My first Tube Amplifier


I have a 40 years of audio history starting with Garrard Turntable, Fisher Intergrated(SS), ADS bookself speaker on 1978.

But I started using tube amplifier on 1999.

Since then I had been using only tube amplifier in my main system.

My last SS main amplifier was Krell KSA 150 to drive Apogee Duetta Signature speakers.


http://www.jadis-electronics.com/photos/ja500/45/3/ja500.jpg

My first tube amplifier was Jadis 500 which comprised of 4 pieces weighing 120 lb each.

B&W 801 driven by Jadis 500 gave most deep and powerful bass at my home.

But it generated too much heat so it was hard to use during summer.

It was memorable experience to use it for 4 years.

I may not go back to such monster tube amplifier again.



How about you?

What is your first tube amplifier?



I bet two cents on no one had used larger one as the first tube amplifier than mine.


128x128shkong78
Hope you understand my english, I am French
I have just buying a FX audio, and got it since one month after purchasing it on e-bay
I connect it between my Audio research CD 5 and my audio research D 200, I listen most of my CD that I prefer and I think that it sound too thin
and it is ideal for guitars tunes as low as possible, for metal (ex)
but most of time , listening to jazz (Art Blackey) I though that it is too pitched for trumpets

@yannduquenne

Thanks for sharing your experience


You may need tube rolling for your tube amplifier.

If you change the input tube with Nos RCA or Amperax, then it will sound well for trumpet.
Thank you for answering me.
I must had precision, I have no tube amplifier , just tube pre-amp, and this is not an expensive product, this is FX audio build in China.
So can you explain to me tube rolling ? I don't understand rolling ( I am French)
If you open the top of the amplifier or look into manual, you can find out what kind of tube is being used.

I recommend you to buy Nos(new old stock) tubes around 50$ and change the tubes.

If you are not familiar with changing the tube, you had better get the advice from some French audiophile around you.
My first tube amp was a  Soundquest KT 88 integrated amp; it gave me an inexpensive way to get an initial listening experience with tubes and tube rolling. Currently have 3 tube integrated amps - Line Magnetic 518IA (845 tube based) ; Finale Audio 7189 (II) ( 7189/EL84M ) ; Ayon Spirit 2 (KT88); also have 2 tube pre amps - Modwright LS100; and a Herron Audio VTSP 1; and a tube based DAC - Modwright Elysee