5B's

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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2012
    You want tweets are ear level.
    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
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  • factorz
    factorz Posts: 353
    edited April 2012
    Ok so I got these bad boys back and gave them a quick clean up. I had some dynamat and sonic barrier from when I did my RTA's so I figured it couldn't hurt. Now I do plan on doing the xo's and swapping out the tweeters, but for now I would just like to enjoy these. The only thing I am missing is something to power them with and would like to get some recommendations on what people think. My budget is no more then $200 and have looked at the min-x from Emotiva, but also see vintage gear pop up on my local CL all the time. Thanks everyone.
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited April 2012
    Lot's of decent budget gear can be found on the used market well within your range. Here's an Onkyo for under $100:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-Integra-A-8087-Integrated-Amplifier-/230780704053?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bb9a1535

    Or a nice Denon for $200:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-PMA-980R-Optical-Class-A-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier-/230720239102?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b7ff75fe

    New, you could get a Cambridge Audio Azur 350 for about $300.

    Also, there are some tube/SS hybrid integrated amps that can be used to good effect with the Monitor 5s (Google "Fatman iTube" for a fun example). Perhaps the best option is just to monitor your local CL and find a nice value.

    When you do decide to upgrade your tweeters, I recommend finding vintage Peerless tweeters rather than retrofitting the new RDO-194. They can be found in good condition and at reasonable prices with a little patience. Plus, they're a direct replacement, whereas the RDOs will require you to widen the holes a bit.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2012
    I'd look for budget tube integrated.

    I run (3) different tube integrated's with my 5B's

    9wpc EL34 based single ended

    15wpc 6V6 push/pull

    15wpc hybrid tube input/mosfet output.

    All work really, really well.

    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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  • factorz
    factorz Posts: 353
    edited April 2012
    Thanks for the feedback. What do you guys think of these units? First one might be a bit out of my budget

    http://aloaudio.com/miniwatt-n3-tube-amp.html

    http://aloaudio.com/new-6gv8-micro-tube-amp-synergy-hi-fi-fuse-included.html
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2012
    IMO, probably a little on the weak side as far as power for 5B's.

    I just threw tubes out there if you could find something nice, used. What's your budget?

    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 April 2012
    Something like these.

    The first one I have and use as my workhorse. It's a hybrid tube/mosfet integrated.

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/fatman-itube

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/bada-ph-31-integrated-tube-amplifier

    You can google them both for lots of info

    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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  • factorz
    factorz Posts: 353
    edited April 2012
    Budget is right around $200 so both of those are not bad. Will need to do a little research tonight.
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited April 2012
    Factorz, I'm guessing that you're a Phish Phan. Where are you actually located?
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  • factorz
    factorz Posts: 353
    edited April 2012
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    Factorz, I'm guessing that you're a Phish Phan. Where are you actually located?

    Guilty. I'm in the great state of Wisconsin.
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  • factorz
    factorz Posts: 353
    edited April 2012
    So not to completely derail my own thread, but I had a opportunity to take a look at some SDA2's pop up. From the reading I did it seems that the 2's got better as time went on (2a, 2b). What do people think of the orginal? What's a fair market price for these? Thanks everyone!

    BTW: I solved my power problem for now. Guy at work at a gave me a old Vector Research VR-5000 to use for now.
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