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I have always wanted a tube amp. The best thing I ever heard was a Rogue 88 (model # ??)I would like to know what is the best overall tube amp design. I know there are many variations but I am looking for some consensus.
My 2 speaker sets are 89bd/8ohm and 88/4ohn. I am not really looking to but another pair of speakers just to match a tube amp.
I hear Push-Pull offers the best bandwidth and dynamics and SET offers the best sound stage.
Also I'd like to get opinions on the best overall tube set for a given amp. I don't want to spend huge $$ on hard to find tubes. I don't want el-cheapo junk tubes that don't last and sound only OK.
Follow Ups:
are the VTL Wotans and the Joule Rite of Passage amps. They are very different designs, but both are remarkable in their harmonic integrity and power.
Transcendent OTL 8, best amp I`ve ever heard!!!!!
The Rogue 88 is a excellent choice. I have been using mine/ with EH KT 88 tubes for over a year now and am still amazed at the quality of sound from it. It holds its own with amps costing a lot more and in my opinion outdoes most of them.
McIntosh MC2102. Svetlana KT88 output tubes. Over 50 years of tube amp design experience results in a great sounding, reliable push pull design.
No such thing. Happy hunting and let me know once you've found it...;-)
have always wanted a tube amp. The best thing I ever heard was a Rogue 88 (model # ??)If the best thing you ever heard was a rogue 88..than that is the best tube amp...it really is as simple as that..
What is your budget for an amp, the Rogue could be a great amp in your system if it's all you can afford. What is make and model of yor speakers (just providing the sensitiviy is not enough) and what else is your system comprised of? Do you you want an integrated amp or amp and preamp? All recommendations are relatively useless if you can't afford them and/or they don't match well with the equipment you intend to keep.
Bru7,Unfortunately I agree with J-O's response ("if the Rogue 88 is the best you've heard, you've got a long way to go...")
I too have been involved in this pursuit of music reproduction nirvana (via tube amps) for quite some years. I've heard many great designs, and attend numerous audio shows. I've heard the esoteric SET designs, the big ballsy push-pulls that weigh as much as a car, and most if not all of the Stereophile so-called "class A rated" amps... The best tube amps I ever heard to my ears were the Siltech mono-blocks that use a huge single radio transmitter tube in each chasis. If I could afford them, I would buy them in an instant. Unfortunately, they cost $60k
If $60k is in your budget, then I highly recommend the Siltechs. If not, you might want to take a listen to the Innersound iTube. It's quite an amazing little amp, and should have enough steam to drive your relatively low sensitvity speakers... It is rated at 150wpc, is a push pull and weighs in at over 100 lbs! I've got one and I am tickled every time I listen to it in my system!
Oh, and by the way, that "long road" ahead of you?!? It's a lot of fun--so don't sweat it!
Cheers-
BTW, here is the link for the iTube amp...
After almost 25 yrs into this hobby, I am still looking for the best system.
Best tube amp, then best speaker, best interconnect.... Further break it down, best driver tube, best output tube, best capacitor, best transformer, best connector.........
If Rogue 88 is the best thing you have heard, you have a very long way to go my friend. Good luck.
Bru7,The one with the best transformers, most stable power supply, centered around EL34 tubes.
Most of the EL34's made today greatly lack any reasonable amount of reliability and durability. The Russian stuff is fair at best, the the Chinese and Eastern European stuff is worse. However, IMO they all have fine sonics.
Regards, Jerry O.
The EL-34 gives you plenty of opportunity to tube roll and there are plenty of classic Amps that use these
VAC Auricle (very similar to Marantz 8B) would be a good example
Eric
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