1 punchy and tight but more fatiguing. 2 airy and relaxed but less controlled. Unless my YT is broken, I think we know which amp is which. I actually preferred the Constellation and not surprised you sold it - great value product if there can be such a thing in High End. Really enjoying your videos guys - many thanks and keep up the good work.
Could we get a list of music played. These tracks were great. No 1 is sharper and and more articulate with greater dynamics…..number two a shade warmer and not as articulate on top end (at least through an IPad…lol)…..but voicing was great. Your setup is killer. That said I like number 2 as less fatiguing long term, but one was more exciting to hear. Guessing 2 is tubes. Heard these speakers at Axpona….incredible.
I've built MOSFET, Class A amplification and Valve, OTL kits from Transcendent Sound. Connecting the cathode directly to the loudspeaker terminal is a revelation.
Through my HiFiMan HE1000SE and Chord DAC, number 2 appeared to have less brightness on top and an overall warmer sound. I like solid-state amps, but tubes seem to bring it all home for me. That's a great setup in that listening room with some world-class ancillary gear.
I've never heard tubes , only Solid State ...my local hifi shop have stated replacement tubes are now impossible to source....should I still consider tube amps ?
Prefer presentation #1, which I believe is the Soulution as it is a bit more punchy and detailed presentation. Both are excellent nonetheless. Thank you.
Much preferred the 2nd amp. The instrumental and vocal textures sounded more fleshed out with a greater sense of image density and solidity. With the first amp I heard more of the transient attack of instruments with a greater sense of speed but in comparison for me there was a hollow quality to the sound. Instrument and vocal info- sounded thin and not as fleshed out. The 2nd amp for me just sounded more textured that gave the music a organic and human quality. YMMV
In the so called battle of tube and solid state amplification the first thing people need to abandon is the concept of "better." Both are good and each appeal to their users for different reasons. I think SS appeals to people who just want to set up an amp and not mess with it. Tubes on the other hand are for people who enjoy messing with their amps. I fall into the tube camp but believe me tube rolling can get very dysfunctional very fast. As for the SS camp, there are probably folks who roll DACS faster than tube guys roll tubes. The origin of best goes back to the days when the audio biz made the decision to go to solid state because of the cost of manufacturing. SS was cheaper to build and it took it a long time to catch up to the tube technology it replaced. So keep that in in when auditioning vintage receivers from the 1970s and 80s. However, today I'd say its pretty even Steven between the two formats and the selection of one over the other has more to do with personality types than hifi technology. So pick the one that suits you best, enjoy it, and don't look back!
Enjoyed both but prefer 2 which I suspect is Soulution but if not, then full marks to VAC for getting better bass than Soulution which is known fo its bass. 2 is less bright and more natural for me as well....through my Mac and headphones. Great comparison and thanks for sharing. More videos with Berkeley Ref 3 DAC please and would be great if you could play Joni Mitchell's Cherokee Louise from Night Ride Home and Rickie Lee Jones Rebel Rebel. No worries if not possible. Many thanks for your efforts and sharing. Most enjoyable and great music.
They both sound tops, but #2 for me... #1 has a bit more leading-edge attack, a wee bit drier and 'liver' sounding. #2 a wee bit warmer & more fluid. I'll guess that's the VAC🎶😉
Both sound great 👍🏼 but No.1 🎬 gets my vote cause the Solid State the Soulution is a better match with the speakers 🔊 bit more details, punchy, energetic and the presentation of the music on track 1 and 2 was really nice. But if I choose voices and fluid flavor I choose No.2 🎬 which is the VAC more smoothly, liquid, relaxing tube flavor 👽✌🏼✨🛸
For my taste, #1 by a good margin, eventhough it's a bit edgier and upfront, which are not my usual preferences. Pretty sure it's the Soulution. Spectacular performance I must say, even through a YT video!
