2. amps-preamps
  3. 962911446

I need tube sound without the tubes

I've been running tubes for awhile and am just about fed up with all the problems that tubes entail. I've spent the past five years putting out fires...sometimes literally. Problem is I love the tube sound. Now, I'm a poor social worker with a taste for caviar and a pocket for tunafish...anyone out there have any recommendations for a great cheap amplifier that sounds sorta tubey. I need at least 75W per channel to run my speakers effectively. Cheap, my doctor and lawyer friends, means around $400. Maybe I'll be able to afford more in my next lifetime. Anybody want to make a donation to charity?
todd_crosby59c4
david99
1,467 posts
 
I can't understand why you have so many problems with tubes.I never have had a problem and currently have 16 tubes in my system.I can think of no $400.00 amps that have a tube like quality to them.You usually have to pay lots to get REAL "tube like" sound.You may be told some cheaper amps sound this way but I wouldnt believe it.IF you can swing some more cash the Pass Labs Aleph 3 is a real sweet sounding amp.Only 35 wpc but pure class A bias and handles amps with 88db and above quite well to fairly high volumn.If I were you I would stick with tubes.Is your bias set correctly? Tubes in good shape? I cant figure out why you have so much trouble.What amp do you have?? Im a nurse so I can relate to your $$ issues.
phild
603 posts
 
I'd second the Aleph 3 recommendation, but those are around $1100 used. I'd recommend checking out some used Luxman amps from the 70s, or early 80s. They're solid state, but have a warm, smooth sound. They even made a few models of integrated amps with one or two tubes in the preamp...they were nice, and trouble free. I had a one-tube C-384 from the mid 90s which was nice, and there is 80s model with two tubes that has been reviewed favorably at audioreview.com.
mikeam
122 posts
 
Monarchy Audio. SM70 or SM70 Pro. The unit cost $719.00 retail. It is a stereo block rated at 25 w/ch when used as a stereo amp, but you can flip a switch for 70 w/ch of mon action. I know this is higher than your budget, but on the used market, you should be able to get 2 of the units for about $900.00. The Pro costs a little more and has more power. These are 2 stage class A 0 feedback amps. Regards, Mike
cr
6 posts
 
Muse 100 amp. If you can find a used one, it'll be about $400.00-500.00 used. It has a very nice tube sound without any tubes to worry, and it built by a great company. Any questions, let me know.
todd_crosby59c4 OP
3 posts
 
Hi Dave, To answer your question, I started with Counterpoint gear about seven years ago. As you probably know, that stuff can be a nightmare. Went back to CA three separate times and almost burned my house down. Just got back from Peace Corps in 1998 and needed a tube amp so I got a Dynaco. Sounded great for about four months...then it's gone...I think it's the can capacitor. But even then the sound was great on some nights...others it was mediocre. But your right...I love tube sound, but after owning tubes for years, I've spent more time looking at my equipment than listening to it.
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