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Tubes vs Tubeless

Hi,

Very, very (did I say "very") new to this adventure. I had a nice lower end, high end system 30 years ago and life got in the way and I had to part with that system. I now have a basic set up with a Belles Aria integrated amp with Vandersteen 2ce Signature speakers and a Linn DAC with a basic turntable.

I'm thinking of an upgrade and going full in on a dac system and leaving the vinyl to the side. I love albums but my collection is not huge, I'm getting older and I enjoy the simplicity of streaming music at the touch of a fingertip.

I have never owned a system with tubes and read in one of the forums about the Aric Audio systems and it really piqued my interest.

So, the question is, will there be a considerable difference in sound quality with a tube system of the Aric quality paired with a DAC or is the tube system a better advantage with vinyl?

Thank you

bahston
tuberist
1,004 posts
 

Check out my system…Weiss 501 direct into an Aric Transcend Push Pull tube amp. I stream Qobuz through the JPlay app. True to life tone and fantastic imaging.

Good luck

Larry

bahston OP
30 posts
 

Thank you, nice and simple set up.

 

My room is 11’ X 14’.

pureclarity
91 posts
 

The belles has tube like sound for a solid state amp. Plus it has the current capacity. I heard a vac amp with the vandy’s compared to the belles at Johnny R shop and they sounded pretty close to me 

bigkidz
3,504 posts
 

I would at least call John Rutan at Audio Connection in NJ - deep experience in pairing that work well driving  Vandy 2 variants.

John currently has tube mono blocks on the 2's in the showroom right now.

Quicksilver I believe.

I do have a business connection to John and I am also a happy customer.

He knows how to make Vandersteen speakers sing.

 

retiredaudioguy
285 posts
 

The VTL IT 85 is a pretty good tube integrated.  I used one for a number of years and now my daughter has this with Audio Physic Virgo speakers.  They are probably available on the used market place.

Alternatively the Pass Labs XA 25 is the least SS sounding SS amp.

Another crazy thought, build an Elekit TU-8900!  I have built an 8900 and an 8600 and they are rather good.  They have a volume control so if you are using only a single source that is all you need.  $1595 + tubes.  I have used one to drive 87dB speakers OK, and my 2nd system, with a DMP A8 and P3ESRs has that (with 2A3s) as its amp.

There are many integrated streamer/DAC/preamps available, e.g. Eversolo DMP A8 or A10, that plus a Power Amp can make a good sounding setup with minimal fuss. 

Good luck.

 

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