Solid state designs?

[GerryJ]

Hello, I realize this is a tube forum. I always assumed tube amps were easier to assemble and tweak, experiment, etc with than SS, but an EE told me that's untrue, SS was actually easier (as well as safer).
So, what do you guys think? Any experience or interest in SS builds?

[pompeiisneaks]

I don't know a simple answer. I am not great at either honestly, but I would say to my general understanding, the topologies are pretty similar, but for SS voltages generally are much safer.

For clean sounding output SS is better usually as well, 100% perfect reproduction without any added color. Tubes otoh add color that many want and prefer...

The only SS design I tried once was a Class D one and I butchered that badly

Edit: I meant to say that due to lower voltages solid state is much safer, with similar tweaking capabilities.

~Phil

[imjonwain]

Depends on your point of view and goals. I think tube amps tend to be simpler to understand at a surface level, a little more forgiving design wise, and there are so many well documented designs it's easier to find clear info on "tweaks" for diy projects. SS amps not so much and they tend to be less forgiving of abuse.

My current projects are mainly SS. It's what I've been messing with most lately out of boredom and it translates into my day work more so.

I played a Retro Channel RR1 at a guitar shop years ago and was impressed. I've been waiting for an affordable used one to pop up online so I could trace it out.

It's pretty quiet but the SS guitar amp forum is a good resource. Teemok wrote a 400+ page book (free PDF) on the topic that's worth reading.

[pdf64]

… I always assumed tube amps were easier to assemble and tweak, experiment, etc with than SS, but an EE told me that's untrue, SS was actually easier (as well as safer).
…

It’s very true for pedals, maybe low power amps. Stuff that can be breadboarded and tinkered with.
But proper solid state amps, powerful enough for band use - nah.
Well designed pcbs are essential
And 160V backed up with 50mF reservoir caps is pretty fearsome, get careless around that and there’ll be a big problem.

[bepone]

tube amps are more simpler, easier to work and service, easier to assebly, using bigger components which again again are easier to mount...doesnt need any heatsink, no explosion (rarely), no dangerous to the speaker when something in short circuit,
very big MINUS; dangerous also for the human if no caution in service

SS amps, all negative, not dangerous for the human, but no pleasure for asembly, no pleasure or pain in the ass (100x more) for servicing, difficult to measure working points, pcbs must be used (often), often there is smoke and explosion, when failed also speaker is pulled to death too, making financial damage to the owner.. need special attention to heatsink and cooling

[TUBEDUDE]

No interest.

[roberto]

Depends on your point of view and goals. I think tube amps tend to be simpler to understand at a surface level, a little more forgiving design wise, and there are so many well documented designs it's easier to find clear info on "tweaks" for diy projects. SS amps not so much and they tend to be less forgiving of abuse.

I would say that tubes are apparently simpler, but SS can be way simpler. In the last years I'm working in simplifying SS design in order to get triode-like curves from SS without any global feedback. As for now I've used it for recovery stages or single gain stage Hi-Fi- amps.

Teemok wrote a 400+ page book (free PDF) on the topic that's worth reading.

The Bible!