, of course not, but having had the M6I int. on test as a single ended s.s. it is awesome to relevent single ended valve amps, or hi-brids now i have always being a class A fan on S.S. now i am using the M6I AS A PRE-AMP with the AMS35p wow class A power amp and single end pre-amp output, best of all worldsa,
nando.

 

Does some Naim amps have Valve like sound?

Naim amps such as the new Nait 5i, Naim XS and Super Nait.

 

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NO,
nando.

 

not mk2, and def. not naim,
nando.

 

Cheers Nando,

How comes the 405 MK2 don't have a Valve like sound like the MK1 405?

Mind you, the Quad 405s I had (MK1) were modified.

 

when the original 405 was designed it was a great experiment on current dampling device, how ever the only thing that let it down was a very unable or suitable enough transformer, after A few hours it will loose it's drive at high volume, i use to power tannoy buckinghamms with it, the tannoy's were 92db sensitivity at 8 ohms, the quad mk2 was based on mosfet,
nando.

 

Any transistor amp with a soft, diffuse quality and lacking in transparency is described as 'having a valve like' quality. If you really want a 'valve like quality' buy a valve amp - better still, buy a good one and then it won't suffer from the qualities often used to describe mediocre transistor amps.

 

Hello Keith,

My Parasound Halo JC1's are considered to have a tube sound

 

There is little difference between them -the protection circuit allows greater peak current on the Mk2.
When not clipping there isn't a difference.

If a transistor amplifier sounds like what people perceive as the classic valve sound - big, soft, warm, smooth - it isn't working properly or is inaccurate. Really good valve amplifiers sound very like good SS amplifiers.
That's from the POV that says the output should resemble the input as closely as possible. If someone likes an amplifier that is quite clearly 'wrong' judged on this criteria, that is fine, so long as they aren't under the impression that what they are hearing is something with better transparency or ability.

 

Last week I auditioned the new Pass Labs INT 150 integrated amp driving a pair of ATC SMC40. Really detailed and accurate yet warm and beguiling presentation. I couldn't help thinking of a good valve amp -and I guess Nelson Pass couldn't either - but driving a pair of ATC to serious SPL's is something only really powerful valve gear can achieve.

So best from both worlds? Dunno. Musically engaging and satisfying? I bettcha :respect:

Regards,

Vincula