2. amps-preamps
  3. 1154464577

Choice of tube amp?

I`ve auditioned some tube poweramps lately, the Rogue Zeus and the VTL S-400. This has left me contemplating a change from SS to tube power amplification.
My system consists of: APL Hifi NWO-2 cd/tube preamp, Pass Labs X350.5 and Martin Logan Summit. The APL and Summits are here to stay :) The Pass is up for discussion :) The Pass, in my setup, is a little dry sounding and doesn`t involve me as much as I know the APL and Summits are capable of. I`ve researched a little more than Rogue and VTL. I`ve been talking to VAC, Audio Valve, Wolcott, CJ and Cary. Any suggestions? And how they will compare to the Pass in my setup? If you feel my question is dumb or that you need more information, just tell me :)
mibviking

Showing 13 responses by mibviking

mibviking OP
21 posts
 
I`m not interested in Jadis, I`ve heard some of their models and they sounded slow and dull IMHO. I`m looking in the direction of the new Supratek Malbec and Wolcott 140s or Wolcott 280Ms.
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
Hehe, I`m from Norway and where I am now in the mountains, we recorded 28 degrees fahrenheit 2 weeks ago :) So if someone could MAIL me the review all is fine :)
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
The problem is that many of these names aren`t even imported to my country :-( So I might to take a leap of faith :) The little I have heard doesn`t indicate that good high powered tube amps is a downgrade from my X350.5. With it in place something is missing, I don`t feel goood listening for a longer period without getting tired. When I listen to tubes the music comea alive in a totally different may. I can`t explain exactly, but tubes do things RIGHT in a way SS can`t IMHO.
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
I`ve been recommended the Edge 12.1 and the Jeff Rowland 301 blocks as SS replacements. I`ve tried some preamps, up to $15k and they only veiled the sound as to what is with the bulit in pre amp, so the NWO-2 will do double duty as player ad pre also in the future :) McIntosh is too rounded at the frequency extremes.
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
Ali: My Summits have been played for thousands of hours, daily since last autumn :) I used 4 months on placement and I have specially made diffusors from Svanå Miljøakustik www.diffusor.com to control the backwave of the panels which are dialed in to perfection :) I`ve also vacuumed them as recommended by ML. So I started this thread to get tips as I`ve run out of choices with my systems components as it is. Moscode is noted, going to check`em out. I`ve also talked to Mick Maloney of Supratek, his new Malbecs are meant to drive stators and ribbons :)
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
As of now I`m very interested in the new Supratek 100 watters, Wolcott 120s and 240s, Vac Phi 300 and Rogue Zeus. Anyone here own or have any experiences with these amps regarding electrostats or have an insight to their sonic signature?
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
I don`have access to any fax as I`m on holiday in the middle of nowhere in Norway :( But I`ve read great things about the Zeus too, impressive specs for the money. Here in Norway it costs $12k
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
You say your opinion and I say mine. Isn`t that OK? You suggested them and I have auditioned them and found them of none interest. There was a reason for me not mentioning them in my first post :)
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
I`ll check it out, thank you for the tip :)
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
Steinhart doesn`t answer mails and I don`t do business with such firms. When one has to politely ask or make a lot of hassle getting in touch with them I say good riddance. So Steinhart wont see me taking my business their way. The 2 "Hottest" candidates are VAC Phi 300, Wolcott 140s or 280Ms or Moscode 401HR.
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
So there I`ve ordered Wolcott :)
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
I got the Wolcott and I`m now in the tube rolling stage. One of the 6922 input tubes from Electro Harmonic started making noise after 30 hours. I replaced them with Mullard (Made in Holland)E188CC SQ from the early 60s, huge improvment. Now I`m trying out Tungsram (Made in Hungary) ECL86 from the early 60s for the drivers, great sound but one of them haf a weakness where the pins penetrate the glass and had to be taken out. And left I have 8x SED "Winged C" EL 34s to be tested later :)
mibviking OP
21 posts
 
Now I`ve ordered 4x Telefunken Diamondbase ECL86 which are suppose to be better than Tungsram. So time will show.
Bartokfan: Whatever you write on the Jadis wont make my impressions go away ;)
More to discover