2. amps-preamps
  3. 160876-151272

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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atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,948 posts
 
The use of any SET requires careful speaker selection. This is because even a higher powered SET will have a fairly high output impedance. For more information take a look here:
http://www.atma-sphere.com/en/resources-paradigms-in-amplifier-design.html


But its a really good idea to audition an SET prior to purchase- the more power they make, the less bandwidth they have (such that they may not even be considered hifi). 7-8 watts is typically the limit where they can actually make 20Hz-20KHz. This is why lower powered SETs are always considered the better sounding amps.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I will say that if the higher powered SET amplifiers are well designed and built they can sound fabulous.  As others who have posted on this thread can attest to,  211,845,805, etc.  can be used very successfully.  I've have heard wonderfully emotional engaging sound from good quality 845 SET amplifiers. Implementation is key.
Charles 
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,219 posts
 
OP Tsakadiris integrated are really good , I bought their monoblock , they are very musical.Toska audio here in Illinois have them.Their integrated range from 2k to 3k.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,219 posts
 
Op this Tsakadiris are tubes.
sandthemall
544 posts
 
So here’s something to consider:

It seems these days, the higher you go up the food chain, the closer SS and tubes seem to sound. SS amps tend to sound more airy and tubes sound more punchy.

I have a Primaluna Evo 400 and have owned a Don Saks KT88 Kootenay before that. Although they sound different, they sound amazingly close to some good SS systems I’ve owned after several hours of listening.

I feel like I went too far up the food chain too soon. I would have liked to try something from the past...like an old Conrad Johnson, Dynaco or Mac etc. But I started my tube journey as a 52 year old...

Try to get something used and vintage on the cheap and have it serviced. You don’t need to make a perfect decision on your first try...just get something decent in the 15wpc-35wpc range and you should be fine. Your speakers are pretty efficient so you can really go to town and see what’s out there.
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