Just for fun- What tube amp, preamp for SDA 1C's

rromeo923

So IF I were to go with a Stereo Tube amp, preamp or integrated amp what would work that would not break me. Can I do ok used for under $700?

Schurkey

Are you willing to buy Chinese?

I've wanted to pick up a Manley Stingray for years, but I don't think $700 will do that even if I buy used. $1200 probably would, though. There's one on audiogon right now (sale pending, but not to me) for $1350.

I've never had tubes. I admit that I'm curious, but no way in hell am I going to buy some Communist rig. Communist vacuum tubes are bad enough, I don't need a Chinese chassis to go with 'em.

Mostly it's a pipe dream for me. I don't want it bad enough to sacrifice for it; and the chances of having one fall in my lap are slim.

00p225

You would have to go used and or vintage in that price range. I'd watch for one of the Jolida models. I saw a Jolida 502 that sold for $580 which I believe was around 40wpc. I also saw a no sale on a 100wpc Jolida JD1000 (thats some cheap tube power). Both of these were on that auction site.

Just a note, I ran a Jolida 801 with 70wpc on my SDA1C's for about 6 months and it did very well. I'm currently running a home built tube pre, and a vintage Eico HF-87 with 35wpc, and the sound is excellent. Good luck on your search:biggrin:

rromeo923

I understand that the SDA's like a lot of power. How many watts am I looking for in a tube setup?

george daniel

Quicksilver GLA==40 watts
Anthem Amp One==40 watts

Integ's

Manley Stingray
Rogu Cronus--stock or magnum(I'd get the Magnum)

That should get you started

thsmith

Agree with George on the Anthem, for a nice won't break the bank tube pre I suggest the Anthem PRE1L.

Just so you go in with your eyes wide open, the better sounding tubes can or will cost you almost as much as the amp and pre but you can take your time and enjoy the improvements.

dpowell

george daniel wrote: »

Quicksilver GLA==40 watts
Anthem Amp One==40 watts

Integ's

Manley Stingray
Rogu Cronus--stock or magnum(I'd get the Magnum)

That should get you started

+2 on the Anthem. You can get started for well under your budget but don't forget that you'll want to start rolling tubes......

There was an Anthem tube integrated amp for sale here not too long ago and I don't think it ever sold....

dpowell

Here you go:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110310&highlight=Anthem

rromeo923

I thought this was just for fun.

Thanks. I may take a look at that if he still has it.

xoaphexox

Glad you posted the question - I myself have been looking for synergy with my SDA-SRS 1.2tl and have yet to find the magical combo that stops my search... haven't tried tubes yet, though - just 70's solid state separates.

george daniel

this would be perfect for 1C's or 2B's


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1307140085&/Belles-250i-

rromeo923

What do you think about something like this for 1C's?

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1310351509&/Jolida-JD-202BRc-40-wpc-Int-Tu

IS 40 watts enough?

renowilliams

I haven't played With Anthem tube gear but I have an Anthem Pre/pro and its a great piece of gear. I have to assume their tube gear is also good.

dpowell

40wpc in tubes will play your 1C's no problem. The Anthem Amp1 I use is also a 40wpc amp and it drives my 1C's effortlessly.

inspiredsports

That budget would be tight, so you might consider integrateds.

You could probably come close buying either a restored Sherwood S 5000 II integrated or restored Fisher 800-C integrated. Both would be stellar performers with 1C's as they are just downright cool, excellent sounding, classic vintage pieces.

no affiliation - http://akronantiqueaudio.net/m_40.asp?pa=m_40 (last item on the page)

rromeo923

How bout this?

The price is right.

http://www.hllyhifi.com/yaqin-vk2100-integrated-valve-tube-power-amplifier-amp-p-214.html

rromeo923

and what about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-SD-CD2-Stereo-Audio-Processor-Tube-Buffer-/130521219393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item1e63abc141#ht_2463wt_905

cheap.

dorokusai

I'm a solid supporter of the Anthem Pre-2L...probably around 450 used and one of the better, feature packed and versatile tube preamplifiers I've had over the years.

Remote controlled, easy to modify on the cheap($100 Sonicap), common tube for rolling (6922/6DJ8), built-in headphone amplifier, very straight forward signal path and pcb layout, oversized transformer...just alot of nice features.

It may not have the immediate name dropping power of something from Conrad-Johnson, Audio Research or Manley(yuk) but its definitly a bargain in my book. I wouldn't buy anything from Yaqin again personally.

Joe08867

dorokusai wrote: »

I'm a solid supporter of the Anthem Pre-2L...probably around 450 used and one of the better, feature packed and versatile tube preamplifiers I've had over the years.

Remote controlled, easy to modify on the cheap($100 Sonicap), common tube for rolling (6922/6DJ8), built-in headphone amplifier, very straight forward signal path and pcb layout, oversized transformer...just alot of nice features.

It may not have the immediate name dropping power of something from Conrad-Johnson, Audio Research or Manley(yuk) but its definitly a bargain in my book. I wouldn't buy anything from Yaqin again personally.

I second Doro on this. Anthem makes some ice sounding stuff. And what you save in hardware you can put back into some awesome Tubes to run in them.

With Tubes having tons of power isn't always the best idea. The idea is get the best sounding tubes for your money. That Anthem Pre is very clean and very versatile.

Fongolio

I'm running a rebuilt/modified Eico ST-70 at between 35-40 watts with excellent results on my SDA-1C's.

Schurkey

rromeo923 wrote: »

and what about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-SD-CD2-Stereo-Audio-Processor-Tube-Buffer-/130521219393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item1e63abc141#ht_2463wt_905

cheap.

Interesting. All the distortion of a person's existing solid-state amp, plus all the distortion of a cheap Chinese tube-job.

cnh

Don't get me wrong...but, this Yaqin tube buffer looks like it's probably a 'copy' of something and, even an amateur like myself can see that it wouldn't take 'superior' abilities to wire and solder a number of 'small' parts together from a European schematic? Also, as I understand it--and I may be wrong, lots of Chinese manufacturers are simply adapting and copying some rather well-received German designs and even parts?

Chinese manufacture is getting better and better and will soon (if it doesn't already) equal or even exceed what it's copying. The history of Japanese manufacturing would bear this out. At the very least the Chinese can produce a reasonable facsimile of almost anything for a quarter to a third of the cost. And that, as you know, is becoming more and more of a problem for everyone outside of East Asia.

On another note. The Anthem gear I have heard is very very nice stuff and I agree with everyone above there!

I've also heard any number of Jolida integrateds, including their very best separates which were very 'good' and I'd say upgrading the tubes in those would probably yield stellar results. But the boys above, 'though', are the 'real' tube-(a)ficionados!

cnh

heiney9

..............

inspiredsports

Schurkey wrote: »

Interesting. All the distortion of a person's existing solid-state amp, plus all the distortion of a cheap Chinese tube-job.

You'd think, but actually the single tube Yaqin CD-1 and twin tube CD-2 (as linked) tube buffers have been well received here. The Chinese and Russian tubes they ship with are horrible and worth about a penny, but a Amperex, Mullard, Valvo or Telefunkens smooth those little buffers out just fine. I've owned both and felt the CD-1 was better sonically.

I have a "Pink Floyd" (Mike Grierson http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/x-ccessories.html) "Little Pinkie" powered and modded Musical Fidelity X-10v3 Buffer that edged out the Yaqin's, but have 9 times the $ investment in it.

It actually pains me to say it, but Yaqin is OK.