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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
jallan's avatar
jallan
414 posts
 

Audio Research Reference 75’s are now showing up for $4K used or so. The challenge with this generation of Audio Research is that if a tube goes it usually takes out a resistor, so needs technician work if you are not handy. No auto biasing either.

After being a C-J tube amp owner for 30 years (and moved on) I am often tempted to get back into the tube amp game. I may still bite on the right AR Reference 75SE…

apanhc
17 posts
 

My relatively limited, but clear experience with tube amps shows that some modern tube amps sound almost exactly like solid state, and some people say that this is because of "modern sound" approach. Without sounding critical I would delete particularly Primaluna from your list, because to my ears this is exactly the case. I'm absolutely satisfied with my Unison Research tube amplifier in this respect.

inagroove
262 posts
 

As others suggest, work to audition each in your system (even if you need to pay for s/h and restocking).

My experience is limited to current McIntosh mono amps, which I heard at a dealer during a speaker demo.  The entire system was McIntosh, driving 50k SF speakers.  

I was disappointed in the sound, to say the least.  After two minutes I expressed concerns about the electronics (not the speakers).  The salesperson confessed that he knew the McIntosh line-up was no match for great speakers (his words), but McI were the only electronics that he had a the time.  

On the other side, McI has a fan base and retains re-sale value.  

 

Good luck,

 

bruce19
354 posts
 

Since you are in the US, Rogue is a brand worth a look.

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
744 posts
 

I second the Aric Audio suggestion, he custom makes amp for people and will be able to make a recommendation for you. I’ve had an amp he makes on order since March, it is build to my requests to suit my situation. Transcend Push Pull.

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