Galion Audio…..super quality and value off the charts. I don’t know your speaker sensitivity. They also offer a free return window.
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.
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@treepmeyer - When an OP states " but I have no experience with tubes ", my post is relevant; it might just keep you with a roof over your head and avoid a fight with an insurance company, where they will win. When I was first very interested in tube amplification, EAR was the Brand that was most impressive to me out of the common offerings in retailers in the UK during the 90's, I found myself at that time of my Journey in having an audio enthusiasm, to not be able to wed to Single-End design amps. Push-Pull designs had my full attention.. I went my own route and had a Valve Power Amp custom built for me, and not too long after had a custom-produced valve pre-amp. This evolved into having custom-produced Valve Power monoblocks, which are still in use today. It is the custom build route that informed me of being vigilant. A Sales Rep is certainly not going to state anything that removes a closed-won from being achieved!!! Today, as well as over the past few years, I have been listening to EAR Valve Power Amps from the 2010 era and also their most current design. I am still very contented when sitting in front of EAR amplification. Also today, I can listen to LDA Valve Power Amplification, which are SE 300b design, and I am familiar with the 211 design. LDA Amplification is very high quality and should be on any shortlist along with EAR. For a rarity in the UK, I have been able to listen to the VAC (Phi Beta 110i) and the later model that superseded this. In the systems heard with these amps, I remain of the view the EAR and LDA are more to my liking as an off-the-shelf purchase option. I am very familiar with a broad range of Vintage Amps produced in different countries, and do very much like the Sansui AU111. The AU 111, when sympathetically tube rolled, is an awesome experience to be sat in front of; it impresses just as the EAR and LDA can. Disclaimer: None of the amps being referenced by me are ones that are excluded from my content in my first post; being vigilant is always advised and is a 'must' !!! |
Hi , I have tube mono’s as I like tubes. Going from a Gan amp to tubes is a big change in direction. Your short list is a good starting point. Personally I lean towards too much power over not enough. In regards to the Quicksilver I’d consider the KT monos too. I have zero experience with your speakers and I can’t give a direct recommendation. I’d consider contacting dealers that sell your speakers and ask what they would recommend. Second I’d contact places like Quicksilver and Aric and ask what’s a good match for your speakers. FWIT I run mostly NOS input and driver tubes and current production power tubes. And as mentioned above I’d definitely try to get some gear to demo at home. I have Rogue gear and it leans towards the SS side on tone and some of the amps you listed are more liquid sounding. I also rotate a SS amp into my system and if you like your Peachtree amp I’d recommend keeping it for later. Happy Hunting , Mike B. |
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