Any thoughts on this tube pre amp?

wutadumsn23
wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
edited August 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Just curous, no knowledge in this area, but trying to get a 2 ch. rig up and running. Thoughts?

-Jeff

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ele/1700046908.html
HT Rig
Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
Center- Polk Audio CS2
Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


2 CH rig (in progress)
Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
Post edited by wutadumsn23 on
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Comments

  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited April 2010
    :D:D
    And here I thought you were stuck on the 565

    Good on you :p

    TUBES RULE!
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    LOL, just keeping my options open, it does look like a nice pre amp, and like you said....TUBES RULE!!

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • virtualdean
    virtualdean Posts: 286
    edited April 2010
    wutadumsn23 wrote: »
    Just curous, no knowledge in this area, but trying to get a 2 ch. rig up and running. Thoughts?

    -Jeff

    http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ele/1700046908.html

    just a comment: Recently there were a bunch of new Chinese Magic Angel tube amps on Ebay for sale, direct from Hong Kong.
    I was considering the 65wpc kt88 MA amp for 600 bucks..but 200 bucks shipping and unknown customer service...I couldn't find any reviews. I passed.:)
    My eyes are open though. Its a cheap(er) way of getting into tubes.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited April 2010
    Music Angel/ Angle specs
    link with some more pics:
    http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/Music%20Angle%20-%20Marantz-7.html

    Input Power 110V-240V AVAILABLE
    Frequency Respond 10Hz ~ 40KHz+/-1dB
    Input voltage 100mV - 2000mV
    Signal/Noise Ratio 89 dB
    Vacuum Tube 6z4 x1. Amplify tube 12AX7 / 6N4x2, 12AU7x1
    Supply Voltage AC110V / 60Hz or 220V / 50Hz
    Power Consumption 45W
    Input jacks 3 groups

    TPA02-photo_04.jpg
    TPA02-photo_07.jpg
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    Wow, that thing is sexy, lol.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • virtualdean
    virtualdean Posts: 286
    edited April 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    Music Angel/ Angle specs
    link with some more pics:
    http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/Music%20Angle%20-%20Marantz-7.html

    Input Power 110V-240V AVAILABLE
    Frequency Respond 10Hz ~ 40KHz+/-1dB
    Input voltage 100mV - 2000mV
    Signal/Noise Ratio 89 dB
    Vacuum Tube 6z4 x1. Amplify tube 12AX7 / 6N4x2, 12AU7x1
    Supply Voltage AC110V / 60Hz or 220V / 50Hz
    Power Consumption 45W
    Input jacks 3 groups

    TPA02-photo_04.jpg
    TPA02-photo_07.jpg

    Beautiful! Did anyone else notice they misspelled Angel? I sort of like it as Music Angle though. A more manly name than music angel. :D
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited April 2010
    virtualdean wrote: »
    Beautiful! Did anyone else notice they misspelled Angel? I sort of like it as Music Angle though. A more manly name than music angel. :D

    yeah I noticed that. Bet someone got their **** chewed over that one. :D
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    LOL, Yeah I saw that too. I'll wait to see what the tube guys have to say, but this looks very tempting.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2010
    MA has a terrible rep, cheap parts, etc. I'd steer clear. It's nothing like a Marantz 7B.

    Just IMHO,

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited April 2010
    well, I dont see anything special about the caps, volume pot, resistors and so forth, so you might get some tube sound out of it and who can really say till you try, but I would rather have one Gary Dodd's ELP or some such thing........

    RT1
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    yeah I noticed that. Bet someone got their **** chewed over that one. :D

    Not really, are made in "sweat shops" or at someones home with no concern for quality control. Go over to DIY audio in the tube section, all sort of fire's, melt downs, blown caps for MA stuff and it's sister company Meng and others.

    The stuff direct from China is a crap shoot at best. If you are really wanting to get into a tube pre on the cheap I can unhesitatingly recommend this.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Dared-SL-2000A-pure-tube-preamp-USB-DAC-module-/260584039084?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cac04e2ac

    This comes from an American importer his name is Joe and it's a great sounding and very well built unit w/Nichicon PS caps and Auricap coupling/bypass caps. and you get a warranty right here in the US. ALso be aware stock Chinese tubes are pretty poor sounding

    Stay far away from the direct from China stuff unless you want to take you chances.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Where's the TOROID??! lol.....don't they make those in China....Oh wait...I'll have to check.

    I saw a ton of junk with unknown names made in Hong Kong when I was there a couple of months ago...can't say much of it sounded good. But a lot of it was MASSIVE...trying to convey the sense of quality and power. If you can read Chinese, or use google translation you can peruse a few Chinese audio sites where a lot of native audiophiles are REALLY complaining about the 'quality' of some of this Chinese brand stuff. Actually, it's been interesting to see a kind of online community of audio buffs growing here in China. Still not very big but they're becoming quite astute and calling Chinese makers on their BS. And calling for BETTER QUALITY gear!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2010
    The fact that the name of the company is misspelled, should tell you all you need to know.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    Awesome guys, thanks. I was hoping guys like heiney, Ted, and C would weigh in here. Glad the heavyweights on Tubes were able to steer me away from this one, it looked nice, but I'm glad I was educated on it's innerworkings as I am pretty new to this whole 2 ch./tube thing. Thanks guys!!

