Tube Amps to Drive SRS 1.2TLs
toucanet
Posts: 580
As many of you know, I recently got my hands on a pair of SRS 1.2TLs to replace the ones I lost in a flood.
Now that I've had a chance to listen to these speakers with different preamps and amplifiers, I still have not been able to hear the sounds come out of these speakers the way they came out when I listened to them in beemers417's shop. They were hooked up to a single VTL (don't remember model) amp and sounded really great. While I am in no way saying that they don't sound great with my current equipment, I am saying that the sounds from the preamp (Jolida JD50A) and tube amp at beemers417's shop really made these speakers come alive.
Sounds like I've been chasing a natural high of some sort. Damn you beemers417!:D
Here is a list of the gear that I have used to listen to these speakers so far:
1. Carver CT-17 Preamp and TFM-55 Amp - The Sonic Holography does not sound that good with these particular speakers.
2. Jolida JD50A Preamp and A-760 Amp - I really enjoyed the sound from the Jolida Preamp compared to the CT-17 Preamp.
With this being said, if you were looking for a preamp and tube amp(s) to power your 1.2TLs, what would be your top choices based on a budget not to exceed $10,000? The room dimensions shall be 20 feet by 30 feet (ceiling height is 18 feet). Feel free to include hybrid preamp(s) and amp(s) as alternatives.
I'm curious.
Now that I've had a chance to listen to these speakers with different preamps and amplifiers, I still have not been able to hear the sounds come out of these speakers the way they came out when I listened to them in beemers417's shop. They were hooked up to a single VTL (don't remember model) amp and sounded really great. While I am in no way saying that they don't sound great with my current equipment, I am saying that the sounds from the preamp (Jolida JD50A) and tube amp at beemers417's shop really made these speakers come alive.
Sounds like I've been chasing a natural high of some sort. Damn you beemers417!:D
Here is a list of the gear that I have used to listen to these speakers so far:
1. Carver CT-17 Preamp and TFM-55 Amp - The Sonic Holography does not sound that good with these particular speakers.
2. Jolida JD50A Preamp and A-760 Amp - I really enjoyed the sound from the Jolida Preamp compared to the CT-17 Preamp.
With this being said, if you were looking for a preamp and tube amp(s) to power your 1.2TLs, what would be your top choices based on a budget not to exceed $10,000? The room dimensions shall be 20 feet by 30 feet (ceiling height is 18 feet). Feel free to include hybrid preamp(s) and amp(s) as alternatives.
I'm curious.
Post edited by toucanet on
Comments
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Just for starters
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1274378719&/Vtl-pure-tube-ST-150-Tube-AmplJC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut) -
I can't comment on specifics, because I've never listed to the high end tube amps or preamps, but FYI, there is a guy local to me who has two BAT 75SE amps - 75 watts each of tube power, and retail for 10k each. I think he would let them go for 3k each, or if you buy both, probably less.
If I had 10k, I'd spend it on them
James2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player -
I am currently running a Rogue Audio Perseus tube pre in my rig and the SDA's are magical with this combination.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Just a thought,, if you go with mono's, you'll need the AI-1 non common ground interface if applicable/compatable with your SDA's. I drove a pair of 2.3tl's with 100 tube watts very well,YMMV,Good luck.JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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what is the efficieny rating of 1.2TLs ? 91db ?Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs -
A few....
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1275856493&/Vtl-Pure-Tube-MB450-signature
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1275509171&/Wolcott-P-400
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1276567085&/Manley-Labs-Manley-440/200-WattPolitical Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Musical Fidelity kw 500 hybrid integrated amp. You should be able to pick up a used one for well under $10K.
You could also go with a MF Trivista 300 hybrid integrated amp. These typically run around $3k. -
Thanks to all of you. You have given me some very good insight that I will research and possibly pursue shortly.
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If you're interested I have a VTL 5.5 with phono stage I'm letting go at $2200 obo. I've got it paired with a Nakamich PA5 and 1.2TL's (all up for sale). PM me if you'd like more info.Home Theater - Talon Firebird (Fronts), Talon Raven 2002 (Surrounds), Talon Cinema Hawk (Ctr), Talon Falcon (Back Surrounds), JL Audio Fathom F112 Sub
Pre/Pro - Classe SSP-800
Amps - Sim Audio Moon Titan 5 channel, Modwright KWH 225i
Blu-Ray - Oppo UDP-203
Projector - Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5040UB
Screen - Silver Tickets MPT 110"
Primary 2 Channel - Talon Firebirds
Modwright KWH 225i Integrated Amp
Oppo BDP-103, Audio Research DAC 8
Secondary 2 Channel - Polk SDA 2B
NAD T775, Denon 2900 DVD-A/SACD -
If you're interested I have a VTL 5.5 with phono stage I'm letting go at $2200 obo. I've got it paired with a Nakamich PA5 and 1.2TL's (all up for sale). PM me if you'd like more info.
