2. amps-preamps
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Considering switching to Tubes

Hello all, 

For the last ten or so years I've been listening to music on my home stereo, and for the last 10 or so years I have been 100% content with everything about it. And then my best friend brought by a Chinese integrated tube amp, and my world fell apart. 

Currently the set up is:
Speakers: B&W 805s 
Amp: Rotel RB1070
Preamp: Rotel RC1070 
CD player: Rotel RCC1055
DAC: TEAC UD301 

The B&W and Rotel gear was purchased whe  I worked at an electronics retail store through the employee purchase program (I think it was cost -10%), the TEAC was added to try out streaming through the system, which in all honesty is what I do 99% of the time now. 

My friend and former colleague brought over a recently acquired Yaqin MC100B, and I simply can't stress enough how much more I enjoyed listen to the music off of that integrated Amp. 

Which leads me to my questions, should I just give in, and grab a relatively affordable tube amp? And secondly, I've been reading (mostly about Yaqin, because I'm not in the position currently to invest 5000+) up on their various models, and the two that seem to be what in looking for are either the MC100B which I've heard on my system and the MC13S, which I have not. The first uses KT88s and the second uses EL34s, I'm not a big bass loving guy, and the EL34s intrigue me, but I'm a hesitant to jump in without listening to them. The snag is, I live in the arctic, and the only really way for me to try them at home, is to purchase them. 

I'm open to arguments for and against swapping out the rotel, for yaqin.


Cheers, 

E 
esp803

Showing 1 response by audionoobie

audionoobie's avatar
audionoobie
355 posts
 

I recently made the switch to tubes after using SS (Belles, Anthem) for 2-3 years. I always wondered what was wrong with me. My listening sessions were maybe 5-6 songs, my ears were fatigued, and I’d want to go do something else.

I thought to myself, maybe I just don’t like listening to music as much as I thought. Perhaps I was one of those "audiophiles" that uses music to listen to their system as opposed to using their system to listen to music.

This all changed the moment I went to a local dealer that was playing my Kef speakers with Rogue gear. First the Pharoah, then the Cronus Magnum. The dealer agreed to let me take them both home to demo. First was the CM.

The moment I plugged it in and started listening I couldnt wipe the smile from my face. I was in awe. The music pulled me in, in a way I had never experienced before. I thought to myself for the first time, finally, now I have a hifi system.

Everything just sounded soooo musical. The mid range had this incredible fullness to it; I couldnt get over the amount of detail I was hearing; and the soundstaging was to die for. The change wasn’t vague or subtle either. Listening to Miles Davis - Kind of Blue on vinyl, I felt like I was practically in the studio with them.

I brought back the CM and brought home the Pharaoh a couple days later. Plugged it in, listened, and was like NOPE. I need those tubes back in my life.

It took me a few years in this crazy hobby to figure out what I like. Turns out I’m a tube guy!!! I placed an order for the new Rogue CM III and can’t wait for it to arrive.

I may keep the Belles around for a second system or an occasional listening session when I want the slam of SS. My advice would be to give the tubes a shot. You may be very surprised at what you’ve been missing out on the last 10 years.


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