2. amps-preamps
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Desire to try tubes

So I am new to this have no audio contacts, and low budget it seems based on reading forum. I inherited my brothers Heresy I’s (and LP /CD collection) two years ago and started my journey. First bought a Rega P3 and Rega Fono stage running with existing 20 yo Denon 5.1. Then upgraded the Hereseys from Crites with crossovers and new tweeters (46 yo units). Months later after research and savings bought Stellar GCD and Stellar S 300 amp along with Syzygy SLF 870 sub from Underwoodwally. Nice! Next Marantz 6006 CD as transport and Underwood Emerald Physics and Core Power gold power cords and speaker cables. As able Audio Quest entry connects for all. Each move improved sound. Added a Bluesound node 2i as well only listening to Pandora though. I have no reference to options as I’ve only owned Hereseys and never heard a tube amp in a home and am very curious if a tube pre-amp would be a big plus? If I tried one could muster up to 5k. Just looking for the best sound quality I can afford.
Room is 14.6 x 14.10 x sloped ceiling 8-13’ with 5’ flat section at 13.
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veerossi
169 posts
 
Please consider the Line Magnetic LM805ia. New around $5k and you can find a used one for less. It’s a 300b 42wpc SET integrated which will rock your world, Brother!
- Hulk Hogan
After rolling all the tubes, amp upgraditis will be a thing of the past.
cat_doorman
237 posts
 
It may be to your advantage to buy an inexpensive or used pre amp to start with and experiment with tube rolling. From what I’ve read some modern amps aren’t as differentiated by what might be considered the typical “tube” sound - tube amps sounding more SS and SS amps described as “tubey”. Apparently there’s more overlap than there used to be, but I’ll need to listen to a lot more amps of both kinds before I could possibly form a first hand opinion.

This year I got my first tube amp and tube pre to replace a 20yo SS integrated. When playing around with setups I noticed a more profound difference when changing between the tubed pre and the integrated’s pre out with either power section than when changing between power sections with either pre. The kicker is I’m using a $400 Schiit Saga+ with a $50 NOS tube. Of course I don’t think one would work for your setup because it has no gain and you probably need some with the phono stage. I’m just trying to give an example of a tubed pre making a bigger impact than might be expected. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Veerossi,
I also think that the Line Magnetic 805ia  is an excellent recommendation. One minor correction, this integrated amplifier uses 300bs as driver tubes. The output tubes are the DHT 805 producing 48 watts per channel. That’s a lot of SET  class A power for the very efficient Herseys.
Charles
bob540
407 posts
 
I'm not unhappy with my SS gear, but I admit that I'm curious about the vaunted "tube sound".  From everything I've read, that Cronus Magnum iii looks to be a quality integrated.  Wish I knew someone locally who has one.  Don't know if the local Hanson store has it. Might ask.
au_lait
347 posts
 
Heresy are efficient so Shindo would be worth checking out, a few of my friends have Klipsch Scalas and Horns paired with Shindo and it’s gorgeous. Hard to find but the Appetite is a 15w integrated.
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