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Looking to get into tubes on the cheap

My current set-up is Tekton Design Electrons with an Hsu VT-15H subwoofer and a Denon AVR-2200w receiver.  I am interested in entering the tube world. I have always run SS/receiver to listen to music so I am a total rookie with tubes. Here is what I would like to have. I use my system for 2.0 and 2.1 music, HT 5.1 going to 5.1.4, and basic TV viewing. I would like to keep my receiver in the chain and add tubes and somehow have some kind of switching. Would like to be able to listen to 2.1 and then push something on my Harmony remote to switch between music and HT set-up without having to touch wires. Read many different thread as well as this one. I am not wanting to spend thousands to achieve this but I also want it to sound better than my current SS sound on a 2.1 set-up. Seen the various posts and opinions on tubed preamp vs amp and still after reading all that don't know which one is more beneficial. Looked at Aric's Ultimate but that is more than I am wanting to spend. Looked at Monoprices 50wpc hybrid tubed preamp and ss amp combo. Not sure I want my tubed stuff to come from the place I get me cables but it seems to get good reviews from people who have purchased and it is $170. Also looked at Gemtune X-1 integrated tube amp and Nobsound MS-10D hybrid tube amp.  Can I get some guidance on this? Ultimately I am just wanting to improve my 2.1 listening experience.  
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ethos123
83 posts
 
You're going to have to swap out your receiver for the system to work how you're intending, and since those with multi-channel pre-outs tend to be better than the models without, you might improve your 2-channel listening a decent amount with that move alone. Each company tends to have a "house sound" so since you aren't happy with the sound of your Denon, it's possible you'd prefer another brand. Try looking for a place to buy that will let you audition a few or at least has a decent return policy if possible.

I could be wrong, but I also think you're limited to 5.2.2 atmos setups with that particular receiver so if you're planning 5.1.4, thats another reason to upgrade the receiver first...unfortunately a receiver upgrade is going to cost you more than the tube amps you mentioned, but its really the only way to get everything you're wanting. Goodluck.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,210 posts
 
I won’t recommend using the AVR as a preamp for 2 channel music, IMO, using a tube integrated amplifier with a speaker switcher like the Niles SAS-1 is a better way to experiencing tube "magic"
wolf_garcia
6,721 posts
 
Years ago my quest for a tube power amp led to to talking to the Jolida guys in MD, including the owner Michael Allen, and I became convinced they knew how to put together a great amp. The amp I bought, a "factory modded" 502P power amp, was a trouble free joy to listen to, cost around 1000 bucks (5 years ago or so), and nothing around at that time came close to the bang for the buck this amp provided. I've since moved on to a single ended power amp, but Jolida still makes cool stuff (Chinese sourced, USA tweaked).

mceljo
1,357 posts
 
I have a Yaquin MS-30L and it’s simply fantastic.  Get one. 
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
An EE friend of mine build me a speaker switch so that my Focal speakers could be easily shared between my Integra receiver and the Yaquin tube amplifier. It allows me to just flip the speakers while keeping a load on the tube amplifier so that I don’t have to power cycle it nearly as much and allows me to use it more. 
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