Getting into Tube Equipment

The amps used in the Grateful Dead's "Wall of Sound" were MacIntosh MC-2300 SS units.  Jerry continued to use the MC-2300 amps for a while after the "Wall" was retired.  For a short time in '72 he used MC3500 tube amps for his guitar signal before he switched over to the more powerful and reliable MC-2300s.

I first started my foray into tube amps by restoring an old Fisher (400?). It sounded amazing and since this was my first and only experience with tubes it is what I grew to love. It has a very warm glow and sounds very warm. It takes the edge of CDs really well.

I've since moved on to the Cayin a-55t, still warm but resolves more of the music I think. Still searching for the right speakers - I was using Wharfedale Diamond 220's that I loved but found a brand new pair of Monitor Audio Silver for a third of the list price as the place was going out of business. Still breaking them in as they sound a bit bright to me (still).

I use a Lavry DAC DA-10 DAC in my living room system (Rotel and B&W based) and the Lavry is an incredibel DAC. I didn't want to spend as much for my office system which is where I have the Cayin and bought a Musical Fidelity V90 which sounds good but not as good. 

If you only listen to vinyl then a DAC doesn't matter, if you listen to CD a good DAC make a really Big difference. The Cayin a-55t is hard to find I got mine for $800 so if you see one grab it is all I can say. I have a Jolida 102B amp that I was using before. The Cayin uses EL34 output tubes and the Jolida EL 84. I think think the EL34 sounds a little closer to the Fisher than the EL 84 sound. It was hard for me to believe that different tubes make a difference but by trial and error I have found this to be true. Good luck with your search - so many options - so little money to chase after them all! Regards

I will second the top marks review on the Pro-Ject DS2.  For me it's Rega P3 into the Pro-Ject and then into tube pre-amp/headphone amp and power amp.  (I use DecWare CSP3 for phones/pre, and Line Magnetic 218 for power).  Love this rig.  Only gripe is the single speed of the P3 so I can't play 45s. Maybe have to upgrade to the external power supply... https://www.stevenzeller.com/stereo/2 https://www.stevenzeller.com/stereo/3

Indeed, the Pro-ject DS2 is excellent !

@atmasphere "I’ve never heard that sort of sound from any Dyna!"

Given you keep active on this site, it surprises me to hear that. It’s become the preponderant current criticism. Someone just made that statement here on Audiogon in the past week.

I do agree an EL34 tubed amplifier veers toward the more engaging side. Still, though I prefer more of a flesh and blood sound than a lot of modern amplifiers provide, with the carbon composition resistors, I still find it too lush.

Interestingly enough, the guitar industry has gone in the other direction. The massive swell in the vintage and boutique amplifier market illustrates how those folks bought into the sound of days past. It’s grown large enough companies like Fender have introduced reissues of their mid-late 50’s amplifiers, and become their most profitable offerings. I made a friend near my home who makes a decent living giving the guitar crowd that sought after "tone". As we’ve talked a lot over the past decade, the route to produce that sound comes down to replacing the modern metal film and metal oxide resistors with the carbon comps of old. Of course, retro coupling caps don’t hurt, either.

The historic criticisms of the ST70 lie in response at the frequency extremes, particularly the low-end, and overall power. Oh, and the fact that folks found them ugly. The SET renaissance renders the lack of power no longer a concern. And as I’ve stated, the low-end comes down to implementation, mostly related to keeping costs down at the time. For an investment of less than $20, one can ST70 seriously dial up the slam, and produce bass no worse than any modern two output tube per channel amplifier.

We’ve landed on the same place with you replacing the 7199 and 6AN8 phase splitter / driver tubes with 12AU7. Replacing the pentode - triode with a double triode eliminates circuitry, and improves both operation and sonics (again, always moving toward the simplicity pointed by the SET example), with no detriment on any level. I actually prefer the 6SN7, but to keep the original overall landscape, the 12AU7 represents the best alternative. For those who want a completed amplifier along these lines, and don’t want to get involved with kits or having to keep a soldering iron handy, the Audio Van Alstine Ultraverve makes a good (and mostly correct) choice as a current ST70 implementation using the 12AX7. To bring some real elegance on the sonic and aesthetic fronts, the Jadis Orchestra / Orchestra Reference also use the 12AX7 in a Dynaco implementation, and more than provide that