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I have never owned tube gear before. Still, I am interested in trying some out. However, I am extremly short of funds and need to look into used equipment. PreAmp and Amp or Int Amp for under 300, cheaper if at all possible. I am willing to study up the necessary info to attempt to clean up an old piece if necessary. Any suggestions on what to look for and where to find good basic information on cleaning up old gear?
Thanks.
Vintage integrated amps are the way to go. In your price range look for Fisher, Scott, EICO, Bogen, Sherwood, Heath, Dynaco.
If you're new, better to buy from a dealer (local or net) so that you end up with a unit that will be in good working condition. Here's a site lead -- I think they're a bit pricy, but probably reliable. I've never had direct dealings with them, but have monitored their site for some time and have read about other's good experiences. Buyer beware.
http://users.fastrans.net/classicaudio/Gearpage.html
I highly recommend you go to the Vacuum Tube Valley web site and consider ordering the all back issues -- $150 investment. They are an invaluable resource.
Some older units are ok, some are good, some are just amazingly musical.
They all have phono stages.
Have a ball.
Regards,
WTS
...To Tube Curious-- First, you can peruse the posts for the last couple months right here at Audio Asylum for ideas...Next, check around your town at TV repair shops, one of them may have an old tube hi-fi tuner, amp, etc---Then, I'd check at the local stereo stores--someone may have used a piece or two of tube gear to trade in on some "modern"hi-fi stuff---Also, check around at local garage and 'estate'sales for tube hi-fi..I knew of a guy 2 yrs ago, picked up a perfectly-working integrated tube amp at a garage sale for--a DOLLAR!! Keep searching....j.c. > > > > >
as far as a really inexpensive tube amp, the Dynaco ST70 is pretty good.... I just picked up one for cheap to do the exact same thing you are attempting... initial impression is favorable.... need more time and some tube rolling to make better impression (it has sovtek output tubes, gonna try some svetlanas)... mine has a dead quiet power supply, not a bit of hum whatsoever and no ticks, pops, or otherwise stange noises... it also has a few other mods already done (and done rather welll from looking at it).... these can be had pretty cheap on the various internet shop sites, or bid for one on Ebay.com.... around $200 - $250 depending on vintage, condition, luck..... lots of info out there about repair, upgrades, etc... they are also really easy to bias the output tubes.... mate it with a foreplay preamp as Eli has suggested and it's cheap tube sound for very little money....just a suggestion....of course it is a prerequisite that you have speakers that are tube friendly... waste of time and money if the speakers aren't up to the task... all other warnings concerning tube ownership and system matching apply....
Shane
If you are up to the challenge of assembling a kit, the "Foreplay" preamp kit @$99 from Electronic Tonalities is a very inexpensive place to begin. E/T is an AA sponsor with links on the AA home page.Happy listening.
Eli D.
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