Adding a tube amp is a good idea?

@corelli

The amp is an Elekit 8200R from Tube Depot. It’s supposed to arrive today. It comes with JJ 6L6GC power tubes and the usual 12AU7 inputs. A guy in our local audio club built Elekit’s 300B kit - went all in with the WE tubes and other upgrades, like Lundahl output transformers - and paired it with 93db speakers. I’ve heard it and it’s wonderful. I’ll probably set my amp’s jumpers for ultralinear (8 watts pc) at first, since my understanding is it’s optimized for that. You can also choose triode (4 watts pc) and pentode with the jumpers. The thing also has an auto bias circuit that adjusts for different tubes, so you can pop in EL34s, KT66 and other, similar tubes. I’ll feed it from my DAC at first and then from my Pass diy preamps and see what works best. It’s got a volume control of its own. I’m excited. Hope I don’t fry myself with the voltages these things operate on.

The speakers are DIY bookshelves with one 6.5-inch full-range driver each. I sourced all the parts from Parts Express. I searched for an 8-ohm speaker with 90+db sensitivity and carbon fiber cones (just because I like the sound of Wharfedale speakers and figured their woven Kevlar cones had something to do with it). I was a little shocked they sounded as good as they do. No, they don’t make much bass, but I added a little Martin Logan sub I got cheap and it all works together nicely. The setup is just for a family room we spend a lot of time in, so it’s not intended to be the end game system.

I knew it!!  I think you will like the Elekit 8200.  Read some very good things on that unit. If you like it (and I'm quite sure you will), consider upgrading to Lundahl OPT.  I think it will pair up great with your FR driver in triode.

I have a Ray integrated with the 6L6/Lundahls driving Omega speakers.  They work great together.  Very synergistic. 

Let us know how you like the Elekit.

Maybe it's just me but I like folk,jazz, acoustic music on my tube system and rock on my Integrated Amp set up.

Many probably would share similar feelings.  What blows me away is how a 4wpc SET driving a full range driver coupled with small REL subs allows me to enjoy 90% of my CD collection.  Yes, there are some recordings that clearly are better sounding on my "big system"  However, there are also some recordings I prefer on this smaller more modest system.

My only hesitation with tube amps are the heat and the the potential of endless tube rolling and life and cost of power tubes.  In addition, I would probably drive myself crazy trying to figure out when to replace the tubes.  My solution is my tube pre amp and solid state monoblock amps.