WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?


My system consists of the following

Integrated Amp. - Hegel H160

Speakers – Fritz Carbon 7

Dac – Denafrips Venus II

Server- Innous Zenith MK3

Turntable – Rega RP8

Cartridge- Hana ML

Phono Pre – Icon Audio PS1 MKII

Power Conditioner – Puritan PSM156

 

I stream most of my music, listen to everything from 60’s rock to blues and Jazz.  My system as it currently exists sounds pretty good.  My wife thinks it sound great.  My main complaint with the existing system is it is still a little bright and I do experience some listener fatigue. 

I am considering another upgrade.  I have always had solid state integrated amplifiers. I am considering tube integrated amplifiers.  My budget is 7 to 10K.  If you have gone from SS to Tube, what did you buy?  What was the most striking difference out of the box and 300 hours in?  Did you keep the speakers you had?

I am not completely sure that a tube amp. is what my system needs.  I thought speakers could also make a difference.  So, I am considering adding Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 Graphene to my current system.  If anyone would like to give me their impression of them I would greatly appreciate it.  I have read that they pair well with Hegel Amps.   

I have had the Carbon7’s since 2013.  I like them a lot.  I had also purchased Fritz’s Carrera 7Be.  I sold them because I did not like beryllium tweeters, I thought I would, but I did not.  BTW Fritz is a class act.

Ag insider logo xs@2xjili12

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

Can the room handle larger 3 way speakers?

IF so, I recommend you 1st change speakers, 3 way, more efficient, at least 90 sensitivity.

Your existing equipment might sound terrific and NOT fatiguing. with different speakers.

Tubes are wonderful sounding, my preference, however it is a dance between speaker’s efficiency and ’enough’ power for sudden demanding bursts.

If you find a horn speaker with high efficiency you like, you can use less power, but caution, not too little.

IF your room cannot handle a bigger speaker, I have a compact 3 way suggestion based on recent experience.

compact 3 way AR-2ax, 91 sensitivity, size: 11.5 deep; 13 wide; 24 long. and fully restore them (or have them restored, or pay more for a fully restored pair. Big asset: built-in level controls for the tweeter and the mid-range so you can adjust them to your space.

I bought a pair, for nostalgic reasons, was going to use them in the shop. bought 250. ship 250, parts capacitors, 4 new level controls, 2 new tweeters 250, total 750.

They sound soo good I moved them to my office, driving with little luxman 10wpc tube amp. So good I just bought a 2nd pair for the shop, restoring them now, just need capacitors for crossover and 4 level controls. Larger room I would want at least 30 wpc, preferably 45 wpc range.

Tube amps: less needed power has many advantages: less initial cost; smaller size; less heat; more placement options; consider line of sight if remote, less replacement tubes cost (they last 10,000 hrs, for me 14 years, so if you replace them every 7 years, it’s no big deal.

Anyone going tubes, I recommend buying a simple tube tester of your own.

If you can see my virtual systems, I show the AR-2ax restoration there.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/10092

bigger efficient horns with 45wpc tubes here

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9511

 

 

anyone curious about the AR-2ax is more than welcome to come see/hear mine. Plainfield, nj 07062

come soon, see the innards of the second pair I am restoring.