2. amps-preamps
  3. 1426336648

Integrated Amp help

Hello, I just purchased my first tube amp, so im not very experienced with tubes yet. The model is a Jasmine Seranade integrated, 11watt x 2, Class A, SE, input impedance 100k ohm. The tubes are 2 EL34 mullards, and the 12ax7. I am using it with custom designed studio monitor 2 way speakers(Focal drivers) with an efficiency of 89-90. I use it with cd's only, with a pioneer elite Dv-59avi cd player.

The sound is definitely more lively and 3 dimensional than my past solid state amp. However, it is very bright and very straining to listen to at decent volume levels. Also, the amp is much louder than expected and can only turn the volume 1/3rd of the way up before too much. Granted its a smaller tube amp so not much bass.
Anyway, what are your suggestions for a warmer sound. Different tubes or different cd player? Is it best to try different power tubes before the preamp tubes? Also, is it possible to have too much gain? Thanks for the help!
ct1974
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Is this what you have?

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/620588688/Jasmine_Serenade_EL34_intergrated_tube_amplifier_Multi.jpg_350x350.jpg

That's a headphone amp. On a regular pair of speakers, that amp would be straining to drive your speakers, and as a result, could sound like what you're describing. Also, since your speakers are custom, they're completely unknown.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
The amp MAY sound very loud, bright and straining because it is clipping or it may be a result of one of the constraints of a single-ended circuit. Single ended amps distortion levels increase substantially as they move closer to their maximum power output, even before clipping.

Some other information will also be useful:
Is the efficiency rating you quoted (89-90) for an 8 or 4
ohm load?
Does the actual impedance vary significantly w frequency?
How big is your room and how far are you from the
speakers?
How loud is "a decent volume level"? Remember a 3dB
volume increase requires a doubling of power.

And yes, it is possible to have too much gain.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Zd, that looks like what he has, and according to the company website this unit can drive "traditional speakers", however his speakers may not be tube friendly due to their impedance/phase angle relationship.

Is the impedance switch on the back of the amp set to 4 or 8 ohms? Sometimes 8 ohm speakers with an impedance that drops severely at certain frequencies will sound better on the 4 ohm tap of a tube amp. Have you tried both switch positions? And switch only with unit powered off.

Also, here is something you may try with the Pioneer.

Connect to video, then in the menu for 5.1 adjustments, set front L&R to "large", then center, surround, and sub to "none". Now use front L&R out instead of the 2ch L&R out.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I think it's the speakers that need upgrading
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
However, it is very bright and very straining to listen to at decent volume levels.
Also agree with Swampwalker, depending on distance and volume level, amp may be clipping, therefore, not enough power.
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