2. amps-preamps
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Desire to try tubes

So I am new to this have no audio contacts, and low budget it seems based on reading forum. I inherited my brothers Heresy I’s (and LP /CD collection) two years ago and started my journey. First bought a Rega P3 and Rega Fono stage running with existing 20 yo Denon 5.1. Then upgraded the Hereseys from Crites with crossovers and new tweeters (46 yo units). Months later after research and savings bought Stellar GCD and Stellar S 300 amp along with Syzygy SLF 870 sub from Underwoodwally. Nice! Next Marantz 6006 CD as transport and Underwood Emerald Physics and Core Power gold power cords and speaker cables. As able Audio Quest entry connects for all. Each move improved sound. Added a Bluesound node 2i as well only listening to Pandora though. I have no reference to options as I’ve only owned Hereseys and never heard a tube amp in a home and am very curious if a tube pre-amp would be a big plus? If I tried one could muster up to 5k. Just looking for the best sound quality I can afford.
Room is 14.6 x 14.10 x sloped ceiling 8-13’ with 5’ flat section at 13.
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jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i have not had a raven

but i have many arc amps older and newer, and also a primaluna

i would say primaluna is very good, and an outstanding value for the money with many cool features

but in terms of sound quality... arc is more pure sounding to my ears, even after signficant tube rolling with the primaluna - i believe it is because the better ARC amps use some solid state driver/cathode followers to enhance the linearity of the tube output at frequency extremes... so you get tube goodness on imaging but also solid state extension and clarity

fleschler
2,021 posts
 
@jjss49  My Dynaco ST70 has been redesigned with an SS rectifier stage, huge storage cap located in the bottom of the case and voltage regulated operation, using the center taps on the transformer so that it is no longer an ultralinear design.  The bass is phenomenal compared to the stock unit which had flabby bass.  Used with Legacy Signature III speakers.  
jetter
3,035 posts
 
@fleschler  Do you mind sharing who worked on your ST70?  I have a couple of stock ones, not being used currently, but when I rotate them in every once in awhile I am always amazed how good they sound.
fleschler
2,021 posts
 
Grover Huffman of GroverHuffman.com  He is a cable manufacturer.  I also have another Dynaco waiting for him to remodel.  His Pharoah cables are SOTA quality at hugely lower prices.  I also changed the RCAs and speaker terminals which were inexpensive from Bob's Audio http://www.tubes4hifi.com/ST70.htm  

The ST70 modified has punchy, deep bass driving 6-10" woofers.  It can also drive my Focuses which have 6-12" woofers with a lower impedance of 2.8 ohms in the bass.

For my main system, Grover took a chassis and transformers from an Altec 1569A and built 125w. monoblock, voltage regulated amps.  After hours of use, you can put your hand around the transformers they run so cool.  Unlike the EAR 890 I previously used which is Class A 70 watts and you could cook eggs on after 20 minutes.
jonandfamily's avatar
jonandfamily
123 posts
 
Audio Research VSI 60 Integrated Amp. This is the amp that "hooked" me on tubes. Since then I've moved to ARC Reference separates.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649657751-audio-research-vsi-60-integrated-amp/
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