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
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
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- 58 posts total
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.
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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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Those speakers 86 db sensitivity, I would go for tube preamp, SS amp. I took a chance on a McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp, I’ve never been/could not be happier. I had Audio Classics refurb it, including new gold plated RCA jack panels, they have one certified ready to go it seems: https://www.audioclassics.com/detail?detail=MX110 Someone on this site has a nice looking one for sale, with a wood case https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbgedg-mcintosh-mx110z-tube?refsource=hifishark# This is why I took a chance on one https://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm manual I use a Chase RLC-1 Remote Line Controller for remote volume/mute/balance
here's mine, I am able to use a tube amp with my highly efficient horn speakers |
In your position (small room) I would look into replacing the speakers and not the amplifier. Never cared for Vandersteen mated with Audio Research tube gear "which seems to be the Gold standard in the Los Angles area" but I once listened to 3A Sig’s mated with an old STASIS Nakamichi receiver that sounded much better than any of the Van/ARC demos I attended with the 3A’s and 5’s.
DeKay |
- 58 posts total