2. amps-preamps
  3. 160876-151272

Desire to try tubes

So I am new to this have no audio contacts, and low budget it seems based on reading forum. I inherited my brothers Heresy I’s (and LP /CD collection) two years ago and started my journey. First bought a Rega P3 and Rega Fono stage running with existing 20 yo Denon 5.1. Then upgraded the Hereseys from Crites with crossovers and new tweeters (46 yo units). Months later after research and savings bought Stellar GCD and Stellar S 300 amp along with Syzygy SLF 870 sub from Underwoodwally. Nice! Next Marantz 6006 CD as transport and Underwood Emerald Physics and Core Power gold power cords and speaker cables. As able Audio Quest entry connects for all. Each move improved sound. Added a Bluesound node 2i as well only listening to Pandora though. I have no reference to options as I’ve only owned Hereseys and never heard a tube amp in a home and am very curious if a tube pre-amp would be a big plus? If I tried one could muster up to 5k. Just looking for the best sound quality I can afford.
Room is 14.6 x 14.10 x sloped ceiling 8-13’ with 5’ flat section at 13.
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scotttubenut
14 posts
 
Have you considered DIY? My current system consists of a Bottlehead BeePre 300B tube preamp with a Bottlehead Kaiju 300B power amp. This SET combo provides 8 watts, which would be fine with your high efficiency Heresy speakers. Bottlehead provides great instructions and tech support, which essentially guarantees a successful build experience. I really enjoy the sound, and with your budget you could also build a Bottlehead Eros 2, a really great upgrade to your phono preamplifier. 

For ready built gear another company I would recommend that you consider is PrimaLuna. For under $5K you could get one of their higher end integrateds or go for separates. The PrimaLuna amps are based on the sweet sounding EL34 tube and would provide more power over the SET setup above, opening more options for speakers should you decide to upgrade those in the future. I owned a PrimaLuna Evo 300 and was quite pleased with it until I got into SET and DIY.


jwlaff
39 posts
 
Quicksilver Audio has an integrated tube amp for $2000.  20 watts per channel.  Looks nice. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,783 posts
 
@jwlaff -- I’ve heard that Quicksilver integrated with Dynaudio 84 db sensitivity speakers; it’s a great value and its 20 watts kicks more butt than one can imagine. Watts aren’t everything, and the quality of the Quicksilver build proves that.

@jjss49 listed great used options worth serious consideration. (Nice to see people posting things they *don’t* own as options for the OP.)
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bigwave1
222 posts
 
Like Raven, don’t overlook Decware that offers excellent sound and value, plenty of posts on their site. They sell direct. 
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skypunk
499 posts
 
Think you need to hold your breath and wait millercarbon, wait, wait, wait, yep here it will never come.

Fact is I did post about my Blackhawk experience and you even responded. But then I was attack by James and Dave at Raven and asked the moderator to take it down.

So you owe me an apology.

Don’t get me wrong I enjoy coming here for information....not so much from shills.

I only have 116 posts because I have a life and would rather spend it with my family than reading your post and listening to you bloviate.


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