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pretzel_logic

(A)

I placed a post on the amps section here and got some good ideas on where to go in my first foray into tubes. I have a pair of Klipsch KLF-10 loudspeakers and they should be fine with a rated 98db sensitivity. I want to start out with an amp/preamp setup over integrated, more upgradability I would think. At first I was thinking about spending in the $1500 range but from what others have said staring out lower will give me more of an opportunity to upgrade, as well as my other equipment. My turntable is a mid-priced Sony, not a bad table but I can definitely do better and that will be first on my list after the amp/preamp and then the CD player. I'm still not sure what mfg I'm going to go with but hopefully with some more reading I'll be able to make a decision soon, I'm ready for some quality listening.

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Try Looking in local Paper's Classifieds For Working Tube Gear First--- - john c. 09:27:10 11/06/02 (0)
...if you find a tube amp or preamp, or
receiver LOCALLY, then you can
buy it and immediately take it
home to hear it instead of say, buying
it thru a mail-order place
or online dealer...ALSO see if there
are any stereo shops in your town
which sell used tube gear---OR, you could
place an ad in the local
Classifieds
under the "wanted" section--
for ex. 'Wanted:a working vacuum tube preamp
or power amp,or tube receiver,willing
to pay $XXX for it
upon inspection.'......
good luck in your hunt!!
Dynaco SCA-35 - rtbarr 20:25:32 11/02/02 (0)
You'll have plenty of money left over for a new vinyl rig if you consider a Dynaco SCA-35. It is a 17.5 watt/channel integrated amp that sells on eBay for $125-250. Your speakers are plenty efficient for this amplifier.
The low mileage units are pretty easy to spot. Check out the lettering around the power switch. Missing letters mean it had some wear. Creampuff ones have intact lettering.
The tubes (12AX7, EL84) are easily obtained, except for the 7199 ones. This unit requires two of them. Nice NOS RCAs run $35-50 a pair on eBay, generally a little more from reliable dealers.
The Eico HF-81 is also excellent (looks like c*%p, sounds like a million $). It is similar to the SCA-35, except for tube rectification and triode connection of the EL84s (someone correct me if I am wrong here, please). Triode connection reduces the output to about 12 watts/channel. Unfortunately on eBay a bidding frenzy on several units recently has boosted prices into the stratosphere, maybe $400+, so waiting for sanity to return may be in order here...
So many good choices, so little time. Do a google search on these models and see how many people have been bewitched by their sound. With your budget you could buy one of each and still buy a Music Hall MMF-5 turntable and some spare tubes ( & nice cables...).
If you later decide you need a newer amp or a more powerful one, either one of these would make a great bedroom or garage second system centerpiece.
rtbarr
My humble opinion: Go for a new table first - BlackPlasticSound 18:07:33 11/02/02 (1)
P L,
I know that's not the direction you're considering, but in my experience, the source is the single most important improvement most people can make in a starter system upgrade. The improvements to be heard from a jumping up a notch or two on turntables can be startling. It's the garbage in/garbage out philosophy, much as with computer data. Neither the preamp nor the amp can do anything to fix a source signal that isn't up to snuff in the first place.
You know the sound of your current setup better than anyone else, but if you're planning to get a better turntable anyway, I'd say go ahead and shop for that now. Then when you're ready to upgrade the electronics, you'll be in a better position to evaluate them since you'll be feeding them a cleaner signal.
My presumptuous 2 cents, John
- I have to agree - airtime 05:33:19 11/03/02 (0)
  The upstream components are most important. Get good sources and work on the preamp. I'm using a Dynaco PAS with some upgrades. The wonderful thing about the PAS is its cheap and you can upgrade it to a very high end preamp in stages. I first upgraded the out of spec parts. Saved up and put in Curcio's linestage board. Then added his power module (the surprise was this was the most significant upgrade I ever made). Easy to work with, looks great, tons of help available with these, easy tubes to find and the sound when your done is world class.
  charles

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