What Should Be My First Tube Amp?

Hillbilly61

I'm looking to take the plunge, used. Plenty modifiable with different tube swap out capabilities, etc.

mmadden28

Budget?
What kind of Preamp? Or do you need one of those too?

I've only heard good things about the Manley Stingray integrated.

Systems

Maybe try a Jolida or Antique Sound Labs for a low budget way to start. If you want to try tube rolling with a wide variety go for a Prima Luna. Prima lets you roll EL34's, KT88's, 6550's, 6L6's and so on. Pretty much if it fits the socket you can use it. It has adaptive auto-bias so its plug and play. Or roll and play.

Hillbilly61

I definitely want to tube roll. Budget wise, I'm looking for well under a grand in used condition. Final price depends upon how I get worked up concerning features, flexibility, etc. I intend to preamp off of existing SS integrated amp preamp outputs ... one step at a time sort of thing.

Plus, I am formulating a theory that keeping things digitial 'till amplification may make the best of both worlds.

Knucklehead

Lasareath wrote: »

I have a couple of these, they work very well and they are really cheap!]

surely you jest!?

HB27

http://www.beachaudio.com/AMC/Cvt-2030-p-55291.html
go for the socket upgrade if you want to roll EL34s.
4-8 ohm and kick some serious Polk A..
First tuber? Can't beat them for the buck. Hybrid matches well to most preamps also.
Great sounding amps.

doctorcilantro

I started with a Sherwood S3000 I think. then I picked up some Quicksilver Mini-Mites. Then I went with Consonance Cyber 211s.

I do have a killer amp I don't have room for which uses one of my favorite tubes, the 5687 on the input stage. It is a push pull 6BQ5 amp, solid state rectified. If your coming from solid state, this amp would be a nice crossover point. Best part is it's not pricey and it was designed by Gary Dodd of Dodd Audio. PM if your interested. Also check out th ASL Typhoon....run some KT90s in triode on that thing but it also solid state rectified (which ain't a bad thing just not all tube - my Cyber 211 SET are solid state rectified and sound HEAVENLY).

DC

shack

Hillbilly61 wrote: »

I definitely want to tube roll. Budget wise, I'm looking for well under a grand in used condition. Final price depends upon how I get worked up concerning features, flexibility, etc. I intend to preamp off of existing SS integrated amp preamp outputs ... one step at a time sort of thing.

Plus, I am formulating a theory that keeping things digitial 'till amplification may make the best of both worlds.

I think many here would tell you just the opposite. A tube pre with a good SS amp has alway been a good combination. You will get more bang for your buck and a greater impact with a tube front end and even a tube CDP than you will with a tube amp as the first component. In fact that combo may be the LEAST effective way to get into tubes. This is JMO and others may want to chime in to agree or disagree.

doctorcilantro

shack wrote: »

I think many here would tell you just the opposite. A tube pre with a good SS amp has alway been a good combination. You will get more bang for your buck and a greater impact with a tube front end and even a tube CDP than you will with a tube amp as the first component. In fact that combo may be the LEAST effective way to get into tubes. This is JMO and others may want to chime in to agree or disagree.

True, but now with many DACs like the Lavry, Benchmark, and Weiss capable of driving amps directly I have found this path the most interesting. You could get a Scott Nixon or Wavelength tubed DAC though.

How efficient are you speakers HillBilly?

DC

nspindel

That's my gig - tube pre and ss amp.

lightman1

Just finished rewiring my little HCT and running it to a Carver m200t, kickin' on a pair of
1Cs. Pretty damn impressive!

Next up, tube rolling.
Less than $200 for a pre and SS amp.
Ya Hick!:D

Ern Dog

I started into tubes with a $300 entry level tube preamp and ran it with a SS amp. I liked the combo so much that I upgraded to an expensive tube preamp and whoa! That was a huge improvement. Then added a tube cdp, then recently added a tube amp. The result is that my rig has never sounded so life-like and emotionally engaging. Non-fatiguing no matter what the volume and the mids are lush.

My Rogue Audio Stereo 90 is my first tube amp and it out performs all of the previous ss amps I've had in the past (Onkyo, HK, B&K). Used it sells for around $1200-$1300.

Pauly

My first tube pre was and Audio Experience Symphonies ver1. Great little pre and enjoyed very much. Gave my old SDA's a nice warm sound. Sold it here and last i heard Russman ended up with it. Never did find those screws.


http://www.ys-audio.com/ys-audio_eng.htm

Sells BIN on ebay from what i remember.

Edit. Just read Amp not Pre Amp. But if you get into tubes your prob gonna want to go all around....

Systems

Conrad Johnson PV series as a pre into your choice of SS amp if you want to go in that direction.