I’ll take the longevity and accuracy of solid state any day,all though I highly love the sound of VAC electronics,number 2 is for me better musicality and detail,all that money spent not really impressed overall
My guess is #1 was SS and #2 was tube. I thought the bass sounded more real on #2, just more real in general… All I really care about is, does it actually sound like the real thing? So, #2 for me….
That kind of music will always sound pleasant, even on budget systems. To give a real test, much more complex music is required. I think that’s why those who want a good sound, and are into HiFi gear, listen to the usual suspects like Diana Krall….its pleasant sounding,unfussy, and plain. Something like hard rock is a much better choice to test systems. Even thrash metal and orchestral. Pop music too, but music with a few instruments and a voice is just what dealers use for a reason. Those amps will be up to the job, but they will lose in certain areas too.
U've got a different perspective sonicly Cuz I dun brings em to the rings n fight, instead separated em in directions Why dun I combine em together..Hmm endgame system for audiophiles IEM..peace!
Shootouts are meaningless if you don’t ID which gear is playing and when. No one has learned anything other than both pieces sound great for different reasons. Thumbs down.
It was a tough one. I could live with either, but number 1 gets my vote. The music choices were excellent!
1 punchy and tight but more fatiguing. 2 airy and relaxed but less controlled. Unless my YT is broken, I think we know which amp is which. I actually preferred the Constellation and not surprised you sold it - great value product if there can be such a thing in High End. Really enjoying your videos guys - many thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks Dave
Could we get a list of music played. These tracks were great. No 1 is sharper and and more articulate with greater dynamics…..number two a shade warmer and not as articulate on top end (at least through an IPad…lol)…..but voicing was great. Your setup is killer. That said I like number 2 as less fatiguing long term, but one was more exciting to hear. Guessing 2 is tubes. Heard these speakers at Axpona….incredible.
These videos are awesome one suggestion just at the end just let us know which amp played when, thank you
When do we get the results?
I've built MOSFET, Class A amplification and Valve, OTL kits from Transcendent Sound. Connecting the cathode directly to the loudspeaker terminal is a revelation.
it was the second one for me but I would love to know which was which.
Can you please let me know which amp was in presentation 1 please?
Soulution. And the new 331 is even BETTER!
@ thank you impressive
Through my HiFiMan HE1000SE and Chord DAC, number 2 appeared to have less brightness on top and an overall warmer sound. I like solid-state amps, but tubes seem to bring it all home for me. That's a great setup in that listening room with some world-class ancillary gear.
Thank you!
I've never heard tubes , only Solid State ...my local hifi shop have stated replacement tubes are now impossible to source....should I still consider tube amps ?
Prefer presentation #1, which I believe is the Soulution as it is a bit more punchy and detailed presentation. Both are excellent nonetheless. Thank you.
Name of artist and song please
@@andrewarevalo8838 you can use Shazam to easily tag songs
Much preferred the 2nd amp. The instrumental and vocal textures sounded more fleshed out with a greater sense of image density and solidity.
With the first amp I heard more of the transient attack of instruments with a greater sense of speed but in comparison for me there was a hollow quality to the sound. Instrument and vocal info- sounded thin and not as fleshed out.
The 2nd amp for me just sounded more textured that gave the music a organic and human quality. YMMV
Nice on both they both sound great
In the so called battle of tube and solid state amplification the first thing people need to abandon is the concept of "better." Both are good and each appeal to their users for different reasons. I think SS appeals to people who just want to set up an amp and not mess with it. Tubes on the other hand are for people who enjoy messing with their amps. I fall into the tube camp but believe me tube rolling can get very dysfunctional very fast. As for the SS camp, there are probably folks who roll DACS faster than tube guys roll tubes. The origin of best goes back to the days when the audio biz made the decision to go to solid state because of the cost of manufacturing. SS was cheaper to build and it took it a long time to catch up to the tube technology it replaced. So keep that in in when auditioning vintage receivers from the 1970s and 80s. However, today I'd say its pretty even Steven between the two formats and the selection of one over the other has more to do with personality types than hifi technology. So pick the one that suits you best, enjoy it, and don't look back!
