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In Reply to: RE: Opinions on upgrading to tube amplification posted by jared0216 on August 20, 2014 at 17:23:16
[You might try moving this to the Vintage forum if you're looking for recommendations on vintage pieces]A Fisher receiver, like a 400 or 500, would fit your budget and give you an easy way to try an all tube front end. If you didn't like it, you most likely could sell it for what you paid. I have had, at various times, both of those, and I preferred them to the Sony solid state receiver they replaced.
Someone recently posted on here, I think, about Scott 340 receivers being a nice sounding unit, too. Not sure what they go for, but it might be a good alternative.
Another approach might be to try a tube pre-amp and see how you like that. I'm not sure what tube pre's would fit your budget, though.
Edits: 08/20/14Follow Ups:
I like this thought, especially since I have had my eye on a Fisher 400 receiver at my local record shop. I could likely trade some vinyl for it. Is there anything in particular I looking for when buying a unit like this?
The vintage tubes suggested by others here is a great idea -- you can get great sound AND warm up your system, while remaining in the ballpark of your stated budget.
The pitfall is that you need an amp that's been properly restored -- ALL of the capacitors must be replaced; not a single original cap should remain. Some restorations use boutique parts that will drive the cost way up; you want quality parts but the $$$ stuff isn't necessary. OR you can buy an all-original-parts unit and hand it immediately to a tech qualified for restoration. DON'T plug-in an unrestored unit to "see how it sounds"; you can cause damage to the amp.
The Fisher and ST-70 mentioned here are known, respected models. There are other great options from the likes of Heathkit and Eico, but you should do some research to know what's what.
In the context of modern hifi, the preamp sections of vintage tube gear doesn't have as good a reputation as the amplifier sections. Sometimes the driver stages are also lacking, and can be modded (e.g. replace the 12AU7 of Heathkit W5 with 12BH7 or rewire for 6CG7; the new driver boards for the ST-70 kits, etc). Vintage tube amps (mono or stereo, not integrated) are point-to-point and simple enough (compare a Heathkit W5 to the internals of that Fisher) that they're easily serviced by a competent tech -- they're your best value, and I've used restored tube amps (Eico HF-87, Heathkit W5) in combination with modern preamps to great effect. It can sound as good as MUCH more expensive modern tube amps -- better in some ways, worse in others. But definitely, the value is there!
Thanks for the insight. A lot of opinions on the subject. I am hoping research upfront will save me time/money in the long run!
Get one of the ST-70s sold on AudiogoN with all updated circuits and parts. Latino us one there are others.
Then there is Dynacoparts.com that will sell you a kit several different ways.
Solid state is strictly for Television.
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