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Beginner looking for guidance into tube sound.

Hello all, I am looking for some input on the best way to add tubes to my current mess. I currently have what I am sure everyone here would consider barely a step up from my parents zenith HI-FI circa 1977. please keep in mind I am lucky if I can afford to look in the window of an actual audio store. 
I currently have a Peachtree nova 300 and a Marantz CD player and a pair of monitor audio silver 500 speakers. A friend gave me a blue sound node 2i also. I have always wanted a tube powered amp. I see these Chinese amps like the Muzishare X7 and Willsenton R8 that have lots of great reviews. Or maybe a tube DAC. Then I see the Black Ice for ss-x. Each having less tubes respectively. Not sure how much that matters but I would think the more tubes the more tube sound one could expect. I would like to be in the $1000. range but would go to $1500 if I had to. My goal is to find the best most cost effective way to enter the tube world.  
johnfritter
johnfritter OP
62 posts
 
@noromance  Thank you for the link, not sure how I looked over them. I have sent message waiting for reply.
winoguy17
1,119 posts
 
 Find a used Rogue Sphinx,should be right around 1k.  Tube pre,SS power amp, nice intro to tubes and sensible.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
@johnfritter  If you get a tube amp use the 4 ohm taps for you connection to the speakers. Your speakers are not particularly tube-friendly due to the low impedances in the bass region (3.1 ohms). If you like what you hear, consider a speaker that is higher impedance and otherwise easier to drive- that is where tubes can really show off what they do.
shtinkydog
681 posts
 
Look up the AMC 3030 integrated amp.  Should be within your budget.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
You want to see if you like valves? Get a tube buffer and get a good one.. pretty simple.

Decware makes a great one and there are a FEW others that work really well.

An option for A/B and easy to turn it on or off.. Just depends on your mood and the playback source ay?

Second option is go forward with a tube preamp to SS power amps FIRST..

You don't get the full effects of tube harmonics but it is a GOOD taste of it.. Then tubes for the monitor section of you system and SS for the bass.. It's always better. 50 years of messing around.. Tubes for mids and highs and SS for the bass.. ALL of it.. 300hz and above Valves.. below SS.

Regards
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