2. amps-preamps
  3. 125918-86283

Looking for my first tube amplifier, help appreciated.

Greetings everybody, old school audio gear head here just deciding to begin the search for my first tube amplifier. I am running a Denon DN-A7100 preamp (xlr outputs), a Rotel RB981 on my Chane A3rx-c mains (8 ohm speakers crossed at 80hz), NAD 216 THX bridged on my JL Audio 13w3v3 8 ohm subwoofer in a sealed enclosure (also crossed at 80hz by the Denon).

I have over 300 gigs of wave file CD audio and enjoy everything from new rock to the Beatles.

I am looking to upgrade my system, of course one piece at a time, and really want to start with a tube amp. As a former guitarist I am a big fan of tube amplification so want to give it a whirl on my home stereo.

I was looking at the Audio Research VS60 but it doesn’t have XLR inputs. I enjoy high volumes so am trying to go with as much power as I can for my hard earned dollar. Yes, if money was no object I would drop 10k on a class A monster but that’s not gonna happen lol.

So I am hoping for some recommendations for a reliable and great sounding tube amplifier that has AT LEAST 50w per channel, has XLR inputs and is priced under $2000 on the used market. All recommendations are appreciated, thanks so much! Mike

128x128growboxguy
Post removed 
growboxguy's avatar
growboxguy OP
5 posts
 

Input sensitivity/impedance (volume at 0db)

(RCA connections)     220mV/20 ohms

(XLR) +4dBu   440 mV/20kohms

           -10dBV   110 mV/20 kohms

Output Level volume at 0db

     (+4dBu)   300 mVrms typ.

     (-10dbV)   75 mVrms typ.


mesch
3,394 posts
 
The spec you are looking for is the output impedance of your pre. The input impedance of a audio device (in this case the amplifier) should be at least 10x (some say 20x) that of the device feeding it (your pre). 

Given your budget, I am with mattmiller in the suggestion of considering an integrated. 

As steakster indicated, research the compatibility of your speakers with tube amplification regarding impedance curve. Most 8 ohm speakers dip below 4 ohms somewhere in the lower frequencies. 

soix
8,636 posts
 
If you're going to upgrade your whole system you should start with the speakers as they will largely dictate what your amp choices are. 

scar972
217 posts
 
I'm with soix, why not start upgrading the speakers first, this is your most important piece.
When upgrading I start backward in the audio chain, speakers, amp, preamp, then sources.
More to discover