Tube Application Poll

cmy330go

Seems like many members are starting to use tubes in their system, and I thought it might be nice to see who prefers what.

Feel free to describe your rig, and explain why you chose the configuration you did.

Personally I decided to go with a tube integrated. After listening to combinations of tube pre and solid state power, I decided I preferred the blacker background that tube power offered. Since this was my first venture into tube I decided to stick with a simple auto biasing integrated. One day I might venture into separates again.:rolleyes:

Dave

BlueMDPicker

Where's the "All of the above" check box?

Edit: Nevermind, situation covered. You just check them all.

cmy330go

BlueMDPicker wrote:

Where's the "All of the above" check box?

Sorry. Guess you'll have to check all 5.:D

EDIT: Which apparently you did.:eek:

Early B.

Same here. Tube integrated. Less expensive, fewer connections, usually fewer tubes, fewer power supplies, fewer power cords, etc. The verdict is still out on whether tube separates generally sound better than a tube integrated, esp. at the mid-fi price levels (say, below $2K). However, the use of separates are cool if you enjoy trying out new gear every so often.

audiobliss

I went with separates because of the added flexiblity, the 'coolness' factor (admit it; it's there! ), and because it's cheaper to get into initially. Right now I'm also stuck with using my Yamaha receiver as a preamp, so I checked SS pre with tube amp, but I will (I will, I will, I will, I will) have a tube pre before this year is out.

organ

Checed for tube pre & tube amp. Source (tubed cd player) or speakers will be next when I get the money:rolleyes:

audiobliss

It took me a minute to realize you didn't mean tubed speakers!

organ

LOL I've seen one of those. They had mono blocks built onto the top of each speaker. Bad idea IMO.

dkg999

I'm verry happy at the moment with my Audcom tubed pre-amp driving my two Parasound HCA-1500 ss amps, which are set up in vertical bi-amp mode driving my maggies. Using the Jolida tubed CDP as a source, the sound is full, sweet, tight lower end, and that airy high-end that fills the room.

cmy330go

organ wrote:

LOL I've seen one of those. They had mono blocks built onto the top of each speaker. Bad idea IMO.

Are you kidding? If not...you're right, that is a bad idea!

audiobliss

Nope, he's not. There have been several threads about them here in the last 6 months or so. They certainly don't seem to be too popular.

cmy330go

audiobliss wrote:

Nope, he's not. There have been several threads about them here in the last 6 months or so. They certainly don't seem to be too popular.

Wow that is really stupid. Do they also sell a subwoofer with a turntable mounted on top?:rolleyes:

Shizelbs

I have a tubed pre and a tubed headphone amp. Both are the balls.

audiobliss

cmy330go wrote:

Wow that is really stupid. Do they also sell a subwoofer with a turntable mounted on top?:rolleyes:

No, but give me a few years and I'll start marketing one. Thanks for the idea!

cmy330go

audiobliss wrote:

No, but give me a few years and I'll start marketing one. Thanks for the idea!

Hey maybe Sony will let you use their DBFB (Dynamic Bass Feedback) gimmick.

Just trying to help!:D

reeltrouble1

Tubes Rule. I wonder if you really can get too tubey. I suppose its possible,I am still using sand for power though and quite happy with that, at least for now.

RT1

cmy330go

reeltrouble1 wrote:

...I wonder if you really can get too tubey....

RT1

I have been wondering the same. I like my tube integrated so much that I have considered looking into a tube CDP and Phono Pre for my 2ch rig, but am wondering if it would make it too warm to the point of being masked or blurred.

organ

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Tubes Rule. I wonder if you really can get too tubey. I suppose its possible,I am still using sand for power though and quite happy with that, at least for now.

RT1

You certainly can! I used to have a special combo for my pre and amp that was waaaaaay too tubey. SED 12AX7 and a pair of Mullard 12AU7 on the pre and SED EL34 on the amp. That was the most tubey sound I ever got. Too tubey. Mids was pure syrupy with icing on top. It was nice for vocals and very soft stuff but too slow and tubey for heavier music. I sold the Mullard to Derick.

Early B.

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Tubes Rule. I wonder if you really can get too tubey.

The advantage of tubes is the ability to manipulate the sound by changing out tubes at your leisure. So tubes provide the ultimate in tweakability -- you can change out tubes to fit your listening preferences.

Short answer -- you can never have too many tubes!:p

organ

So true. Tube rolling is as fun as getting new gear. It makes that much of a difference sometimes!

Tour2ma

BlueMDPicker wrote:

Where's the "All of the above" check box?

Edit: Nevermind, situation covered. You just check them all.

Ditto... of course it depends upon which day of the week it is.

And I never tried to check more than one poll choice before. Suprised that you can.

BobMcG

Checked in on number two but could have checked the fifth choice too. That's about it though.

ND13

Tour2ma wrote:

Ditto... of course it depends upon which day of the week it is.

And I never tried to check more than one poll choice before. Suprised that you can.

+3, didn't know you could pick more than one til now.:o

cmy330go

ND13 wrote:

+3, didn't know you could pick more than one til now.:o

It depends how the poll is setup. There is an option on the poll page to allow multiple choices. Polls with multiple choices have check boxes, and polls that allow a single selection have round radio buttons.