Help me Decide next upgrade. Tubes ????
Ern Dog
Posts: 2,237
So I have $350 to spend on an upgrade and need help deciding what to spend it on. I love my new RTi10's, however, they are a bit bright for me, so my main objective with this upgrade is to tame the tweeters, so that it sounds warmer. I'm thinking about adding a warm amp or adding some tubes into the mix. Here are some of the options I'm contemplating. What's your vote?
1). HK Citation 16 amp, 150 wpc @8 ohm, fully serviced, ebay. Very Warm Sounding.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HARMAN-KARDON-CITATION-16-AMPLIFIER-NR-FULLY-SERVICED_W0QQitemZ230047870646QQihZ013QQcategoryZ71546QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
2). Shengya CD-12, tube cdp, new for $350
3). save up to buy a used tube amp
4). Other ideas?
Don't even think about suggesting I sell the RTi's- I want to keep them for a bit.
1). HK Citation 16 amp, 150 wpc @8 ohm, fully serviced, ebay. Very Warm Sounding.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HARMAN-KARDON-CITATION-16-AMPLIFIER-NR-FULLY-SERVICED_W0QQitemZ230047870646QQihZ013QQcategoryZ71546QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
2). Shengya CD-12, tube cdp, new for $350
3). save up to buy a used tube amp
4). Other ideas?
Don't even think about suggesting I sell the RTi's- I want to keep them for a bit.
Post edited by Ern Dog on
Comments
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Is this for 2 channel music or 5.1 HT?Political 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 -
Sorry, but somebody's got to say it -- you shouldn't throw money at the problem. If your speakers are too bright for you, then sell them and try something different.
Besides, a budget of $350 for a tube component isn't going to buy you very much and may not rectify the problem.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Agree with F1--
are ya looking to move towards HT or 2-channel. If you're planning on simulateously upgrading both each time, things are going to become very complicated and expensive. Unless, you have funds to burn, you may want to consider keeping your current system for HT and starting from scratch on a two-channel system....
With what you know now, you could quite possibly build a very satisfying and affordable rig.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Ern Dog,
Without doubt go with #3 save up to buy a used tube amp. I too didnt like the bright tweeters in my Rti8s until I hooked them up with my new tube amp. I almost fell of my sofa when I was listening to it for the first time. If you dont like the brightness of your 10s you will love them with tubes ..guaranteed dude!!!
Plus, the tube sound is totally awesome. Just read some of the threads on this forum about tubes. I got my amp two weeks ago and never listened to SS 2 channel since. If you add another $200.00, for $550.00 you can get a very nice second hand tube amp if you look hard enough. There are some nice Jolida amps out there check it out man.
If you like 2 channel music, youll definitely love the tube sound. If not, I will buy your amp off of you. How is that?
Gator
Theatre System 5.1
Sumsung HP-S5053 plasma
Receiver Denon AVR 3806 Pre/Pro
Parasound HCA 1500A amp (front L/R)
Parasound HCA 1000A amp (centre)
B & K AV5000 amp (bi-amp + surround)
Dynaco ST70 tube amp (Herbie HAL-O9)
polkaudio Lsi15 (Cherry) 2-channel
polkaudio Rti8 Front (Cherry)
polkaudio Csi5 Centre
polkaudio Rti6 Surround
polkaudio PSW1000 Subwoofer (Cherry)
Original A8T CD
Pioneer DV-275 DVD Player
MONSTER CABLE MP-HTS3500MKII Powercentre -
I second Zombie's comment; RTi line is great for HT, but if you're looking into 2 channel, you can start on the cheap side and get great results (like a pair of Monitor 7's or 10's that can be had for less than $200).
Gator has hooked his 8's to the tube amp...but I bet that for 2 channel he sticks to the LSi15's.... _________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Out of the choices, I'd go for the amp based on what you have right now.Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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I am still a large supporter of the Dodd ELP as an excellent pre to get you going in tube gear, new its going to be a bit more than 350.00, I would get an HT pass put on it if you are using one rig to do both duties. My tendancy is a general disdain for receivers when it comes to music, just too many circuits and disjointed signal paths for my liking. If you are just doing rock then you can get by with a receiver.
I like tubes in general, a tubed amp, well, from what I hear about the 10's they need alot of power to sing, if that is your case then you should consider the power requirement. If you can get around that there are also a number of integrated tubed components that can be used, generally not a thing for HT though.
I suppose the most important thing is already done as you thought about it before just jumping into something.
RT1 -
2-channel music is most important to me- probably 80% music & 20% HT. I want to focus right now on resolving this Brightness thing before I upgrade my center and surround speakers.
