2. amps-preamps
  3. 1110905526

Somebody Help Convert me to tubes

I first want to thank everyone that has been so helpful over the years. This forum and equipment site has been great.

Here is my dilemma. The first bunch years in this hobby my taste (and perhaps ignorance) has led me to pursue every last ounce of detail from a system, but after spending some time with some tube product, I am starting to prefer the more "listenable" type of equipment.

What I am looking for is for someone to help me with a step in this new direction. I am thinking of starting with a new preamp. Please don't recommend dumping everything I have and start over, I can't afford that, and besides I very much enjoy my system and I am looking for small changes at a time and to learn and appreciate the differences. I am also looking for a piece that if over time I like the way my system was, I can easily pass it on to another A'goner. My equipment is as follows:

Thiel 2.4 speakers
ML 27.5 amp
ML 36S DAC
ML 38S Pre
Theta Data Basic II Transport
Kimber Select (1111 and 1120)
Transparent Plus Speaker cables
Synergistic AC Master Coupler on Trans and Amp
Transparent Power cords on DAC and Pre

Thank you for your assistance once again.
dewinkle
dewinkle OP
51 posts
 
Great advice as always guys. I did already inquire about the 38S upgrade, and like someone had said, they don't do it anymore. I had a 380S in my system for about a month, and it was better in every way shape and form than the 38S. No argument there. I was sort of planning on keeping the 38S because of all the nice features it provides, adjustable input levels, etc.

Contrary to popular belief the 2.4's are much easier to drive than the 2.3 or 3.6. I had all of them at one time for a head to head demo. After several hours with the 3.6 and 2.3 my amp was pretty warm. After running the 2.4's for a while at the same volume levels, the amp cooled off, which to me seemed that the load was easier to drive. Combined with a room that is only 20X12X8, what this means is that perhaps a tube amp at some point may be in my future, but a preamp is a way to put my toe in the water.

I am hearing Conrad Johnson, Cary, VAC, ARC, Mac, Audible Illusions, Canary, Rogue, BAT, Sonic Frontiers.

Looks like I am going to have to do some serious homework.
artg
362 posts
 
dont forget Aesthetix and First Sound.....
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Well, if you like the user interface of the ML, then BAT would be the place to start. They have the best user interface in the business, IMHO. I think BAT is the only one better than the ML as far as user interfaces go.
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
All do respect Dewinkle My advice would be to get some decent sounding solid state equipment before you do an amplification 180.

Like you said you're progressing past being new to the hobby and clearly you have bought by the label, so now you want to buy another even broader label?...tubes....I can tell you for every musical tube amplifier their is a solid state counterpart.

You want to pass out, go loan a YBA Passion Integre and a Meridian G08 and try not to just leave your Levinson gear on the sidewalk...someone will buy it, that's the great thing about famous labels. People want them.

Stick to something you have some experience with and build on it.
bryhifi's avatar
bryhifi
374 posts
 
I agree with Jmcgrogan2.......BAT

For the money spent a used VK-5i is an excellent point of entry. The VK-3i is no slouch either but the 5i may compiment your associated gear better.
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