2. amps-preamps
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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 
128x128tobor007
pinthrift
210 posts
 
Hi Dave,

In recent years I've had the good fortune of sampling some great amps in large systems, smaller systems in homes plus brick and mortar.  Makes include three modern Nelson Pass amps (great,) 300B amps including a tricked out pair of Deja Vu monoblocks, amps designed by the late Roger Modjeski. (I own the RM-10 MKII) and just last week the terrific, obscure, Tom Evans amplifier.  Despite these wonderful experiences, my favorite amp remains the post anniversary McIntosh MC275.  The only reason I don't own it is because it is beyond my means.  To my ears it represents the best of the merging of great tube and solid state sound, as do some of the Pass amps.  Happy hunting!  More Peace, Pin
tobor007's avatar
tobor007 OP
135 posts
 
tuberollin
"Yeah, beside tinnitus you are doing irreparable damage to your ears if you listen for very long at 90 dB."

I think I'm past that. It may have been the 2nd Black Sabbath concert or the Who, could it have been Pink Floyd? Not sure. But I bet the tweeters in my Salons sound really good. I'm more of a mid range and low end guy myself.
invalid
1,211 posts
 
As was mentioned several times earlier get a tube preamp with octal tubes like the 6sn7, also a tube rectifier. I put a tube preamp in front of my krell amp and it sounds great, it sounded horrible with the solid state preamps I had. I know you can spend big money and get a really good sounding solid state preamp, but in my price range a tube preamp was better than the solid state preamps in the same price range.
russbutton's avatar
russbutton
437 posts
 
If what you want is a tube amp with some muscle, a solid low end, that are well within your price range, take a look at the Bob Latino M125 monoblock amps from VTA. Available in kit form at $2233/pair or fully assembled & tested at $2955/pair. Totally killer.
pinthrift
210 posts
 
Dave, 

A simple try might be to relieve your McIntosh 601s from doing deep bass duty to the Revels, letting your new subs do the heavy lifting from say 80hZ down from your preamplifier.  I use a Focusrite Clarett 4Pre USB Audio Interface DAC to divide the signal at 80hZ, allowing my 35W per side Music Reference to easily drive my hungry pair of Salk monitors to stadium rock and full orchestral levels.  Pin
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