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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
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treepmeyer OP
167 posts
 

@avanti1960 Thanks for your comments about the benefits of a preamp or integrated.  The RME UCX II provides preamp functionality, including volume control, multiple source selection (both analog and digital) - and selectable gain levels.  Consequently, to get the tube sound I thought I had to focus on a tube power amp.  However, if most of the tube effect comes from a tube preamp section then an integrated amp, possibly hybrid, might be my best bet.

At the risk of displaying my ignorance, the UCX manual states that audio line out gain is selectable at +19dBu, +13dBu and +4dBu.  I don’t know if that would help with my 87dB Stirlings.  
 

@pindac I, too, am a fan of the newer class D amps.  But I just didn’t think I could get sound I’m after without going the tube route.  Maybe I’m wrong.  Presence, envelopment, warmth along with precision.

@elliottbnewcombjr Maybe part of my problem is that my LS3/6 are undersized for my room, as you seem to be saying- or that the combination of my room size with desired tube amplification does not work well with 87dB speakers.  Ugh.

Anyway, these comments are very helpful.  Thanks.

slaw's avatar
slaw
26,476 posts
 

Check out Quicksilver 

wolf_garcia
6,891 posts
 

My Dennis Had tube amp is simply fun (efficient speakers required). Allows me to experiment with all sorts of tubes and sounds great with pretty much any of them. Besides, there's simply some life force there that boring SS amps don't seem to have. Note however that I rotate my Had amp with an arguably boring looking Pass XA-25 when the mood requires that, so SUE ME. Tubes in my Schiit Freya are always there so I'm always tubey (or not tubey...is that a question?).

treepmeyer OP
167 posts
 

@slaw There are two Quicksilver 88 monoblocs on USAudio at good prices $2800).  One come with an extra set of KT88 tubes.  They look interesting.

A Synthesis A40 integrated for $4800

A Pass XA25 for $4000.

A Rogue Chronos for $3800

A Galion TS120 for $3500 CAD

A CJ MV60 with kt120 tubes for 2150

A McIntosh MC275 MK6 for $5300

Quite a few good choices in the used market

 

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