Tube power ratings
acdds
Posts: 253
I would like to toy with some tube amps. However, I have absolutely no idea where to begin. Two questions come to mind. 1. The tube wpc ratings seem awfully low (<60 wpc) on the tube amps that I have read about. How will this impact running the 2.3TL's since they need a high current amp? What is a decent, relatively inexpensive used brand or model to get started with?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Receiver = Denon AVR-3803
DVD = Denon DV-2900
Fronts = SDA SRS 2.3TL's
(Carver m1.5t)
Center = CSi40
Side surrounds = Fxi30's
Sony 12" sub
TV = Hitachi 57F500
Bedroom rig:
Pioneer SX-1050 receiver
Rti38's
DVD = Denon DV-2900
Fronts = SDA SRS 2.3TL's
(Carver m1.5t)
Center = CSi40
Side surrounds = Fxi30's
Sony 12" sub
TV = Hitachi 57F500
Bedroom rig:
Pioneer SX-1050 receiver
Rti38's
Post edited by acdds on
Comments
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You might try a tube pre-amp pushing a big SS power amp. Similar sound profiles, but with enough guts for your 2.3s.
The big SDAs really do like more power.
For a hybrid model that I preferred with the big Polks, I liked the Luxman LV-105u. It has 2 12AX7 tubes in the preamp section pushing around 100wpc of sweet Lux sound.
DennisHT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable
2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable -
Tube amps and High wattage equals LOTS of MONEY. Tube amps over 100W will cost >$4k and retubing will also set you back some seriuos coinage. As Dennis suggested try the tube preamp and SS amp route. There are also hybrid amps that have a tube input and a solid state output. Blue Circle amps and the Anthem AMP 2 (which I have) are built with these features. It gives you openess of tubes with the grunt, control and slam of SS.
