2. amps-preamps
  3. 182459-180048

Building a new system after many years away, need some suggestions ... !

Thanks for the help all.... All opinions welcomed !!!

I have been away from high end audio for 10+ years but my wife expressed intreest in collecting vinal. I bought my wife a turntable ATLP-7 and of course you know what happened... and here I am. The reason I was away for some time is I am a pretty accomplished musician and I have a recording studio with state of the art digital recording, Apogee Digital, Neve , Avalon, and API etc... class A preamps and speakers (top of the line Focals etc..) but man somehow records still sound so magical, almost like nothing is between you and the live analog microphone feed.

I used to own a Audible Illusions M3A, Quicksilver M60 monoblocks, silver audio cable and Vandersteen’s but sold it when I moved to buy my bigger house.

I have some active speakers and the turntable for her now need a real preamp etc...but want to put a full system together again with some floor standing speakers (full range not necessary) Polk r700’s ?

I was wondering if the tube pre’s were still worth it with tech coming pretty far in the last 10 years. I imagine the SS measures better now. Im open to differnt opintions. In the end for her and I it’s more about that enjoyment more than me feeling like I’m mastering something.

 

Of course I’m looking at the Audible 3B but it's a lot of spend on a pre but will.... I do think I want to go SS on the Power Amp this time but again open. Currently have an old Rotel here that may get used for a bit as I get the speakers and other pieces together.

 

Any suggestions welcomed !

 

Thanks !

John

sozocaps
dcevans
180 posts
 

As above, it would be really helpful to know what your budget is. Also, your speaker selection and sound you are hoping to achieve will likely guide you on the appropriate amp. Congratulations on the Audio Illusions preamp. John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona NJ sells Audio Illusion along with Vandersteen, Ayre, Rogue (solid state, hybrid and tube amps), Audio Research, Quicksilver tube gear, ProAc speakers. I think he would be a great resource for you. Do you like Focal or Vandersteen more? When it comes to both of these brands, I would look to solid state amplification over tubes. If you want a tube amp, would suggest brands like ProAc, Fritz, Klipsch, DeVore with high sensitivity or benign impedance curves or both.

dcevans
180 posts
 

What is most important to you in terms of the sound?  Timbre, tonal accuracy, dynamics (ability to easily transition from low to high volume), holographic soundstage, imaging? The answer to this question will generate better recommendations. 

sozocaps OP
5 posts
 

I love holographic soundstage and imaging and which is why I like the tube preamp but I do not like soft highs or loose bass. My old Quicksilver m60’s with EL34’s had personality in the mids which I like but were a bit lacking in the extremes. I did not try different tubes which may have fixed that. I would say I overall I am not an EL34 kind of guy, a bit too colored for me possibly. Solid State when I had it in my system (old Rotel RB951 still have it) was obviously not as deep or holographic of course but it was a bit more neutral from what I remember which is why I was wondering what current Tube amps offer the best of both today. I know there are TONS of solid state amps now like the Benchmark etc... but I do not want zero personality either.

 

Thanks !

dcevans
180 posts
 

Based on your response, I would look at Prima Luna or used Audio Research (e.g., Reference 75 SE) for a more modern tube sound that approaches solid state in neutrality and handling the frequency extremes but offers the 3D soundstage of tubes, or maybe a hybrid Rogue amp.

steakster
1,890 posts
 

AGD Audion. I heard them at the LA Audio Show.

Merger of SS and tubes. Dynamic & Sweet.  Surprisingly powerful.

Here’s a review.

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