Several of you mentioned to save and get a tube amp versus an HK SS amp. I've read lots of threads about tubes off this forum and want to head in this direction. As I mentioned, I'm not ready to sell off the RTi10's. -
In that case, #3 out of the above choices.Political 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 -
Ern Dog wrote:I've read lots of threads about tubes off this forum and want to head in this direction.
Way to go bro! You are heading the right direction.
Gator Theatre System 5.1
Sumsung HP-S5053 plasma
Receiver Denon AVR 3806 Pre/Pro
Parasound HCA 1500A amp (front L/R)
Parasound HCA 1000A amp (centre)
B & K AV5000 amp (bi-amp + surround)
Dynaco ST70 tube amp (Herbie HAL-O9)
polkaudio Lsi15 (Cherry) 2-channel
polkaudio Rti8 Front (Cherry)
polkaudio Csi5 Centre
polkaudio Rti6 Surround
polkaudio PSW1000 Subwoofer (Cherry)
Original A8T CD
Pioneer DV-275 DVD Player
MONSTER CABLE MP-HTS3500MKII Powercentre -
the dodd elp is discontinued, don't know if you can get gary to build anymore.Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
Option #2 will cost $450 when you add shipping from China (unless you found a used one).
Option #3 is a good idea but, even with the tube sound, the RTi's are still going to be on the bright side.
I think that a tube CDP or pre is a good idea but you should save up a little more $.Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
There's been a lot of good feedback, on this forum (among others), about the Musical Fidelity Tube Buffer Stage(x10-v3). It can be put between components (like between cdp and pre or pre and amp) to warm the sound up a bit. Several here have used or still are using one with good results. I have seen them going for less than $400 for used ones on AGon.
Just a thought."SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE" -
Hey Ernie, you shoulda picked up my SDA 1Cs. Wouldn't have had that brightness problem and would have saved you some money.
Glad you are enjoying the RTi10s though! -
You really are a Stinky Dog!
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StinkyDog,
Your comment felt like a jab, so I jabbed you back. No harm intended.
Were just two dogs barking at each other.
Ern Dog -
For sale : YAQIN KT 88, MC 100 B, brand new
Incredible push-pull KT88 power with OCTAL tube front-end and versatility in a stunning package.
This amp will be the centerpiece of your audio system. It uses the latest dual mono circuity that includes two separate power supplies for the best stereo separation. It has front panel inputs for using your own preamp that bypasses the internal preamp. Four pairs of gold-plated inputs for CD, DVD, Tape and Tuner. Heavy duty speaker terminals to handle large speaker cable and terminals. This amp is a high power music machines with powerful bass, great dynamics and smooth highs.
"YAOIN has been designing and manufacturing a full range of electronic and acoustic products for over 26 years. The product line includes advanced Multichannel Receivers, Integrated Vacuum Tube Amplifiers, Integrated Hybrid Amplifiers (Tube Preamplifiers driving Solid State Amplifiers), High Quality Loudspeaker Systems and a complete line of esoteric cables for signal, speaker and power applications."
Specifications:
110 V - 240V AVAILABLE
110v MAY NEED 1 - 2 WEEKS FOR THIS SPECIAL ORDER
Output : ultra-linear 2x 65W RMS, triode state 2x 45W RMS (8 ohm)
harmonic distortion:<0.5%(1KHz60W)
frequency response:20Hz~100KHz(- 1dB,10w/8 ohm)
SNR:>8dB(A weight)
load impedance:8 ohm~4 ohm
Input impedance:20Kohm
Use pressure: 110 V - 240V
Consumptio:300W
signal inputs level>300mv
amplifying valve:KT88x4 6SN7x4 12AX7x2
INPUT: Integrated 0.3V Power 0.6V
(590mm) x (470mm) x (380mm) 30KG
Packing Includes :
Full Set Tubes,1.5m Power Cord
Payment Methods :
Paypal
Moneybookers
Bank Transfer/Deposit
Delivery : UPS or DHL.
Please email for more informations.
Best regards. -
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va dormir engtaz ok ?
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Screw you........reported again!Political 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 -
I wouldn't spend another dime on electronics unless you already have room treatments in place. If not you're fighting a losing battle. Bass traps, absorption panels & diffusion panels are the ticket to a smooth sounding room, not swaping out gear."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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dudeinaroom wrote: »Is he asking you to go to bed with him?????
What does va dormir mean? Is it portuguese?2 Channel
Vandersteen 3a Sigs
Music Reference RM-200
Hovland HP-100
VPI Scout w/ Benz Ace
Rotel RCD-1072
Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables
Cardas Golden Reference Interconnects
Cardas Golden Power Cords
PS Audio UPC-200HB
Black Diamond Racing Isolation -
Usually, it's like all languages. Slang can mean anything. I really don't care what he thinks.engtaz
I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
