2. amps-preamps
  3. 159891-2029

Never Owned a Tube Amp and Want Advice

Hi All, 

I have never owned a tube amplifier before and am planning to purchase one with a minimum of 50 watts per channel to mate with 8 ohm 88 dbl speakers.

My hope is experienced audiogoners will share their expertise regarding how to approach this. While I realize listening is the best way to learn about sound and compatibility; I want to learn a better understanding about brands with less maintenance and longer tube life, how to decide between mono or stereo,can a newbie play with bias or is auto biasing a better first choice, etc.

I would also appreciate what to look for in selecting a used tube amp to identify one that might be in need of repair. For example, with solid state depending on the brand, capacitor replacement can be more of a concern. Any advice on what to look out for or ask about with used tube amps would be appreciated.

A big question I have is how to understand the relationship between power tubes like E34's, 120.s, etc. and, I guess the driver? tubes like 12au7's and 12at7's. That  is to ask which is more critical to the overall sound of the amp? FWIW, I routinely tube roll with my preamps.  

I 've read through a number of threads but maybe someone can point me to good ones I may have missed. 

Thanks for listening,

Dsper
dsper
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
I’d skip the tube amp altogether and go for a class A SS integrated paired with a Tubed phono preamp. That is if your into analog/vinyl, if not then never mind....
avanti1960
1,472 posts
 
I have owned Rogue Audio tube amp products for almost 5 years and find they deliver a sound that I prefer.
I started with a Cronus Magnum II - KT120 power tubes delivering 100 WPC. It gave me a sound that I really enjoyed over just about every other amplifier I have heard. Powerful enough to be dynamic and more than room filling with 84db and up speakers. Power Tubes last ~ 2-1/2 years or so. Bias adjustment is easy- remove a plate with two captured thumb screws and flip the 4 switches to display the current reading on the built in meter. adjust the screw with the supplied screwdriver until the meter reads the correct value.
Takes 5 minutes every 6 months or so. Usually they do not need any adjustment, just check the value on the meter.
The sound is highly refined and detailed, more neutral than syrupy, smooth with a very large 3D sound stage and excellent bass, midrange and treble.
The possible downsides are that it is somewhat large and heavy (still fits on the top of a rack or shelf), does give off some heat and can have some local hum near the amp that becomes silent a few feet away (never through the speakers). Downsides are never an issue for me and the sound quality IMHO beats every solid state amp below and significantly above its price.
The new Cronus Magnum III is supposed to be even better.  
dsper OP
663 posts
 
Hi All,

I appreciate the discussion and advice.

Figuring I had to start somewhere, I decided I had to start somewhere so I found a used CJ LP66S, and will go from there.

Thought it would be a fairly low cost way to see if I can hear a tube difference and sell it down the line if I decide to change it out.

Thanks for listening,

Dsper 
decooney
1,969 posts
 
@dsper 
A nice place to start.  What brand/number tubes came with it?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,785 posts
 
Thought it would be a fairly low cost way to see if I can hear a tube difference
The difference between tube and transistor is usually pretty easy to hear. I've had people walk in from off the street and they were able to tell the difference. I wouldn't worry about that!
More to discover