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  3. 128385-13300

Help me get started again. Tube amp...

I had a full on audio addiction up until about 10 years ago when my first child entered the world and my priorities changed.

Now as my kids are spending more time with their friends and in activities I find my time at home wishing I had a system to appreciate.

Luckily I still have some little Stirling Broadcast LS3/5a V2 tucked in a corner, a nice little passive preamp stored in a drawer and a sudden CD player that has been playing Disney music faithfully.

I need pair a tube amp and I may even get some Vinyl.

My first little tube amps (which I sold here and wish I still had them) were VTL tiny triodes (the late version) and then I had fun playing with all kinds of ST-70 circuits.  The VTL was better but rolling up my sleeves and redoing the ST-70s was great.

Since I have been out so long I have no clue what is what.  I could use some direction for a lower priced tube amp to get me started.

It was recommended to me to look for Audion 300B Silver Knight mono-blocks or Rogers E-20 or E-40 amps from Doug Stirling.  Finding these is perhaps not as easy in good working order and at a cost I like.

Any thoughts on how to best start up my addiction again?
portlandlay
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
Bdp24
I like that Modjeski gets 100 watts out of only a single pair of tubes in the 200, and that those tubes are KT88’s (the amp can also be run with 6550’s)


Curious if there is another tube amp out there available other than the rm200 - any design - that is able to put out more power going from 8 ohms to 4 ohms ? Does anyone know ?

RM200 from owners manual tapped on 8 ohms.

8-Ohm Load ......4-Ohm Load ........2-Ohm Load
112 Watts ..........145 Watts............ 125 Watts

*************************************

Grannyring

Amp Modder 1 - changes out parts old for new with no change in design.

Amp Modder 2 - changes out parts old for new and makes design changes like no pcb.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;image=62509

Amp Modder 3 - changes out parts old for new; determines that existing pcb design works well, and puts money into other design changes.

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/y2014/10/120572/amp.jpg



All RM10'S are still PTP .  

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
Great pics. I modded mine with Jupiter caps and it looks like that last pic? Funny. Wanted to add-on an expansion chassis of wood so I could fit film caps in the power supply, but decided to just sell. Great amp however!
mani-2
42 posts
 
Forget that RM-200; too much now. So how about an RM-9mkii for less! Better amp for sure: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-music-reference-rm-9-mk-ii-125-watts-per-channel-2017-02-17-a...
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
Yes indeed. Nice amp for sale!
manga
37 posts
 
Since you can DIY and are also somewhat familiar with the ST70, I would suggest that you look into a VTA ST-120 over at tubes4hifi. It is I would say. somewhat based on the old Dynaco but much improved.

The input and driver circuit utilizes a Mullard topology now and there are two versions of the driver board available; one that uses the 12**7 family and one based on the octal 6SN7.

All components including the pre-punched SS chassis and the transformers are new US made parts. At under $1K as a kit, it is most certainly a great deal.

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm#ST120
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