2. amps-preamps
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Valve/Tube Newbie

Hello All,
Greetings from a relative newbie.
Am looking for suggestions for valve[tube] pre/power amp separates to upgrade my [mainly] vinyl system [Thorens/SME Deck, Spendor S8 Speakers].

Pre-amp clearly will need a phono stage, and a couple of line stages also needed for other sources.
Not fussed about remote control.
Ideally looking for designs of both pre/post with the valves exposed/visible.
Budget is around £5-6K- any suggestions gratefully received..
s_nick
facten
2,878 posts
 
Yogiboy , yes I am fully aware that a solid state AMP doesn't have tubes. I suggested that he consider pairing a tube pre with a solid state amp given the "lower" sensitivity of the Spendors. The solid state would provide more power. Read before being condescending
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,672 posts
 
Facten, excuse me but did you read his post? Why would he want solid state when he is looking for tube gear. I think you should go back and RE-READ his post ! BTW,I've owned those Spendors and they don't need more than 50 watts.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I think the OP wants to buy tubes mostly for show. If he wanted this stuff for listening, he probably would have given more information.
agriculturist
177 posts
 
There is another possibility. One might like an exposed tube amp, as I do, so that the logistics of swapping tubes are easy. And that is something that the VAC responds very well to.
s_nick OP
1 posts
 
Thanks all for thoughts so far.
Yes, am based in the UK.
The system is very much for use rather than 'show'.
Whilst there are aesthetic considerations in having the Magical Lightbulbs on show it does, as Agriculturist says, make swapping them out easier.

Would also be happy to consider a separate [tube] phono pre-amp if that increases my options.
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