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New Member And few questions on First Tube Amp.

Little about me.I am 67 and more into cars /cycles but enjoy music during winter months.
I have Tinnitus very bad and so I can not play music much over 70 db with high pitch horns ect.
But I have Marantz SR 8002 and had until last week Mirage M-5's. 28 yrs and did not realize how deteriorated
they become until someone sold a pair of Definitive Techogoly BP 8080ST and I could not beleive what I was missing
on sound.. All along thought it was my hearing..So now that I can hear music separation along with my ringing 
it is a joy to hear more than I thought I would ever hear again.
So with that I want to just see if a tube amp will allow me to hear music flow from the speakers as others describe.

So not knowing anything I have a dealer not to far selling Prima Luna tubes and my question is I see tube amp and pre tube amp.. To try a tube amp can you run from just one of these components ??
Does Prima Luna have a all in one unit if I need a amp and pre amp ???

I do not mind spending few thousand, but not sure how long my hearing will last  and so just want to 
purchase low end just to see if I can hear a difference of tube vs solid state...thank you Joe

128x128harleyujoe
harleyujoe's avatar
harleyujoe OP
38 posts
 
Well a update on Raven vs my Marantz SR8002 .
A Raven Nighthawk arrived until the Raven Blackhawk Mk iii are ready for shipping..
Well I was totally surprised at what I did not hear through Marantz.
The musical sounds and definitions of instruments is just enjoyable to hear .Something I would have never guessed a Tube amp could produce... So yes this is a Nighthawk so just hoping that what I hear with this tube amp I will hear with Blackhawk. If I hear the same or even just a hint better I will be very happy with Raven Product.. The Nighthawk is manual volume and can not wait for remote to arrive. Few songs with tinnitus was just a little to loud and wish I had remote ..But if you get a chance to hear Raven amp would like to know what you hear from it..thank You for all your responses and will let you know in a month or so about the Blackhawk experience..
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,834 posts
 
Well every one I want to thank all who have helped.. Not in tube amp purchasing but those of you who responded to tinnitus ..
If your moniker is an indication- I hope you wear earplugs when riding. I found that earplugs were not enough unless I was wearing a good helmet too.


harleyujoe's avatar
harleyujoe OP
38 posts
 
Yes when riding 3 wheel auto cycles I wear helmet with ear flaps and ear plugs for tinnitus 
wolf_garcia
6,704 posts
 
I highly recommend one of the newer Jolida/Black Ice integrateds...made in China, tweaked in MD, and you can call 'em with questions...less expensive than Primaluna's stuff, and it sounds great...owned an older model 502p for years and loved it.

Full face helmet always, earplugs only when riding long distances at high speeds (wind...louder than yer pipes by far), as my usual ride involves ripping around a specific winding route at  appropriate road speeds enjoying the hilarious sound of Norman Hyde Toga pipes on a spoke wheeled pseudo retro hipster Triumph Bonneville T100. 
sandthemall
544 posts
 
Just got a 2nd hit of tinnitus this Christmas while waiting for my Don Sachs KT-88 to arrive...I lost low tones 300hz and down this time. First hit of tinnitus took away an 8khz notch when I was 25.  When the amp arrived, I was certainly able to hear and appreciate the differences between my old SS gear and fine tube gear. Life is short..so go for it. Nothing is better for tinnitus than listening to music. I wish I had gotten into tubes earlier. 
I can also recommend the PrimaLuna stuff. The integrated amps are great all in one kits.
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