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Help me get started again. Tube amp...

I had a full on audio addiction up until about 10 years ago when my first child entered the world and my priorities changed.

Now as my kids are spending more time with their friends and in activities I find my time at home wishing I had a system to appreciate.

Luckily I still have some little Stirling Broadcast LS3/5a V2 tucked in a corner, a nice little passive preamp stored in a drawer and a sudden CD player that has been playing Disney music faithfully.

I need pair a tube amp and I may even get some Vinyl.

My first little tube amps (which I sold here and wish I still had them) were VTL tiny triodes (the late version) and then I had fun playing with all kinds of ST-70 circuits.  The VTL was better but rolling up my sleeves and redoing the ST-70s was great.

Since I have been out so long I have no clue what is what.  I could use some direction for a lower priced tube amp to get me started.

It was recommended to me to look for Audion 300B Silver Knight mono-blocks or Rogers E-20 or E-40 amps from Doug Stirling.  Finding these is perhaps not as easy in good working order and at a cost I like.

Any thoughts on how to best start up my addiction again?
portlandlay
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Priced too high now.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,412 posts
 
I sold my RM-200 in 2015 (not 2014 as I incorrectly stated above) for $2000 (hope my post above wasn't the impetus for the seller raising his price!) only because I found a Mk. 2 version for $2500. The Mk.2 provides a worthwhile improvement for the extra $500, for anyone looking for an RM-200. Really good value in a tube power amp imo.
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
Really good value in a tube power amp imo.


Eric - true, but when I think value, I tend to think $$ value. MR amps go beyond with a very well thought out design - including very long tube life. How do you put a price on that ?

Speaking for my local area, Roger's amps have quite the reputation. They are rare here. I wouldn't sell my hot rodded RM9 for anything. I was curious and considered this one for a friend that has heard my modded RM9.

Q) How do you know when you have a special piece ?

A) When the very respected amplifier hot rodder, that you are asking to hotrod your amp, wants to buy the piece off you.



grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
The condition of the amp is OK at best if you look closely at the pics. It is an MKI, not II, and it is only getting older. Perhaps it will sell for $2000?  I paid far less for an upgraded RM9 3 years ago. Good amp, but built on a circuit board with the tube sockets also on the board. This is not the ideal way to build an amp. I do much prefer point to point. 
portlandlay OP
62 posts
 
It might make sense just to get an St70 so I can play with different circuits.  I really had fun doing that before.  I know that an St70 will never sound great but enjoyable anyway.

I was never able to get it to sound as good as my VTL Tiny Triodes.  But it was fun trying.
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