Getting into Tube Equipment
Unless you get an integrated amp, you will need a preamp. This is separate from your phono preamp. Maybe a solid state integrated with tube phono stage would be the way to go. I had both an Dynaco ST-70 (which is only 35 watts per channel and Mark III mono amps way back when. These designs are very dated and syrupy sounding today. They don't sound anywhere near as transparent or detailed as most modern tube amps. BTW Jerry Garcia always insisted on Mcintosh gear back in the day. |
Therefore, a $12,000 stereo setup does not seem like a reasonable option for me. $12K may not be reasonable, so what is your budget? Maybe look into getting a Jolida Fusion 3502 Integrated: https://www.musicdirect.com/integrated-amp/jolida-fusion-3502-tube-integrated-amp Jolida's are reasonably affordable. Should drive the Wharfdale's. Maybe a Bellari VP130 or a Graham Slee phono stage. Something to consider. Have fun! |
Two great vintage tube preamps from the late 70's - early 80's are the Precision Fidelity C2 and C7. Both were designed by Bruce Moore (of later MFA fame!) and built in San Francisco. They used rather innovative cascode circuitry and were the best sounding tube preamps of their era! I owned the C7 (phono stage only version with a pair of 5kohm pots - no balance control - and signal switching for 4 sources). It was my favorite phono preamp! If the price is right (under $1k for the C2 and under $500 for the C7) grab one and you will have a great sounding USA-made tube preamp competitive with today's big-buck gear! |
Thank you all for your considerate responses. This gives me an opportunity to be pragmatic about the hi-fi that is right for me. As far as a budget goes. After a lot of thinking, $12,000 was just too much for me to spend on enjoying music. That said if I am thinking about buying into hi-fi over the next decade, a median of $6,000 and maximum of $10,000 is the most I would feel comfortable spending on a sort of lifetime audio system. The caveat being the equipment is bought over a decade. |
If I were you I would take my time and listen. Go to dealers and listen to different brands and pieces. Listen to everything you can. Even if it is more than you would spend.. Most brands have a house sound. You will get a better feel for what you like and don't like. Then you can make a long term plan and work toward it. There is nothing wrong with buying used. Older amps and preamps from Conrad Johnson, Rogue and others are still very nice amps. Some are gems. They were built with high quality parts, especially the transformers. Much higher quality than inexpensive amps. You will get better performance and they will last a lot longer. I bought a used Audio Research Classic 60 in the early 1990's and owned it for over 20 years. I finally sold it to a buddy who still uses it. It is still an excellent sounding amp. |
