2. amps-preamps
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I Feel Overwhelmed....Please Help

Hello, all.

I have recently decided to begin upgrading to stereo components around the entry level audiophile range, and move away from home theater stuff. I need help, as I had no idea until I began recently researching modern amps, preamps, integrateds, etc, just how huge the selection there is available.

Currently, I have the following:

Harman Kardon AVR 235 A/V receiver
Front L&R channels:
50 Watts per channel
@ <0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Harman Kardon FL 8385 CD Changer

Klipsch KG 5.5 Floorstanding Speakers
frequency response 34Hz-20kHz±3dB
power handling 100 watts maximum continuous (500 watts peak)
sensitivity 98dB @ 1watt/1meter
nominal impedance 8 ohms
tweeter K-85-K 1" (2.54cm) Polymer dome compression driver
high frequency horn 90°x60° Tractrix® Horn
woofer Two K-1023-K 10" (25.4cm) Injected Carbon Graphite cones
Bass reflex via front-mounted port

Grado Labs SR325 Headphones

I use the receiver strictly for stereo music playback with my HK CD changer, or I play .flac or .mp3 files via input to the receiver from my computer sound cards optical digital output.

I want to keep my Klipsch speakers for now, along with my Grado cans, which I love. OTOH, I have not been particularly happy with the two HK components. Although the sound is not totally bad, it is a tad too bright, and it is fatiguing to listen over long periods of time. My room acoustics are not ideal either, with hardwood floors and drywall throughout. The listening rooms dimensions are 14'x13', with speaker placement along and near the corners of the 13' wall. At present, I cannot afford any of the acoustic treatments I see on the various internet sites.

From what I have seen so far, I think I would favor the warm, rich, clear sound of tube components. My Klipsch speakers are highly efficient at 8 ohms, so I should not need higher power, but I don't want to lose bass response either. I have not had much experience listening to higher end audio, but I really loved the sound of a friends McIntosh receiver (late 70's vintage), and another friends 60's vintage tubed HH Scott receiver, both systems paired with matching speaker pairs of the same brands respectively. Those experiences are why I believe I should really consider tube amps.

Would someone please be so kind as to suggest components that would allow me to play CD, CD-R, and digital music files based upon what I stated above? I suppose I could do without the ability to directly play back the digital files, but a CD player is a must have. Oh yeah, my budget is up to $3000, but I want to get as much as I can for the best possible price under that ceiling. Thanks.
chap_cat

Showing 11 responses by phaelon

phaelon
1,038 posts
 
The unenlightened should never walk into a dealership IMO. Too many of the salespeople one encounters are little better than snake oil salesmen, and even if they seem to be helping you initially, they might be setting you up for a future hit. I know this is harsh and to those salesmen who are on the square - I'm sorry, but you, more than most, know it's true.

My advise would be to look into an Audio Society or club in your area. Find a local mentor, or even one here on Audiogon; you'll find some really generous people here.
Read a lot of forums and you'll get a feel for the members. There are people on Agon who I've never met that I hold in very high regard; some of them can be a little terse at times but there good intentions will be revealed if your persistent. LOL. Good luck.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
Chap cat, Dave,
If my post came off as condescending or pedantic I apologize; that couldn't be further from my intention. I was trying to offer the benefit of my mixed experiences with dealers. Chap cat, I'm happy you're more on top of things than I once was and am looking forward to hearing about your successes.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
Chap cat,
Mapleshade sells modified vintage Scott tube components including a $1495 receiver. I haven't heard these myself but they sound interesting and are offered with 30-day money back. Perhaps another member can post regarding their quality.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
I wouldn't have posted if TVAD's post as there when I started. Slow typist.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
"I think that's fine for those people that enjoy that, but I'm in the very substantial camp that would rather pay a designer to do his best work and buy accordingly."

Changing tubes no more invalidates a "designers best work" than swapping power cords. Many designers, especially the more prolific ones, will tell you there are many considerations when they select a tube, they don't choose exclusively based on best sound. In fact, I just had this conversation with a designer who was very enthusiastic about a tube that he thought sounded incredible in his amp but was too rare. We talked for some time about the choices he made, even in circuits, and not everything he decided was his personal choice for his listening preferences and system. He frequently made decisions calculated to broaden the products appeal.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
"take your time and don't get pressured into ANYTHING including being belittled into thinking you MUST get tubes to qualify as an audiophile."

"Belittled"?
LOL! Dave, you are one far out cat.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
"being able to tube roll is NOT an automatic advantage to owning tube equipment, UNLESS you enjoy doing that kind of thing"

I don't enjoy doing that kind of thing but I sincerely enjoy the music so much more. Maybe I got lucky but in my system it's been the greatest "bang for the buck" improvement I've heard - and please don't tell me the improvement is subjective.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
"Also, buy stuff that has a decent following so the pool of buyers is large."

That is such elegant advice, it's somewhat amazing to me how often it's ignored. If you're a regular browser of the classifieds, you'll see certain components that you just can't seem to click on fast enough before they're gone.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
Chap_cat,

Congratulations, and welcome to the tube side of the force. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that I'm eager to hear your impressions when you get set up. Best of luck.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 

"I've had great success with aNDY AT Vintage Tubes"

I can second that.
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
Speaking from the tube-hugger corner, I would advise you to wait a little before exploring new tubes - make sure everything is broken in first, and that you have whatever isolation you chose, optimally positioned, etc. It's great that you're happy right out of the box so there's no need to rush anything. For me, there is the first impression of new components followed later(sometimes quite a bit) with the much more useful assessment needed to make beneficial adjustments.
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