2. amps-preamps
  3. 159531-110095

Tubes?

I have Revel Salon 2 speakers. Sensitivity is about 85 db. and 4 ohms. They are power hungry speakers. Currently, I am driving them with McIntosh 601's and a McIntosh solid state preamp. I was look looking at a pair of McIntosh MC2301. They are tube amps rated at 300 watts into 2 - 8 ohm loads. I listen to all types of music (sometimes at very high levels). I never run out of power with the 601's, but I am very intrigued with tubes. This may be a misconception, but I remember some friends who played guitar saying, tube watts were louder than solid state? Perhaps this is not really true or not true regarding home stereo. Perhaps the best idea is to keep the 601's and get a good tube preamp?                          Thanks, Dave 
tobor007
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Exactly Dave. Keep the amps and get a tube preamp or phono stage.
Tube amps just do not have the same speaker control as a good SS amp.
They do not delineate kick drum or tympani as well. You can get the same warmth out of a tube preamp without sacrificing bass control. I do it with a tube phono stage.  
richopp
760 posts
 
Today, basically SAYING (or posting) that something is TRUE simply makes it true.  We don't need no SCIENCE or measurements or "experts" with 50 years' experience.  Popping off at the top of your lungs and continuing to scream whatever it is makes something "TRUE" today.

Conspiracy theories, politics, diseases, tubes vs SS, speaker materials, wires--it DOES NOT MATTER.

If someone THINKS something someone else has said is true, IT IS.  Back when I was coming up (there you go), people had a saying:  CONSIDER THE SOURCE.

That is, who benefits from believing whatever is being shouted?

So, go to your REPUTABLE dealer and take home and try as many items as you need to find the sound YOU are happy with. And, remember, and this IS true: Your room is the most important variable in any sound system. If you don’t believe that one, move your stuff to another room and see for yourself.

Cheers!
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

I am partial to tube amplifiers and particularly SET amplifiers (With suitable speakers).
However I have to agree with clearthinker and say that a SET even utilizing a high power output tube such as the 833 wouldn't be the best direction to take with this type of speaker.


Very high power push pull tube amps may be a viable alternate but keep in mind these amps have 'multiple' numbers of tubes to deal with. All things considered I believe using  a tube preamp is a very reasonable approach with the current speakers and SS amplifier (Both of which the OP likes).  A tube preamp using the 6SN7 is a good recommendation in my opinion.

Charles

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

daj9 posts08-24-2020 9:18pm@jjss49 

The heavy handed advice does hit on the conflict in terms of the concern expressed in the post and the speaker OP owns, though it's easy to see how this might be overlooked due to the rather obnoxious style in which said advice is habitually delivered.

My oh my... aren't we in a bit of a tiff. You ain't seen nothin' yet.. Hang around.. If this is bothering you, you're not gonna make it. Mr. Obnoxious really hasn't visited this form yet.. HE's been on vacation, for a while.. 
Now you've stirred the pot and I bet he shows up. IT'S on you...

That's a freebie, the rest I'll let you learn on your own..
Wait to when the REAL pricks show up, and I'm being nice, and serious too. They pile on, all at once, like DOGS.. Give me and daj a break, OK.

It's being a little obnoxious callin' folks obnoxious, isn't it?

Sick um!!

Regards

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I'm in complete agreement with @charles1dad.  With the OP's speakers the tube pre and SS amp makes the most sense and is the path of least resistance to a nice sound.  

And all things equal I have no idea why folks who love tube amps wouldn't want to create a system based around SET tube amp of reasonable power (~22 watts and higher ) paired with easy to drive speakers.  I fear that all the fist pounding exerted by @millercarbon to bully people into buying some KT88 Raven amp are going to distract some from missing the magic of a large bottle SET circuit with carefully selected speakers.  The experience just can't be replicated from some push-pull design IMO and is worthy of experiencing.  
More to discover