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Getting into Tube Equipment

Hey there,

I have been gradually getting into vinyl and hi-fi for a while now. I mostly listen to folk, country, and some bluesy-rock music. Examples include the Grateful Dead, Sturgill Simpson, John Denver, and the Tedeschi Trucks Band.

I have been forward thinking about audio equipment I would like to have in the future. The components I am most eager to upgrade are my amp and phono preamp. For the amp, I am very interested in one of the Dynaco clones people are selling like the ST-70, ST-120 or the M-125 by Bob Latino. However, my first order of business will have to be getting a phono preamp with a volume control because these amps do not have a volume control. I would like to preface, I am not independently wealthy and do not expect to be in my life. Therefore, a $12,000 stereo setup does not seem like a reasonable option for me.

Can anyone please give me direction on either getting a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS or a used EAR 834P?

Additionally, If I could get some direction on an amp, it would be useful. Right now I own the Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers and I really love them. The only thing I can see upgrading to is a pair of used Harbeth Super hl5plus speakers but this would be in the more distant future. Based on what I currently have and will be using for awhile, as well as my future considerations, are any of the amps I am considering a best fit? 

-Thomas
captainblackleg
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,171 posts
 
One other tip- in this case, you already know you want tubes, so as a result if the question of which you get first, the amp or the speakers, now you have a better idea. You get a speaker that works easily with tubes and by all means you avoid a speaker that is considered 'hard to drive'.
Actually I don't see any point in 'hard to drive' speakers since all amps, solid state, class D and tubes make more distortion when asked to work hard. High end audio is about getting *rid* of distortion - getting closer to the music.
Tube amplifier power has always been more expensive than solid state, in fact when the industry went from tubes to transistors decades ago it was mostly driven by the higher profit margin that was possible with transistors. The point here is that keeping the speaker easy to drive will really help you with that amplifier dollar.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@atmasphere   As is usual I agree with your posts, and in this thread in near entirety, with the following ("staying away") exception...

Some speaker recommendations: ... some of the Tekton lineup (stay away from the 4 ohm models)

In my personal experience, the 4 Ohm versions of the Tekton Double Impacts and Special Editions are easy to drive and many owners are doing so with low power amps.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,171 posts
 
They probably do alright, but the 4 ohm versions can be problematic if you use an amplifier that does not employ loop negative feedback. This is pretty much all SETs as well as a number of push-pull amps. Essentially you may encounter problems getting the bass energy right. Its not worth messing with, since the amp’s ability to play 8 ohms is better and will result with more neutral presentation, one that is more transparent and likely also smoother.
If you’re on a budget, but are also committed to a tube amp, why not get the most out of it? I compare it to buying a Porsche but not setting it up with the right tires. It might be fun to drive, but it would probably be a lot more fun if you had the right tires on it.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Ralph, these are qualifications to the original general 'phrasing.'

My issue is and was with the generality vis a vis Tekton 4 Ohm speakers, in that phrasing.

I restate that many (not all) low powered amps will work with the 4 Ohm Tektons I own(ed) and they likely will on Eric's other variants similar to the DIs and SEs. 
mac48025's avatar
mac48025
672 posts
 
While Ralph has forgotten more about audio than I'll ever know I concur with David's assessment as I'm driving my 4 ohm Tekton DI SE's with an Aric Audio 300B SET and the synergy is amazing. I drove them with the 1 watt LTA MZ2 before getting the 300b with great success also. While 4 ohm speakers generally might not work with small tube amps, the Tektons don't seem to have issue with them. That would make the DI's a great budget choice for the OP in my opinion. 
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