tube amp suggestions

riglehart

I'm interested in owning an entry level tube amp. Nothing fancy, but something that might leave me wanting more. I'd probably put my Monitor 5 or 11t on it. Something inexpensive without being "cheap". Can that be done for less than $500, or am I tripping.

fredv

Doro's offer from http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47002 should be a good match to the 11t.

seo

You can pick up used Onix SP3's on Audiogon for about $500. Should be able to get a used Jolida for $500 or so as well.

riglehart

Anybody know anything about the Hong Kong tube amps on ebay?

fredv

I bought one like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KT88-VACUUM-Valve-Tube-Int-Push-Pull-Amplifier-BK-NR_W0QQitemZ130059807274QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130059807274
about 7-8 months ago. I paid close to $550 including shipping and custom (yes, hidden expense of import tax and processing fee from the transportation company, ouch!!) It has plenty of power and very well built, but I prefer the vintage Eico HF-87 sound that I purchased and restored later. If you can expense another $200 and don't mind buy used, I recommend to go for the TAD-60 which beats this HK tube amp hands down.

halo

fredv wrote:

If you can expense another $200 and don't mind buy used, I recommend to go for the TAD-60 which beats this HK tube amp hands down.

I agree with Fred - save a little more and get the TAD or just buy either of doro's offerings: #1 Jolida JD-202 Integrated Tube Amplifier or #2 Jolida JD-1301 hybrid tube amplifier. doro is an excellent guy to deal with

ghosthouse

I made the move from solid state to tubes maybe 4 years ago and have to say, tubes sound better (at least compared to what I had before - R1000 Yamaha receiver with Carver circuitry). Good luck.

Crispycircuit

The stuff from Hong Kong looks great but the inside guts are usually poor quality. Is Jolida from China?... Some one came out with new Dyna ST 70 kit and it's all quality parts with US trannys, etc... I'd surely take a look at that. Maybe some used Conrad Johnson.... I've just had bad experience with too much Chinese stuff that falls apart, peeling chrome, bad switches, crappy jacks, lousy tube sockets, junk tubes, mediocre sound, and no resale value. That's why they replace all this stuff on a brand new far east amp... Oh ya, they call it an upgrade... ha, ha, ha....

mhardy6647

www.dynakitparts.com



EDIT: Yes the JoLida stuff is Chinese-made.

Crispycircuit

The only thing I wish they added was volume controls and bias balance controls.... They still could be installed by the owner..... If you know of any reviews let my know.....

mhardy6647

A couple of threads on building the ST-70 and ST-35 at www.audiokarma.org I think there are a few threads at www.audioasylum.com too.

Should be good, especially the ST-35 (push-pull EL84 for about 14 real watts per channel).

schwarcw

I have heard This Guy's Dynaco ST-35 that he built with one of the new kits. Sounded real nice!

pblanc

You might check this out. I have two Jolida 502B amps and like them quite a bit. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1174102190

riglehart

FYI to all. I bought the Jolida from dorokusai and also picked up a Fisher 500C this weekend for 50 bucks. These should keep me busy for a while.

I bought the Jolida based on the tip earlier in this thread.

Thanks.

markmarc

You won't go wrong with either the Onix SP3 or the various Jolida models. Both are very well built. Remember, they both have quality power. Thet can drive the LSi7 or 9's without problem. Just remember to let them warm up for an hour to get the best results.

mhardy6647

...and also picked up a Fisher 500C this weekend for 50 bucks. These should keep me busy for a while.

ooh, ooh! Pick me up one for $50, too, would you please? :-)