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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.  
jcarman721
bigkidz
3,451 posts
 
Dynaco mono amps already modified!

Happy Hunting.
wolf_garcia
6,805 posts
 
I obtained a Schiit Freya recently and it sounds real good in the tube mode, so there's that. It sounds real good in the other modes also, but those modes make me think the tubes are embarrassed to be there doing nothing.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
716 posts
 
I just picked up a GemTune GS-01 tube integrated that runs EL34’s in SE Ultralinear mode for 8 wpc. It came with an upgraded Alps Blue Velvet volume pot and TungSol 6SL7’s and an SED winged C 5U4 rectifier tube as well.  With my speakers, I think I like the original no name rectifier tube.  For the money, this sounds pretty darn good, but the upgrades have definitely taken this up a few notches I’m sure....
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big_greg
6,743 posts
 
I picked up a used Jolida Fusion preamp last summer for about $700 and put it in my bedroom system (Integra 80.3 AVP and Wyred4Sound ST-1000 MK2 amp) and it provided an improvement over the 2 channel audio of the Integra, not a dramatic one though.  The Fusion has a home theater bypass function so you should be able to switch it between your receiver for 2 channel and home theater. 

In my main system I have a Modwright LS100 for 2 channel and the sound quality is dramatically better than my Marantz AV7704 AVP.

Unless you score a nice used preamp at a below market price you're probably not going to realize much of an improvement if your budget is under $500.
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