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First foray into tube amps

I just read the thread on McIntosh and it has prompted me to start this thread.  I would like to try a tube power amp, but I have no experience with tubes.  For now, at least, I am pretty well settled on the rest of my system: Stirling LS3/6 speakers with dual SVS 3000 micro subs, Node 130 streamer with PD Creative/LHY power and English Eight switch, Bacch4Mac crosstalk elimination and DSP, RME Fireface dac/interconnect.  I’ll be replacing a Peachtree Gan1.  The room is 23x16x8 and is well treated.  I listen at low to moderate volumes, lots of vocals, blues, Argentine Tango, some classic rock.  I love that BBC mid-range magic, and think I want a little more warmth than I have now - but without giving up any precision or detail.  I find very analytical high end reproduction to be unpleasant, though.  On the low end, I dislike mushiness.  I really like bass details without slam - think of Holly Cole’s Train Song listening to those bass transients tail off.

So, I think that some tube amps might fit the bill and are within budget (say $5,000).  Here is my provisional short list: McIntosh MC275 MK6, Conrad Johnson MV60SE, Quicksilver Mid-Monos or 88 Monos, PrimaLuna Evo 300 or 400.  There are many others, and I’d welcome suggestions. I can’t tell if these or some other amp would likely have better synergy with my speakers/room/music preferences.  I realize that I may need to try several amps to find which one sounds best to me - but where to start?  Many thanks.

treepmeyer
dacpin
24 posts
 

I have been given advice by professional Tube equipment builders from my earliest D)... ays of Tube equipment ownership that Tube equipment should not be left unattended. 

I have followed that advice for 30 years + and have not had a experience like some reports I have seen with Tube equipment failure and the unwanted outcome.

If one is a sit in front of a system for 90%+ of a Audio session, then Tubes will be worthwhile experiencing with the intent to own. 

Thinking Tubes are Power On and not express vigilance, is not a good approach, risk comes with this approach. Unwanted occurrences will not be dealt. Unwanted incidents are not to be captured with urgency when one is not present. 

I have been shot down on the Gon in the past for broaching on this subject.

The  search to learn more about safety aspects should be sought beyond the Gon to get a more informed info.

Note: I and a group of friends who are audio enthusiasts for a similar time, we are all default valve equipment users.

 

treepmeyer OP
167 posts
 

@dacpin thank you but perhaps you answered the wrong thread.  I did not ask about the safety aspect of leaving a tube rig on.  I asked about selecting a tube power amp.  I would appreciate your opinion on that question.  Whichever one I get I'll take you advice on leaving it on under consideration.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,449 posts
 

I think in most of these cases, given the context you’ve provided - tubes will provide the mid-range magic you seek. You’ll usually give up some bass slam and add in some slight "bloom" in that frequency range, with tubes - how much comes down to the specific amp and speakers. But I rather like the net effect of a good strong tube amp on bass. Treble on tube amps is typically nice airy smooth and sweet - no rolloff, no problems (like with some SS amps being aggressive, etched or splashy).

Where to start? Just start. Period. Avoid a severe mismatch (unlikely based on your options), pick what strikes your fancy, and start learning about how YOU react to tubes :) All those tube amps will sound a bit different, and rolling tubes further multiplies the variations. But they’ll all sound like tubes, and this should be quite distinct from SS.

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