No 1 sounds lively and no 2 is more dense
Enjoyed both but prefer 2 which I suspect is Soulution but if not, then full marks to VAC for getting better bass than Soulution which is known fo its bass. 2 is less bright and more natural for me as well....through my Mac and headphones. Great comparison and thanks for sharing. More videos with Berkeley Ref 3 DAC please and would be great if you could play Joni Mitchell's Cherokee Louise from Night Ride Home and Rickie Lee Jones Rebel Rebel. No worries if not possible. Many thanks for your efforts and sharing. Most enjoyable and great music.
#1 sounds more up-front, and #2 sounds more distant. I hear this most on the vocals. I vote for #1
#1 for me, and I believe it is solid state.
#2 for me this time too!
To my old ears.... I preferred the sound of cuts #2,#3,#4,#5, #6!
They both sound tops, but #2 for me...
#1 has a bit more leading-edge attack, a wee bit drier and 'liver' sounding.
#2 a wee bit warmer & more fluid. I'll guess that's the VAC🎶😉
Both sound great 👍🏼 but No.1 🎬 gets my vote cause the Solid State the Soulution is a better match with the speakers 🔊 bit more details, punchy, energetic and the presentation of the music on track 1 and 2 was really nice. But if I choose voices and fluid flavor I choose No.2 🎬 which is the VAC more smoothly, liquid, relaxing tube flavor 👽✌🏼✨🛸
You can hear solid state a mile away and you can hear push pull against se a mile away
Cool! So which one is which?
@@highendaudio
The solution played the first half Vac was second.
What do I win?
@@hifi2169a T shirt
@@highendaudio
Awesome !
I’m a customer of yours in Omaha, so I’d be very glad to have a T-shirt.
@@hifi2169 excellent! Send me an email. I’ll ask our marketing team to send you something,
I liked #2 best
The first set of tracks sounds like valves to me. The second, not so much.
For my taste, #1 by a good margin, eventhough it's a bit edgier and upfront, which are not my usual preferences. Pretty sure it's the Soulution. Spectacular performance I must say, even through a YT video!
Prefer number 1 the solution, but is it $10 thousand better than the vac I don't think so 😁
Rõ ràng VAC đã thể hiện trường âm tốt hơn, nhưng sức nặng lại thua kém chút ít. Cá nhân tôi sẽ chọn VAC vì đặc tính âm nhạc
#1 easily. #2 sounded underpowered lacking dynamic 'danger'.
Number 1. Way more bass impact, not even close for me
I’ll take the longevity and accuracy of solid state any day,all though I highly love the sound of VAC electronics,number 2 is for me better musicality and detail,all that money spent not really impressed overall
Vac would be my choice based on this video (#2)
My guess is #1 was SS and #2 was tube. I thought the bass sounded more real on #2, just more real in general… All I really care about is, does it actually sound like the real thing? So, #2 for me….
That kind of music will always sound pleasant, even on budget systems. To give a real test, much more complex music is required. I think that’s why those who want a good sound, and are into HiFi gear, listen to the usual suspects like Diana Krall….its pleasant sounding,unfussy, and plain. Something like hard rock is a much better choice to test systems. Even thrash metal and orchestral. Pop music too, but music with a few instruments and a voice is just what dealers use for a reason. Those amps will be up to the job, but they will lose in certain areas too.
I prefer No.1
#1 in Texas
U've got a different perspective sonicly Cuz I dun brings em to the rings n fight, instead separated em in directions Why dun I combine em together..Hmm endgame system for audiophiles IEM..peace!
#1
prefer 2 more relaxed sound.
Soulution-1
VAC-2
1st one is superior.
2, 5, 6
Tube vs solid state 😂ha children must play
I prefer #2.
1!!!
Shootouts are meaningless if you don’t ID which gear is playing and when. No one has learned anything other than both pieces sound great for different reasons.
Thumbs down.
#1
#1