Check out Quicksilver
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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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?). |
@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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@treepmeyer I can't 100% offer reassurance about the Class D amp I have signed up for, as a custom build is a direct replacement for a Valve Amp. What I can say is that a SS Power Amp I was first introduced to before COVID times and one that I have been very impressed with. Even instrumental in a group of individuals becoming owners of it, inclusive of the person having produced the Class D design, as an Amp was thought of as my last Amp used. I do project a day when the Valves will be powered off permanently. The SS Power Amp referred to is a Neurochrome of which I have heard it produced in all available builds, inclusive of custom designs for it. The individual visited is the designer/builder of audio items I use, and I have been invited to their home on numerous occasions to loan my ears to assist with subjectively assessing prototypes through to end design models. I missed a few early invites due to work-life issues being demanding, and more recently a concerning health issue floored me. During convalescence, I kept an eye out for an opportunistic visit, when strength was regained, which was recently achieved. My most recent visit was not to be introduced to something for sale, as the new amp design is a personal build. I was being social, catching up, enjoying a few tracks from an Analogue Source and sharing a Lunch together. Within all of this, a custom design Neurochrome that has been in use for a reasonable period of time was the first amp put into service. Being an Amp I know so well, I was not feeling the need to have my ears switched on and analysing; just relaxing into a few tracks was the intention. An SS Pre that I brought along was added, and a few tracks later the verbal introduction to the Class D Amp was given, and how the circuitry was thought through as the design intent. All above my Pay Grade, but enough stated to ensure the design was intended to be more than the usual designs seen. The volume of discards alone through extreme accuracy of channel matching was what I recollect the most. As stated, from the first few notes and vocal release, the N'chrome, even though highly impressive, was in my assessment bettered by an Amp that leaned towards my interests. A few more tracks and I was sure my already committing to have one produced was bang on as a decision. I was in a position to ask for a home loan, but knew instinctively my own Source Items would work in with this Amp in an admirable way. Maybe I don't need a SS Power Amp that is a like-for-like substitution off a Power Amp. That will only be proven through a home loan or when the new build done for me arrives home. Where I am totally confident is where I know I have been introduced to an Amp, I am compelled to own. Especially an amp that superseded other amps that made a good impression. I now know I am to receive an amp I can thoroughly enjoy as a SS Amp and an alternative to long term used Valve amp's. I can sell an idling quad of 845's and nearly meet the new amp's BOM. A friend who has started a Business producing chassis for audio equipment that are a very attractive design has offered to produce my case for this Amp. None of these recent encounters and new learning would have happened if I did not get out into the world of audio and spend time sharing in the work others are undertaking. None of my audio experience for the last 30 years could have been so valuable if I stayed at home with magazines and then the online side of media creation. The Link is a Thread I started a few years back to inform others of an opportunity to be social and introduced to different audio equipment. I don't know if the events being put on, have been maintained? https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/very-very-interesting-nyc-venue-and-meeting-place
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