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Tube amp for rock? Newb Questions

Ive been plowing though the posts here and thought this seems like a place I could find some more help.

Anyway, I listen to rock about 80% of the time. Anything from very heavy metal to 80s rock. Some blues, some softer rock, and Pink Floyd, I dont mind jazz or big band or female vocalists, but im off point....mostly rock. My room is about 12X22.

Im upgrading a very mainstream set of components that ive just sort of lived with for years:
Yamaha CDC 905 Changer
JVC 518VBK AV Reciever
Kenwood JL-680 3-Way, 12"main, 92db, 70w, Circa 1989 Speakers

Going to a hi-fi shop of any kind is just not realistic on a regular basis(very remote) so im leaning heavily on the forums and reviews online to gauge a direction.

So far ive tried a Cambridge Azur 340A and now currently demoing a 540A (both along with a set of AudioQuest ICs). Honestly the ICs made a huge leap with my original setup..I was impressed. Anyway, the CA amps are very musical, more imaged and more detailed. However my initial impression is these are not rock amps. Negatives are the guitars are now more "in the back" so to speak, more harshness/treble/brightness, and also a more general laid back sense, almost like the corners of big rock and roll hits are rounded off if that makes sense.

Am I on track that these amps arent rock amps? Or is it possible the speakers are now more exposed for their faults? Ditto the CD player?

To take this further, I feel whats most associated with "rock" or "heavy metal" are punch, power, volume and bass. I agree....to a point. Ill take killer midrange over heavy bass, and what good are punch, power and volume without feel, subtleties and tone?

As a side note, ive been playing guitar for 20+ years, when talking guitar amps, IMO there is nothing to discuss, tube is FAR superior to SS. I particularly like EL84 juiced amps, smooth, warm amd sweet. Is there a correlation with tube audio?

I dont want to start the "what to upgrade first" debate, ive read all the many many opinions....:) Im open to speakers or source, but right now looking at amps(with my system im thinking just pick one and get started...bad idea?)

I know some feel SS is the way to go for a rock amp, but currently im assuming based on my experiences so far and guitar tastes im going to like tube amps. I certainly could be wrong.

I like the talk about the Manley Stingray. Ive read everything every search engine will find about it and talked to Manley as well as some dealers. Any opinions on it for my wants/need? What about the Prologue 2 or the Jolidas? Are then in the same ball park as the Stingray or are we talking a step down?

For speakers ive looked at and considering(based on $$) the Athena F2.2s, Paradigm Espirits, and most others in this price range, but also found some Dali Towers that are slightly more(may get a chance to hear them in a couple of weeks). Based on my future plans/$/listening habits, any recommendations?

I hope tihs is semi-clear, I appreciate any thoughts, Thanks!
zamdrang
zamdrang OP
33 posts
 
Ive heard the same on foriegn recordings. Wish I could remember the link, bascially had listed in order of quality....something like German, Japanese, American etc. Not sure if there is anything to it. Maybe someone else here will chime in.

I agree about musical enjoyment rather than obsessing over ideal recordings. I have a lot of stuff that is pretty rough. Thats why I like tone/eq controls.
zamdrang OP
33 posts
 
Wanted to refresh this post on my journey...

Well..Undertow was right...hindsight is fun huh? I ended up selling the Stingray and the Rotel. I happened on a great deal on a brand new Mac 6900. Ive owned it for a year, and have to say im MUCH closer to what im after, speakers are still my wink link, but the Mac sings with whatever I throw at it. As somoene else mentioned it doesnt seem as picky as the other gear ive owned. Just big, warm, smooth sound, not the last word in resolution I suppose...but with my recordings thats not what I want. I want listenability and it delivers.

To be fair to the Stingray I think with the right speaker pairing I might have never parted with it. If if if...:)

I also upgraded to an Apollo. Compared to my old Yamaha....just more of everything is how i'd describe it. Very nice.

Oh and upgraded my ICs to Audioquest Jaguars.

Im much happier then I was in 06 when I orginally posted, just wanted to update in case someone was starting down the road I did and had the same question(s)...maybe this will help...:)
undertow
1,033 posts
 
Zamdrang
I am happy it worked out.
I could go on about why and how you came to your conclusion, however we all have to take some experimental risks in this hobby…

Now if you want to work toward the ultimate level…

Upgraded speaker crossovers

And room acoustics

Both will reduce your distortion and frequency balance issues especially with heavy rock at high levels, your equipment will out run your room and saturate your crossovers probably well before your ears or gear gives up.

If your perfectly happy enjoy and just leave it all alone, there is no end and always another level!

Good luck
vonriess
5 posts
 
What a great thread. I too have been searching for a great rock system and the collective wisdom on this thread is more informative than pretty much everything else I've read. Zamdrang what's the latest assessment of the MA6900 and did you ever try other speakers? Would love to get and update in 2010.
zamdrang OP
33 posts
 
I revisited this old thread I started 10 years ago to refresh my memory on the great advice I got here.  If any of you are your still lurking here...thank you!   I still have the Mcintosh 6900, Apollo and Dali Royal Towers.   About 2.5 years ago I moved to the Bay Area, housing what it is I didn't have space for my system and put it in storage.   So since 2014 I have been using computer monitors for my musical fix.  

I recently moved to another part of CA...where I could live in something other than a shoe box.... and was able to get my system setup again.   After 2.5 years of not hearing my stereo... or any good stereo for that matter.... firing it up was amazing!   It is interesting to see my comments from the very beginning and see the comparison to my opinion of my system today.    Long story short... my problem on this quest was just as sogood51 and others pointed out at the time... I made the wrong speaker choice.   

If anyone happens to read this thread due to starting a similar journey, and intent on a tube amp for rock, heed the advice here... speaker choice is critical.    
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