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Learning about tube amps - Where to start

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Posted on July 21, 2020 at 07:24:17
Vintage Armadillo
Audiophile

Posts: 1
Joined: July 21, 2020
 Over the years I have digitized everything and gotten rid of all my old cassettes, CDs, and movie DVDs, but I have kept my modest vinyl LP record collection and I'm slowly growing it. I have an old B&O amp and speakers that sound nice for my condo, but I've always appreciated the warm sound from tube amps amid would like to set up an amp and complimentary speakers, but I don't know where to start.

I do like the vintage Macintosh tube amps and I see them for sale from $1000-$5000 or more. These are collectible, but are they also good quality? And what model would I want for a modest system?

Any feedback or links to articles is appreciated!

 

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Maybe create a Systems Requirement list, posted on July 21, 2020 at 07:46:02
Charlie8521
Audiophile

Posts: 914
Location: South East Michigan
Joined: October 2, 2004
 To include:
Size of room.
Type of music you listen to.
Are you keeping the old speakers.
If you buy new speakers, monitors or floor standers.
Do you prefer an integrated amp, or separate preamp and amp
Remote control preference.
Budget for speakers, integrated or separates.
New or used (I'd avoid vintage, probably too much trouble for you).
AudioAsylum and AudioGon have great sites for used equipment.
Is there a significant other? They may not like big speakers.
Others please add your inputs to my list.

Check and see if there is a local Audio Club you can join. They'll invite you over to hear what they have.

 

RE: Learning about tube amps - Where to start, posted on July 21, 2020 at 07:57:06
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012
 All Mac tube amps are excellent, old and new, and prices reflect that. If you like the sound of Mac tube amps, consider VTL, conrad-johnson, and Manley. If you get any amp older than 30 years that hasn't been recapped, do it. Electrolytics that old cannot possibly perform to their original specs. Good luck.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: Learning about tube amps - Where to start, posted on July 21, 2020 at 08:42:37
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4391
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 Welcome to the Asylum!
There is a wealth of information here, as well as lots of personal opinion and taste-

You can use the search feature to mine threads of interest both here as well as the vintage and amp forums-
there is also lots of great info in the FAQs-

As said above, McIntosh offers great products that have stood the test of time and are well regarded and well built- they do have a house 'sound' which if you like - could be the answer you are looking for-

I would look at Roger Russell's website to get a better feel for the variety of products that McIntosh produced over the years-

McIntosh produced many amps under 100 watts per channel - which, with the right speakers, could work well in your condo -

There are some caveats to remember with older units-
-components (resistors, capacitors) don't always age well - so getting an original MC-30 might be attractive - but it might require some work to keep it running-
-the older mono amps can be cosmetically challenged - due to pitting of the chrome plating on the chassis and rust on the transformar cans etc- does not mean that they won't sound great - but they are not pretty - and it could be difficult to rectify-

There are other tube amps - some mentioned above - others you will find in your explorations-

set a budget - and hold yourself to it-
you may wish to cheange your speakers also...
Happy Listening

 

RE: Learning about tube amps - Where to start, posted on July 21, 2020 at 12:58:15
B. Scarpia
 Quicksilver, Tubes4hifi, assembled or kit

 

RE: Learning about tube amps - Where to start, posted on July 23, 2020 at 06:45:44
hifipaul
Audiophile

Posts: 735
Location: NY
Joined: December 22, 2008
HiFi shops are a thing of the past; thus, comparing and listening sessions are more difficult. Because we all have differing opinions about good sound, blind advice may not work out so well. I have been steered wrong a lot by honest, well meaning people......see if there is an audio club nearby and attend some meetings (if there are any, covid issues). Post where you live, maybe one of us lives nearby.

 

RE: Learning about tube amps - Where to start, posted on July 24, 2020 at 16:35:06
immatthewj
 I bought my first tube amp in '94 & hooked it up to a cheap preamp & a pair of cheap speakers. I've owned a couple of more tube amps since then, & all I will say that they provided some glorious experiences, but they also took me down some paths of frustration & potential financial ruination.

Best wishes & good luck on this!

 

RE: Learning about tube amps - Where to start, posted on July 27, 2020 at 08:00:42
deathtube 667



Learn from the best.

 

RE: Learning about tube amps - Where to start, posted on July 27, 2020 at 14:29:24
immatthewj
 In answer to a couple of questions I just posted about tubes, an inmate (Eli Duttman) recommended this book for me. this was only a couple of days ago, so I haven't had time to look into getting it yet.

1st or 2nd edition of James Brophy's "Basic Electronics for Scientists".

Eli went on to type that, "Both tubes and SS are discussed by Brophy. You will encounter differential equations."

 

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