Tube amp forethought


Hello, im researching my retirement two ch audio system and tube amps are in the forefront of my “wants” my plan will be a pair of QUAD ESL’s not sure which just yet

What do i need to know about maintaining a tube amp, like a AudioResearch 120 for starters or other tube amps. Biasing is totally new to me. Tube life and modes (triode, Pentode, UltraLinear) all foreign to me.

im a 40 year hobbiest so im pretty versed, this is just an unknown territory for me, thanx guys !

kgveteran
I've said it before but don't mind saying it again: Tubes are more fun. These days I use an original version Schiit Freya into a Dennis Had Inspire "Firebottle HO" (12wpc more or less depending on tubes) with 99db efficient speakers. The detail this rig digs out of recordings, the physical beauty of the tubes themselves (no user biasing with these components, but my previous amp, a great sounding Jolida 502p, had user biasing and I liked doing that), tube rolling (unlike transistor rolling which isn't a thing for most people) to change things a little sometimes...all fun...with a couple hundred watts of (2) REL subs to assist. There are no tube subs (or ARE there?), but RELs do use the tube amp signal so there's that. Having said all this I am planning to get either a Pass XA25 or a much less pricey Schiit Aegir to see if I'm imagining all of this so called "fun." The Aegir got a great review in Stereophile recently so that got my attention.
@wolf_garcia 

Having said all this I am planning to get either a Pass XA25 or a much less pricey Schiit Aegir to see if I'm imagining all of this so called "fun."

I think the XA25 may surprise you. I'm a tube guy myself but wow, the Pass Class A stuff is amazing and digs pretty deep into the sound.  To me it's like tubes on steroids but not overcooked or unbalanced.  Just more of a good thing.


I hope the OP will consider Ralph's (Atma Sphere) amps. They are really wonderful pieces of equipment that in general need only to be biased (very easy) and then just work as they should. (Though if anything does happen, you are only a phone call away from assistance- though in my many cases, it was something I did- But, Ralph seems to always nail down the problem quickly.

Re: Pass amps
To add fat to the fire...
I also use an Ayre MX-R, and have to say they really are a nice compliment to my MA-1's. Smooth, detailed- mmm-Good.

Bob
I recently watched the Guttenberg "audiophilliac" interviews with Nelson Pass and really enjoyed 'em. Pass, Atma Sphere Ralph, the Schiit guys, Dennis Had...all refreshing and hip as...well...you know...
Overwhelming to say the least !
:0)
i have been into Home audio since my good friend was spinning Kiss destroyer through a HK receiver and small Advents, my guess 1976ish/1977. I was smitten !!! Blown away by the orange glow of the receivers light and the music coming out of those little Advents was glorious to say the least. I had a panasonic portable 8-track player, and a home “all in one” unit.
this changed everything, i HAD to have this sound in my life.

40yrs later, just putting the finishing touchs on my 3yr build of my HT, and im just thrilled at the thought of new gear getting me even closer to my music, excited is to say the least, im taking notes !!!!

thank you all for the great 1st hand knowledge on tubes and esl’s.

Now, please continue. I have no idea of which Quad, but it will be, im not afraid of rebuilding, im a tweakahaulic
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