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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
batman57
4 posts
 

I would start with a Willsenton R8. After you have listened for a while then roll the 4 main power tubes to Electro Harmonics KT-88’s, or PSVane KT-88’s. Next would be to roll the input section of the amp. I run Sylvania 6SL7GT X 2 and Sylvania 6SN7G. Finally I upgraded to PSVANE CV181-T. 

One advantage to the R8 is that it is an integrated amplifier saving you from purchasing a seperate pre. It also has a remote control.

I have now moved on to a VTA ST-120 that I built and a VTA SP14 preamp also that I built. 

It is a deep rabbit hole….

The R8 is available on Amazon, so check it out. If you don’t like it, return it.

paradisecom
503 posts
 

For me, I'd look at the following additions to your list:

Decware Zen Torii (Due to a 2-3 year wait-time on builds, keep an eye out for a used unit.)

Cary CAD-120S MKII (Slightly over budget, but they do go on sale periodically.)

Rogue Atlas Magnum or Cronos Magnum.  (Similar, but the Cronos is the integrated amp version.)

wolf_garcia
6,891 posts
 

Rogers High Fidelity are among the best tube amps out there. Powerful Class A hand wired masterpieces, lifetime warranty. I use efficient speakers so I can get away with a Dennis Had SEP at 12 watts pc or something, but Rogers have always impressed me. 

musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349
311 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr mentioned a potential issue with speakers of 87db sensitivity and tube amplification. I've a pair of Acoustat 1+1's that have a mere 83db sensitivity, and passive sub, i.e. no internal amp, that I power quite satisfactorily with an ARC VS-110 tube amplifier. 

Now then, the 1+1's aren't known for punching holes in walls with slam, but the resolution and dynamics are really quite good. 

As for being advised that valve equipment not be left alone, that advice could be given for any sort of consumer electronics...

Happy listening.

larryi
4,574 posts
 

I can understand why you are looking to use the DAC volume control and avoid a linestage or integrated amp.   On paper, most sources have sufficient gain so a linestage is not needed.  However, even if additional gain is not needed, most systems sound better with a line stage or an integrated amp.  Without this seemingly superfluous additions, systems tend to sound a bit polite and "blah."  The great thing about tubes is how lively the sound is compared to solid state at lower volume levels; that is best preserved with the added stages.

I suggest looking at amps that run the EL84 power tube.  These tubes work very well in lower cost amplifiers and should deliver enough power for your music preference and speakers.  I personally like the 6L6 tube and KT66 tube (similar to 6L6) but there are fewer amps made using those tubes.  I think this is the case because an amp built to run these tubes can probably be made to run higher powered tubes and power is something you can market more easily. But, to me these tubes are the ones to focus on for good sound quality.

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