2. amps-preamps
  3. 982357973

Will tubes rock?

I have to get a new amp, my acurus A150 was destroyed in a recent move (don't ask). What survived of the move were my spicas, acurus ACD-11 and parasound pre.
I keep seeing great deals on tube amps, and wondered if as a class I should be auditioning these during my search. I've heard some Cary and VTL products in systems that sounded wonderful but were way out of my league. 70% of my collection is rock with less than stellar recording...the rest is jazz, folk, and orchestral. Any thoughts?
pinetop14a89e
bezeemya
20 posts
 
Music Reference RM200 Tube amp by Rodger Modjesky was $3600 retail-purch. new. $2300. 6550C in it now. JJKT88 about to roll. This push pull amp has never failed to rock from whatever was played thru it. Satrianni to space music. A little laid back for some. This room is not to large (13X25) w/burbur carpet. Rest of sytem: Sound Wave Point Source 4.5, 2.5 & Diolog center speakers by vero research inc. w/Vandersteen 2WQ subs. ARC LS10 ss pre & Anthem AVM2surround/AVC3amp & Straightwire Crescendo/BlacSilc/Seranade/Infolink cables. comprise 2ch. & theatre.
khrys
446 posts
 
Pinetop, check your tangeloes, biased ortho-citrus, and get back to us.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Pinetop; I feel like I've got to "tippy toe" here 'cuz for the most part I don't feel that a good tube amp can rock like a good SS amp can. I say this because I recently compared, head to head, a Sonic Frontiers Line 2 (110 wpc), and my McCormack DNA-2DX (300 wpc). BTW each of these amps lists for $5K. And while the SF tube amp had much going for it, it simply lacked the rhythmic drive and control of the bass like the McCormack has for R&R music. The bass of the tube amp was plenty deep, but lacked quickness and control, in fact it was no contest. I listened to the SF Line 2 for over three weeks, and enjoyed it very much on music that did not depend on quick, articulate bass. I'd recommend a good SS amp such as McCormack's DNA.5 or DNA-1. I should note that I use Sonic Frontiers Line 2 pre-amp (tubed), and like the combination very much. Happy Hunting. Craig.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
.......major Typo above, Line 2 should be POWER 2, except for the last sentence which is correct. Sorry.
bezeemya
20 posts
 
Music Reference RM200 Tube amp by Rodger Modjesky was $3600 retail-purch. new. $2300. 6550C in it now. JJKT88 about to roll. This push pull amp has never failed to rock from whatever was played thru it. Satrianni to space music. A little laid back for some. This room is not to large (13X25) w/burbur carpet. Rest of sytem: Sound Wave Point Source 4.5, 2.5 & Diolog center speakers by vero research inc. w/Vandersteen 2WQ subs. ARC LS10 ss pre & Anthem AVM2surround/AVC3amp & Straightwire Crescendo/BlacSilc/Seranade/Infolink cables. comprise 2ch. & theatre.
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