Good Multi channel tube amp for $1000


Hello all.

This is my first post to the gon, but I’ve reading just about every single thread for the past 2 months. I plan on making some steps into mid-fi/hi-fi next year. I’m planning on buying the Outlaw 990 to replace my pioneer receiver and upgrade my speakers soon after (I currently have wharfdale mfm 3 front’s and advent surrounds) . I was hoping I could get some recommendations on a multi channel 7.1 tube amp for around 1000 dollars. I could go solid state but I like to try tubes at this level before venturing further. The rig will be used for 50/50 movies, music. Music tastes are pretty diverse classical, jazz, rock ETC.
tfrostydasnowman

Showing 1 response by steuspeed

A $1000 dollars for anything decent with 7ch of power is a tall order. Even 5ch is tough to find anything in your budget.

Movies lean a lot on dynamic power and this is where tubes tend to struggle. Big tube amps do better, but that will be well beyond your budget.

If you want to play with tubes I would keep your Pioneer and buy a hybrid or all tube integrated and see how you like it.

I would not recommend mixing amps on your home theater rig. You want the same amps and speakers all the way around for the most seamless presentation. Buy a pre/processor with home theater pass-through and add a tube amp that you can switch wires on your front channels when you want tube sound.

Another idea is to find a manufacture that made/makes mini or mono amps that sound similar to bigger amps in their line. Buy the big one for L/R and the other amps for surround or center channel. This way you can build a system starting from stereo -> 3ch, 5ch & 7ch as budget allows for additional speakers and amps. The Jolida was a good suggestion. A solid state example; look for McCormack DNA series and add McCormack Micro Line Drive amps (switchable stereo or mono) for surround and center channel.