2. amps-preamps
  3. 1100726914

Argh Too Many Choices

I have been considering switching to an all-tube preamp/amp combo for a little while and have read a lot of reviews of various tube equipment. There is just too much to choose from, as soon as I think I've settled on something I read about another product and start re-thinking my choices. I can't remember if it was Alvin Toffler or John Nesbitt who coined the term "hyper-choice" (or something like it), whereby consumers are faced with so many products to choose from that they end up feeling paralysed or frozen and unable to make a decision. In any event, I seem to be afflicted by this phenomenon.

Here is a sample of tube gear that I had decided upon only to find something else to consider:

- Wright Sound Mono8 amps and WLA12 pre;
- Canary Audio CA301 MkII amp and CA880 pre;
- Rogue Magnum 90 amp and 66 or 99 pre;
- Manley Mahi monos and Shrimp pre;
- Yamamoto A-08 45 SET amp (2 Wpc) and CA-04L pre;
- and many others, but these are the most recent ones.

Currently I have a Blue Circle BC21.1 tubed pre and BC22 ss amp, an Anthem CD-1 player, NAD tuner, Rune speakers are by Zu (sensitivity of 101dB, 12 Ohms impedance), and Zu interconnects, speaker cables and pc's. As you can see, the speakers are high sensitivity with a 10" full-range driver supplemented by a supertweeter without a crossover. This is the main reason I've considered low-powered SETs. Also, I feel the BC21.1 has too much gain for this set-up, I don't get very far with the volume control before hitting my comfort zone and it's not easy to achieve a level for late-night listening.

I'm looking for some tube magic to enhance the presence of the music, infuse a bit of warmth into a somewhat bright system, although it is not glaringly so, and fill out the bass a little more. Thoughts and advice would be most welcome.

Regards.

Max
mghcanuck
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
I second Jax2's comment about the Mono 10 push/pull triodes. They have a midrange that approaches that of SET amps, but have considerably more bass response than any of the Wright SET offerings. And the sense of timing of the Mono 10's is extraordinary.

With the stock tube setup, you will get the punchy sound of a push/pull setup. And when you get into the NOS replacements, the sound only gets more emotional and seductive. Wright also has a 15-day trial period.
All the best,
Howard
mghcanuck OP
116 posts
 
Update on my stupidity. So I opened up the BC21.1 yesterday evening and found the gain switch. Doh! It was already set to the low-gain level. I tried it in the high-gain position and could barely move the volume control beyond the second click before it got too loud for normal listening! Back to the low-gain setting.

Howard, thanks for the advice about the Mono 10's. They may be the way to go. I've also read very good things about the Yamamoto, but its rated at 2 Wpc.

Regards.

Max
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Max,

There's always a trade off. Or, perhaps there isn't, and I just haven't found the one amplifier that will convey the room in which Chet Baker is playing while also having the ability to drive Metallica in the way I like to hear it. Of course, if the demands of your music preferences are not so extreme, many amps will manage beautifully. I think that the Mono 10's are a perfect blend of midrange transparency and authoritative timing. I don't speak audiophile well, so what I mean to say is that they can cover a lot of ground.
All the best,

Howard
mghcanuck OP
116 posts
 
Hi Howard:

Understood. I'm not terribly fluent in audiophile either, but get the gist of what you're saying.

Thanks.

Max
jb0194
476 posts
 
Bill Baker of Response Audio is running a "clearance/demo" sale and lists a "Reference Modded" demo Ming Da MC-3 tube (including rectifier) preamp for $1050 w/warranty. I own one of his modded Ming Da preamps and just bought another from his sale items. I can attest that the modded version truly does transform a decent stock piece into one that I'll not be replacing in my main system. That "Reference MC-3" will likely have no peer at its price (hundreds less than I paid earlier when not on sale). Hopefully, you'll have remaining funds for a high quality low power SET or used AtmaSphere S30. Bill can add an attenuation circuit to the preamp (as he did to mine)which allows far better volume control and operates the preamp at its optimal gain.

Best wishes, whatever you decide.

jb
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