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Budget Tube Integrated? + Tube related questions

Hi Gurus,

I'm building my first hifi for a new apartment I will be moving into. The system will go into the living room (about 11 by 11ft) and will be used for music mostly and TV/movies occasionally.

I'm keen on a Tube integrated, as I would love a natural, warm sound. I love Jazz and I hear that tubes and vinyl are a match made in heaven (looking to build a vinyl setup in the near future but for now just an Airport Express with lossless files).

Unfortunately my budget is about 500-600 for the amp, and so far only Jolida's offerings seem to be in the ballpark (excluding Chinese amps like Qinpu - are these any good by the way?) Cheaper tubes also tend to have lower outputs, around 20w into 8ohms for the Jolida FX10.

Is it absolutely necessary to get high sensitivity speakers in such a case? Or would these amps be ok driving regular budget bookshelves (like the Wharfedale Diamonds or PSB Alpha/Image, Paradigm monitors etc.)? Since my room is pretty tiny, I was wondering if it'd be ok?

Or should I totally forgo tubes at this price range? Some have suggested that tubes in the below 1000 mark generally aren't worth the bother.

Also I'll be running the setup for several hours a day - including background listening. Is this detrimental for a tube setup? Do I have to replace tubes frequently with such usage?
milesandcoltrane
saki70
907 posts
 
Sure the lower powered amps will 'work' with less efficient speakers . The question is how 'well' would you like them to work together ?
Unless you already have the speakers , it is possible to get more efficient speakers for the same price as the ones that you have eluded to above .
You are on the right track with a tube amp and seem to have done some research into the subject . Now do the same for the speakers .

Good luck
junglern's avatar
junglern
50 posts
 
I am in the same situation i have a pair of system audio 86db into 4 ohm trying to match with a tube amp, but careful
i have the feeling that will be a hard task.
tx
mikirob
955 posts
 
I am currently using a Jolida FX 10 in my office system (14X16) and it has been excellent with my Tekton 4.5 speakers (you should consider them for about $300.00, used,less). They blow away the Psbs and Wharfdale in the same price-range. I get a wall-to-wall sound-stage if it has it in the recording. This little combo is oh-so-right, you can't go wrong.
mikirob
955 posts
 
PS, like Sfar I also tube rolled a bit and can vouch that Russian mil spec tubes like his, or my 7189s seriously out-perform the stock tubes by a wide margin in every area. I also like the new Gold Lion EL 84s, also have Ei, they too, are better than the stock tubes. I'm running The Tubestore Northern Electric 12AX7s per their suggestion, they are very good. Good hunting...
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,176 posts
 
Milesandcoltrane,
In a small room, one thing to consider: Tube Amp = HEAT!
Are you in Singapore?
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