My foray into tube amps started in the late 1980’s with an Audio Research D-90B. It was a wonderful amp, but not as clean sounding as the more recent versions. Over the years I owned 6 or 7 different Audio Research power amps, most recently the Reference 75. I have never had a problem with any of the Audio Research gear I owned, including pre amps and phono amps. The Reference 75 was clean sounding across the sound spectrum. It would remiss of me not to suggest researching their amps. And, if I recall, all of them had been loved by a previous owner. In my experience, they make great equipment.
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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@pindac Wow! And I thought I was about to go down a rabbit hole! Other candidates on USAudioMart:
That's the used market. I haven't spoken to Aric at Aric Audio yet. So those are my real-world choices at this time. I'd appreciate any comments on prioritizing this list. Thanks. Again, this thread has been immensely helpful. |
Of your list of used candidates, I would select the A40. That is a warm sounding amp that is also a very lively and vivid integrated amp that also has a good built-in DAC. I do not know of a better bargain in tube amps. I own a custom linestage and power amp combination that I can sell used for around $100k. While the A40 is not that good, I could easily live with the A40 instead if I had to; it is that good. |
@treepmeyer - another option is to get more efficient speakers so can run lower watt tube amps - might be less expensive than trying and rolling higher powered amps. I have both - a medium powered SS system driving 87db speakers, and a second system with100db speakers to discover tube midrange magic starting with flea watt SET amps. |
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