2. amps-preamps
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New To Tubes & Direct Wadia to Tube Amp

I currently run a Wadia 850 direct to a Jeff Rowland Model 2, with balanced XLR interconnects. I have been thinking about purchasing a tube amp to check out the differences. I would greatly appreciate some advice on the following questions: (1) Do you recommend against a direct Wadia 850 to tube amp connection, where the tube amp is unlikely to be balanced? (2) Do you think there will be an improvement in sound with a tube amp over the Jeff Rowland Model 2, assuming a good quality amp? (3) What amps do you recommend. I have been considering everything from a used Audio Prism Debut to Quicksilver Silver 60 Monos, to the Kora Jupiter to the Audio Research V100MKII, to Sound Valve, to the Audio Electronic Supply Superamp. As you can see, I am all over the board and lost, having absolutely no experience with tubes. (4) What are your thoughts on tube mono amps versus stereo amps? (5) Is auto bias adjustment a good thing or a bad thing? My speakers are fairly efficient at 90db / 8 ohms/ I greatly appreciate your input.
128x128nathanu
piezo
304 posts
 
I listented to a Wdia 850 direct through an audio research VT 100 mk II and it was wonderful. I also listened to the 850 through a Pass Labs SS amp during the same session and the tube amp seemed smoother on the top end.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I have a 850 running through a BAT VK60. Great combo. This amp is different than the ARC VT100. Depends on speakers that you have which may be better for you. The BAT is killer in my system. IMHO, use the balanced outs in the Wadia with a fully balanced amp, it helps...and you paid for it with the Wadia, might as well use it. BTW: If you spend a ton of $$'s, a preamp does help the Wadia, but it's not cost effective. I'm using a BAT VK50SE now, started with the Wadia only...
blbloom
286 posts
 
Maybe the 850 is much better than the 830, but I own an 830, and while I love it, I have heard it direct into many amps (Bryston, Classe, Krell, Music Reference RM200, Moon W5)it is just not as good as with a preamp. Not even close.
randalleron
63 posts
 
i run my 850 directly into a pair of cj's perm. 12 amps (wltraliner, generally using 6550's. but i have experimented with kt90s). as cj does not incorporate balanced in/outputs, evenrything is connected via rca. i'm really, really happy. your choice of amp should depend, in part, upon your speakers (that is to say, it's power output should adequatly drive your speakers). in terms of blbloom's commnets, i was origionally shopping for an 830, but found a great deal on an 850 and snapped it up. there is a big difference between the two. they're both really well made and extremely musical machines. but i'm not at all surprised to learn that they behave differently when used with and without a preamp. by the way, bias adjust is a good thing. in short (and wihtout a lot of techincal explination, which is generally lost on my pea brain), it allows you to bias each tube (or each side) individually to get maximum performance. and you needn't worry about buying matched sets (but i still do). good luck. randy
nathanu's avatar
nathanu OP
93 posts
 
Thank you for your comments. Randalleron,what interconnects are you using.
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