Might I ask what you intend to upgrade to?-Kevin
HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
2 Channel:
Oppo BDP-83 SE
Squeezebox Touch
Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
VTL 2.5
McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
B&W 801's
Transparent IC's -
No upgrade planned for now. I have a home theater setup with B & W and NAD, so that will just have to do for now.Home Theater - Talon Firebird (Fronts), Talon Raven 2002 (Surrounds), Talon Cinema Hawk (Ctr), Talon Falcon (Back Surrounds), JL Audio Fathom F112 Sub
Pre/Pro - Classe SSP-800
Amps - Sim Audio Moon Titan 5 channel, Modwright KWH 225i
Blu-Ray - Oppo UDP-203
Projector - Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5040UB
Screen - Silver Tickets MPT 110"
Primary 2 Channel - Talon Firebirds
Modwright KWH 225i Integrated Amp
Oppo BDP-103, Audio Research DAC 8
Secondary 2 Channel - Polk SDA 2B
NAD T775, Denon 2900 DVD-A/SACD -
george daniel wrote: »Just a thought,, if you go with mono's, you'll need the AI-1 non common ground interface if applicable/compatable with your SDA's. I drove a pair of 2.3tl's with 100 tube watts very well,YMMV,Good luck.
If you decide to sell those amps again, I promise I will jump on them like a lunatic. -
If you're interested I have a VTL 5.5 with phono stage I'm letting go at $2200 obo. I've got it paired with a Nakamich PA5 and 1.2TL's (all up for sale). PM me if you'd like more info.
I think you need a few more posts here before trying to sell your stuff;)...The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
If you decide to sell those amps again, I promise I will jump on them like a lunatic.
If I come upon another pair,I'll shoot you a pm,,,be ready.;)JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut) -
...
With this being said, if you were looking for a preamp and tube amp(s) to power your 1.2TLs, what would be your top choices based on a budget not to exceed $10,000? The room dimensions shall be 20 feet by 30 feet (ceiling height is 18 feet). Feel free to include hybrid preamp(s) and amp(s) as alternatives.
I'm curious.
I'd defiantly, for sure bi-amp them. That would mead using two, two channel amps. I'd place each amp near the speaker, using only an arm's lengh of speaker wire.
bi-amping pays off big time with tubes because you can select the output transforms for each frequency range, you don't have to compromise. It is very hard and expensive to make an OPT have good bass and transparent highs, biamp means you don't need to try.
I'd design the amps backwards from the output transformers moving back to the power supply. Call be an "old guy" or whatever but I like the Hammond 1650 series transformers. with KT88 or 6l6 tubes. Going into more detail requires knowing how much power you need. But the above can scale up to 250WPC (total 1000W) but that is unreasonable for your room size. I'd think 100WPC would be better. You can select different transformers for the bass and treble sides of each amp. I'd use the xformer on ultra linear mode
If you don'r know much about amps and can't build or design them, that's OK with your budget you can hire the work out. I'd suggest doing that, the cost of parts could be kept to $500 per channel easy. The major cost will be the transformers. The thing about custom work is to stay in budget don't spec over the top parts. Build with comonity parts and then only later if need be swap out some of the parts. -
I'd defiantly, for sure bi-amp them. That would mead using two, two channel amps. I'd place each amp near the speaker, using only an arm's lengh of speaker wire.
bi-amping pays off big time with tubes because you can select the output transforms for each frequency range, you don't have to compromise. It is very hard and expensive to make an OPT have good bass and transparent highs, biamp means you don't need to try.
I'd design the amps backwards from the output transformers moving back to the power supply. Call be an "old guy" or whatever but I like the Hammond 1650 series transformers. with KT88 or 6l6 tubes. Going into more detail requires knowing how much power you need. But the above can scale up to 250WPC (total 1000W) but that is unreasonable for your room size. I'd think 100WPC would be better. You can select different transformers for the bass and treble sides of each amp. I'd use the xformer on ultra linear mode
If you don'r know much about amps and can't build or design them, that's OK with your budget you can hire the work out. I'd suggest doing that, the cost of parts could be kept to $500 per channel easy. The major cost will be the transformers. The thing about custom work is to stay in budget don't spec over the top parts. Build with comonity parts and then only later if need be swap out some of the parts.
Thanks for the advice ChrisA!
Welcome to the Club:D
