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
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
^^Good- that's how its supposed to work :)

The Audio Technica cartridge could be part of my problem as I was not knowledgeable about tone arm and cartridge compatibility. I would have to admit the AT cartridge is a bad match for the light weight Technics tone arm. Anyone interested in a AT150MLX cartridge?

The stylus often suffers in older cartridges- the suspension in the cantilever can perish whether the cartridge is used or not. At that point it will sound tipped up in the treble and harsher/more sibilant than it should. If the cartridge is also a poor match for the arm that certainly isn't helping things! I use an older SL1200 in the recording studio to play back cuts we have made on the LP mastering setup. I use a Grado Gold in that arm and it seems to work quite well with it- tracks well, smooth and detailed.



luisma31
516 posts
 
@dsper I'm glad you are enjoying your rig, did the sibilance go away? Probably not with some tracks.
We have a cold front coming now here in Florida, time to turn on my amps.

dsper OP
663 posts
 
luisma31, 

Maybe I need to get a couple of tube amps as it is turning to winter in the Indianapolis area!

Changing the interconnects certainly helped with the sibilance. I also took out my AT cartridge and inserted an Ortofon Pro S40, which is supposed to be a "DJ" cartridge but with a better stylus...seems to have made an improvement.

I am learning that changing out speakers is a big deal and has me rethinking everything!



dsper OP
663 posts
 
gkr7007 wrote "... couple of recommendations. The Carver Crimson 275..."
How does the Carver sound compared to others you may have heard?
dsper OP
663 posts
 
Happy New Year everybody,

For those that are interested, I reinserted my Thiels and DNA-500 and got instantly reconnected with what I liked about that combo - there just is a good weight and tone to that combination.

In comparison, the small Tyler Acoustics MM5x's and CJ tube amp are ..well...a bit more thin, less solid sounding. The dynamics and sound stage are better with the Tylers and the CJ tube amp. Detail is more in your face with the Thiels compared to the Tylers, which are just as resolving but more... soft...?...laid back. Both setups have pace but the Tylers with the tube amp seem more musical. 

I knew the Tylers (SEAS Excel drivers for tweeters and mids with Dayton 10 inch woofers) were probably not going to be "right" for me as they are more of an entry level speaker. My original goal was just to get a handle on tube amp sound and the Tyler sound; both of which I like.

Tyler is willing to build me a pair Linbrook Signatures if I want them. These come with all SEAS magnesium drivers and Millennium tweeters. I expect that these would provide the weight and tone. They are 48 inches tall, which I think is a good fit in my listening room. 

The caveat is that the Linbrooks come with dual woofers so they are a four ohm, 88 dbl speaker. So...now my new question is can one find good tube amps that will drive a 4 ohm speaker that might dip to 3 ohms?

Thanks for listening,

Dsper


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