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    The fact that the name of the company is misspelled, should tell you all you need to know.

    H9

    LOL, that is what I was thinking all along, was just hoping I was being too picky on a manufacturing blunder.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    wutadumsn23 wrote: »
    LOL, that is what I was thinking all along, was just hoping I was being too picky on a manufacturing blunder.

    -Jeff

    That's VERY COMMON HERE! lol And even when it's not mis-spelled there are some pretty creative names for things. CV (I may have this partly wrong but it does start with a 'C') is a brand of Chinese speaker that 'pretends' it is a French company? I keep thinking it stands for Crown Victoria! I heard a pair of their 100+ pound speakers--they couldn't even match entry Polks for clarity and imaging...but BOY WERE THEY LOUD!!

    And I saw a sneaker company in Guangzhou that was called KaKa shoes! You can't top that....I'm pissed I didn't get a photo of that!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2010
    This seems appropriate: http://www.engrish.com/
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2010
    I don't want to completely slam Chinese gear, because they can make some good stuff. The problem is weeding through the plethora of very poor, gimmicky gear that really is horrid and poorly built.

    KaKa shoes...............gives new meaning to the word "**** kickers"-lol
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    I have to agree, what I've found here is that there is, in fact a plethora of unknown brands...most bad. But then again, a lot of well known brands, including many Polk speakers are manufactured in China.....At more respectable retailers you will find KEF, Dali, GamuT, FOCAL, Primare, Marantz, and yes even Polk! And there are those items made by China itself..isn't Oppo a Chinese company?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2010
    http://cgi.ebay.com/FreeShipping-Marantz7-ClassicA-dualvalve-Pre-Amplifier-/250616460576?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a59e7b520

    Yet another reason not to pay $250 on Craigslist.

    Shipped from China for $238. (free shipping)

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • rubin
    rubin Posts: 565
    edited April 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I don't want to completely slam Chinese gear, because they can make some good stuff. The problem is weeding through the plethora of very poor, gimmicky gear that really is horrid and poorly built.

    KaKa shoes...............gives new meaning to the word "**** kickers"-lol

    What about Jolida gear?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2010
    Some Jolida stuff is pretty nice.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2010
    Face wrote: »
    Some Jolida stuff is pretty nice.

    +1, but it isn't as cheap unless you buy used. Not saying they are overpriced, just that you won't find a Jolida piece for $200-300.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • sqlsavior
    sqlsavior Posts: 2
    edited August 2010
    I've had mine about two weeks now and am absolutely delighted. Glad I did not base my decision on recommendations from folks who have neither seen nor heard one. It may well be bested by higher-end ($$$) makes, but $238 (air shipping included) for a preamp that sounds as wonderful and looks as nice as this is a true bargain. Compared to the Hafler I had been running, I hear less punchy but more tuneful bass, and more "textures" in the sounds of instruments. It also has a coherence to the sound that makes picking out and following softer background harmonies and supporting instruments much easier. It lacks that "last shimmer of air on top" / "fingernails-on-chalkboard" extreme highs, take your pick. Ambiance, echoes/reverberation and decay are improved over the Hafler (which is still doing phono-stage duty) as well. All in all, the Music Angel sounds beautiful and very musical to my ears.
    Music Hall MMF-5 turntable
    Denon DL-160 MC cartridge
    Marantz CD-5001 CD player
    Hafler DH-110 / Music Angel preamp
    Hafler DH-220 amp
    Magneplaner MMG / Polk RTi1A speakers
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2010
    Good for you SQL....nothing like a good upgrade. Thanks for posting some information about that unit. @ $238 shipped, for some of the snobs here, you'd think they would at least give it a chance.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited August 2010
    SQL, toss in some Telefunken smooth plate 12AX7's and an RCA Cleartop Sidegetter 12AU7 in those sockets and you'll swear you spent alot more for that preamp :D

    I sold mine about a 2 months ago or so, but damn was it a sweet sounding pre!
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited August 2010
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    SQL, toss in some Telefunken smooth plate 12AX7's and an RCA Cleartop Sidegetter 12AU7 in those sockets and you'll swear you spent alot more for that preamp :D

    I sold mine about a 2 months ago or so, but damn was it a sweet sounding pre!

    Just make sure it works properly before you start spending more on tubes than you did on the pre-amp. Those Tele smooth plates are about as much or more as you spent on the pre.

    Music Angel has a poor rep for build quality, but it is possible to get a good one. But I'd watch and wait awhile to make sure there are no issues before spending loads of money on tubes.

    Rock on and enjoy it.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited August 2010
    SQL, does yours say "Music Angel" or "Music Angle" on the front :p
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    SQL, does yours say "Music Angel" or "Music Angle" on the front :p

    That's very amusing to say the least.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited August 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    That's very amusing to say the least.

    I was just wondering as the OP in this thread has/had one that says Music Angle and I've seen others :D
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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