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Tube amp Questions

Hi everyone

The questions are… What tube amp setup would you reccommend to incorporate into this configuration?

What do you look for in a good Tube Amp?

I like the HK 990. However I would like to move to the Tube end of things and experience that sound.

I know I will need to audition a few to see what sound I prefer. I just figured with all the knowlegde and experience on this forum a couple of you could suggest some give a listen to.

Looking at around a $3000 limit.

My current system is…

Harman Kardon HK990 intergrated

Revel F52 speakers

SVS PB12 NSD Sub

VPI Aries Scout with an Ortofon 2m Bronze mm cart

Herron VTPH 1mm phono preamp

Oppo 105D 

Belden BJC LC-1 interconnects

12 gauge, 87 strand, oxygen free copper speaker cables

The SVS Sub and VPI are nicely isolated. 

I'm going to upgrade the sub to a SVS SB13 Ultra. 

Thanks for taking some time out of your day to respond.

Peace,

Mark




meambler
scm
314 posts
 
Hi Mark...I have F52`s and I had a Rogue ST 90 with KT 120`s and it sounded very nice !
 I decided to sell the Rogue and look for a tube amp with more power.
Meanwhile, as a stop gap I bought a Class D Audio SDS 470C which has 300 watts @ 8 ohm, 600 watts @ 4 ohm.
Now I`m having a hard time justifying a move away from the 470C.
The width is way wide, has nice depth and plenty of power (never pushed it hard though)
I just added some tubes into the mix with a Herron phono stage and that may be the answer/solution to some of the differences I heard between the two amps.

I don`t agree that the F52`s should not be used with tube amps.
I may even go back to a Rogue via an Atlas Magnum or ST100. I`m sure the M180`s would be REALLY nice !!!
 A Quicksilver V4 is an interesting option too.
Anyway the SDS 470 is only $700 or so and IMO priced way too low for how good it sounds.

leotis
183 posts
 
I have Revel F52s and have tried them with PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated at about 75 watt/channel. Sounds good but I agree with the assessment that the 52s do better with real power. Now have the PrimaLuna connected to Revel F206s and felt they were a little flat until I swapped in the KT150 tubes which give it about 100 watts/. If I were trying to get the most from an F52/tube combo, I would use a tube preamp and a SS amp. In fact I am waiting for my tube ModWright Oppo 105 to front a Krell Foundation/Krell TAS to my F52s. A lot of people think a hybrid setup gives the best of both worlds.
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
As I often note, Jolida makes some of the "best bang for the buck" tube stuff around. These guys should reward me for all the free promotion I give them but do they? NO…anyway, their new stuff is likely even better than my older 502p and at least worth a look. Powerful and reliable tube rollers fun spot. Note I found a great SS preamp to use with the 502, and that's how I roll…I'm of the "clean signal into grease pit" school of thought for my stereo rig. 
mesch
3,509 posts
 
If wanting an integrated look into the Vincent audio 237.  Retails at ~$2500. 150wpc 8 ohms, 300 4 ohms. Might check out audio advisor for this unit.
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
Somewhere else there's recent talk of Vincent stuff (my preamp is a re-badged Vincent by Kavent), and a good friend of mine has a 236. Note that the 236 (and I assume the 237) is HUGE…seriously a great value if only a "size for the bucks" thing, although it does sound great.
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