Amp/Preamp Asylum

Posted by darkmoebius (A) on October 21, 2009 at 12:47:42

In Reply to: RE: Transition from SS to Tubes posted by Uncletoad on October 20, 2009 at 08:32:13

For integrated amp or amp/preamp separates

Plenty of great options out there

• RE: What's your price range? - Uncletoad 13:02:33 10/21/09 (8)
  In Reply to: RE: What's your price range? posted by darkmoebius on October 21, 2009 at 12:47:42

  That depends. If I buy it in pieces over 6 months or a year less that $4K If I buy something now under $1000.
  
  For instance, a friend of mine suggested I buy a Convergent Audio preamp that was an older model. Still great sound but lower bucks. Then buy some mono blocks or some other power amp like an old Dynaco 70.
  
  OTOH I can get an integrated vintage unit or repair my old Scott LK-72 that doesn't work. I've also found deals on PAS 2 Dynaco and Dynaco 70 combos that are under $1000.
  
  I guess I just don't know if it's worth waiting to put money into higher dollar stuff or if this lower buck vintage stuff will do it.
  
  Then I am concerned about the audiophile no tone circuit thing. I don't get that. Take all the tone circuits out of the electronics and leave crossovers in your speakers...or use a crossover on the subwoofer.
  
  There are times when I could use a bass knob depending on the record I'm playing. I don't understand what the issues is with tone circuits.
  
  Separate topic I suppose.
  

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  • The Audio Note OTO Line Integrated is close - Frihed89 01:48:45 10/22/09 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: What's your price range? posted by Uncletoad on October 21, 2009 at 13:02:33

    If you are fortunate enough to live in a city with an AN dealer, give it a listen. A list of audionote dealers can be found at the link I have provided. If you email mike&neli at audiofederation, they can tell you the exact US price.
    "Live free or die"
    

    • http://www.audionote.co.uk/distributor/dist_home_01.shtml   (Open in New Window)

    
    

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  • Lotta great options... - darkmoebius 18:01:11 10/21/09 (6)
    In Reply to: RE: What's your price range? posted by Uncletoad on October 21, 2009 at 13:02:33

    First, the integrateds. Some of these are already sold, but look for others popping up

    VTL IT-85 - 80 wpc(EL34). VTL makes great, great, equipment

    Manley Stingray - 20wpc(EL84 tubes) Triode/40wpc Ultra-linear. Great sounding amp with a ballsy power to it

    Manley Stingray(another)

    Audiomat (Mutine) Arpège Référence - 30 wpc(EL34) - wonderful sounding amp, lush, refined, very, very musical

    Almarro 318B - 18wpc(6C33C-B). One of the finest sounding integrateds I have ever heard. Was on par with my much, much, more expensive amps as far as musical satisfaction was concerned. But, 18 wpc may be a little underpowered for your tastes

    Onix SP3 melody mkii - 38wpc(5881). Well reviewed. Onix is making some really nice gear

    
    I'll look into some amp & preamp suggestions later tonight.
    

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    Edits: 10/21/09

    • RE: Lotta great options... - Uncletoad 18:19:41 10/21/09 (5)
      In Reply to: RE: Lotta great options... posted by darkmoebius on October 21, 2009 at 18:01:11

      Fantastic list. Thanks for taking the time!
      

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      • And now, Amps & Preamps.... - darkmoebius 22:29:53 10/21/09 (4)
        In Reply to: RE: Lotta great options... posted by Uncletoad on October 21, 2009 at 18:19:41

        Amps
        
        Quicksilver Silver 90 - 90wpc(KT88) - QS makes high performance gear at affordable prices by using non-flashy chassis. But don't let the looks fool you, their stuff is great. ONE OF THE BEST BANG-for-buckcompanies out there. Other 90's
        
        Quicksilver Audio Mid Mono - 50wpc(EL34)
        
        Music Reference RM-10 - 35wpc(EL84) - search out a few reviews of this amp.
        
        Vtl st-85 - 83wpc(EL34)
        
        Antique Sound Lab KMP60-Foxdt - 60wpc (Parallel Single-Ended[PSE] 6C33C-B) - one of the original value/quality Chinese manufacturers
        
        Melody M880 - 50wpc(KT88)
        
        
        Preamps
        
        Modwright swl 9.0 . another Modwright swl 9.0 se
        
        BAT VK-30 w/ phono - BAT makes high quality products
        
        
        

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        • RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... - Uncletoad 05:54:55 10/22/09 (3)
          In Reply to: RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... posted by darkmoebius on October 21, 2009 at 22:29:53

          Thanks for taking the time to do that. These are across a broad range of tubes and power. Is there some way for me to figure out weather I want an EL84 amp or EL34 amp or KT88 amp? They should have different sounds but in audio gear I have little opportunity to audition them for myself.
          

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          • RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... - thisisjay 08:47:51 10/22/09 (2)
            In Reply to: RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... posted by Uncletoad on October 22, 2009 at 05:54:55

            I cannot comment on the EL84's since I have never heard them. 3 out of 4 of the tube amplifiers were EL34 based. The amp I have now is KT88 based and I'm not missing the EL34 sound at all. The EL34 is definitely sweeter in the mid range, but in retrospect all of that mid range "bloom" created almost an artificial sound. The EL34 can have good highs depending on the tube, but seem to lack in the bass department. The KT88's seem to be more even from top to bottom with no shortage of low end which seems to work well with all types of music.
            Unless you are listening to mostly classical and instrumental, you might be happier with a KT88 based amplifier.
            
            
            

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            • RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... - Uncletoad 09:42:39 10/22/09 (1)
              In Reply to: RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... posted by thisisjay on October 22, 2009 at 08:47:51

              I listen to all types of music however the vast majority these days is acoustically created music like chamber music, orchestral, older jazz.
              
              I do have a long history of rock however and am prone to doing that once in awhile so I wouldn't want to make a rig incapable of doing that. On the other hand I'll still have plenty of solid state stuff around to do that high volume big bass thing if need be.
              
              Right now I'm looking for that sweet first watt because I rarely use more. 20 solid state watts in that room is to damn loud to be in there with.
              

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              • RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... - jaydacus 14:34:30 10/22/09 (0)
                In Reply to: RE: And now, Amps & Preamps.... posted by Uncletoad on October 22, 2009 at 09:42:39

                
                
                

                
                I'm so happy with my ST-120 that I could not imagine anyone not being happy with this amp. It handles any style of music at any volume and always gives the best sound to everything. It also has triode mode for less power(32w per channel) for less power, but cleaner sound.
                
                I'm in no way affiliated with the person that sells these, just a really satisfied customer.

                • ST-120   (Open in New Window)

                
                

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