I heard tube, now I don't want to go back!

kawizx9r

Ok, well as some of you already know, I picked up my pair of SDA 1C's that Im really stoked about. Well before I brought'em home I got a chance to audition these, and their bigger brother running off a moscode tube amp, and let me tell you I was jaw-dropping awe'd (thanks for the experience dracos). So, I'm still messing with placement, and it's not something I plan on having achieved within a few days, I need to find the perfect spot in my living room and going off of recommendations/etc of placement in regards to my walls/etc from what Ive read on other threads posted here. I was also left to try out the SDA's in my home with a Parasound D/AS 1000 amp, but to be honest I don't think I want to spend any money at all on a solid state simply because I fell in love with tube. My question, what is recommended for my 1C's to give them ample amount of juice strictly for music listening (old rock/some acoustic/alternative music) that won't be out of my reach of maybe 300-400 bucks? If this isn't realistic then I'd like to know how much I'll be looking to spend, thanks Polk!

blakeh

Sounds like someone caught the fever! Tube amps definitely have a distinct sound. Many people opt for a solid state amp paired with a tubed preamp, but I've been happy with my tube amps.

For whatever reason, it seems like decent tube amps are more expensive than decent SS amps. For instance, you could pick up an ADCOM GFA-555 for ~$350 which is a great SS amp (in my opinion). I'm not aware of a lot of tube amps in that price range that would sport the same build quality and sound. All of this is coming from my own experience, so other forum members may have some good suggestions, but it seems like you have to get into the $800+ range for a really good tube amp that will make the 1C's really sing.

There also seems to be a lot more limited production tube amps on the market. A quick glance at Audiogon shows hundreds of different brands of tube amps for sale. Companies like Mapletree, Granite Audio, and Art Audio all have products around the $1,000 mark. You could also go with one of the bigger players like Conrad Johnson, Cary, or Audio Research.

There are also a lot of Chinese companies that make decent tube amps at a reasonable cost such as Dared and Jolida.

I guess I'd say that you could find a 30 watt tube amp for $300-$400 and it would work fine, but to really get the most out of your speakers, I'd bump your budget up a bit.

That being said, I am a fan of BAT, Dodd and Cary. They all make quality products. Someone had a Cary amp for sale in the flea market a while ago that was a steal, but I think he decided not to sell it.

kawizx9r

Yeah, people have mentioned to me some Adcom 545's and 555's. I thought about them, but people get something pretty close using a tube pre and ss amp?

nooshinjohn

someone a while ago recommended I try a Manly Stingray... I have yet to hear SDA's with tubes, but someday my ship will come in

blakeh

Yeah, a tube pre mated with a SS amp seems to be the direction most people go when they're chasing down that pleasing tube sound. There are probably endless arguments to be made for either configuration. Many people think that tubes in a pre affect the sound more than having a tube amp. As usual, it's all about synergy and what other components you have in the chain.

If you want to experiment with the "tube sound" you could certainly pick up a good tube preamp in your price range. That may do the trick for you. At the very least it's a good place to start before dropping $1k on a tube amp.

kawizx9r

So, this is it with everything sitting out, yes I know its a mess leave me alone. Next few days I'll be toying with placement/etc. Will need an A/V rack too or better yet maybe just a new entertainment center. Was also glad to finally get a timbre matched center channel!

slowpolky

awesome setup and its a great looking mess

janmike

I know the feeling.

kawizx9r

Lol...even had to put the Wii on my coffee table. Wife freaked when she saw the huge boxes too when i picked her up from work

blakeh

That's a lot of speaker!

kawizx9r

Did I mention my wife freaked? haha

slowpolky

I just got busted today for buying rti8's wifes credit card ,there was tons of **** newspapers and bubble wrap laying around because nothing was packaged in original boxes

blakeh

I can only imagine! She'll get used to it
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(or you'll find a different room for them!)

kawizx9r

Lol, she didnt complain about the center channel though. we watch movies every evening so itll just sound much better tonight as opposed to that old pioneer i threw back in the closet.

NJPOLKER

kawizx9r wrote: »

So, this is it with everything sitting out, yes I know its a mess leave me alone. Next few days I'll be toying with placement/etc. Will need an A/V rack too or better yet maybe just a new entertainment center. Was also glad to finally get a timbre matched center channel!

You will do yourself a favor by cleaning/organizing things because the sound stage will greatly improve.

NJPOLKER

slowpolky wrote: »

I just got busted today for buying rti8's wifes credit card ,there was tons of **** newspapers and bubble wrap laying around because nothing was packaged in original boxes

Why the hell would you not clean up before she gets home? Dumb move on your part.

AudioGenics

time to figure out something to get the wife and get her mind off of the rti8's

and no... flowers will not be enough this time.....

kawizx9r

LOL! At least my wife knew about my purchase, it was coming out of MY account, not "ours" or "hers", she just didnt realize they were as tall as my towers.......or twice as wide, oops? Yea I didn't clean up because Ive been driving all day back and forth in horrible chicago traffic, so im not listening to them atm kind of tired.

kawizx9r

So I switched the placing of the SDAS with the RT's, and set them back some closer to the wall, about 3 feet from the wall on each side and im sitting directly in the center and I got it. The SDA effect creates such a wide soundstage, my wife thought I had the amp really loud when i had it at 1/3rd. Placement is literally a make it or break it!

leroyjr1

kawizx9r wrote: »

So I switched the placing of the SDAS with the RT's, and set them back some closer to the wall, about 3 feet from the wall on each side and im sitting directly in the center and I got it. The SDA effect creates such a wide soundstage, my wife thought I had the amp really loud when i had it at 1/3rd. Placement is literally a make it or break it!

I've watched movies in 2.1 with my SDA's and swore all five speakers were playing.

dpowell

kawizx9r wrote: »

LOL! At least my wife knew about my purchase, it was coming out of MY account, not "ours" or "hers", she just didnt realize they were as tall as my towers.......or twice as wide, oops? Yea I didn't clean up because Ive been driving all day back and forth in horrible chicago traffic, so im not listening to them atm kind of tired.

When I showed up at home with my first pair of RT2000's still in bubble wrap from Good Guys (floor models), I left them in the car, took the wife out and showed her and gave her puppy dog eyes. I figured once I got the green light to take them out of the car, they weren't going back. The 50% off retail also helped a bit.

Nice going and a sweet looking setup!

kawizx9r

Lmao....wish that worked for me, instead i try what she does to me, her "pouty face"

kawizx9r

Here it is, all done n setup. altho the blu ray player is out of the equation temporarily until i find a new stand/rack or something.

F1nut

$300-$400 isn't going to get you much of a tube amp that will drive those SDA's. I'd say $1000-$1500 would be more realistic.

tonyb

I think that Moscode is a hybrid,in the 4 grand range too.Don't think you'll re-create that sound on a couple hundred bucks.Find a nice Jolida,used,as a way to enter the world of tubes.Nice thing about the Moscode though is you can tube roll,my hybrid,Butler,you can't,though never felt a need for it.Jesse is right in his assesment,the higher up in wattage for tubes,the more coin it will cost and those SDA's can suck it up.

Face

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1251903479&/Manley-Labs-Stingray-newest-mo

This one is sold, but it'll give you the right idea.

kawizx9r

Face wrote: »

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1251903479&/Manley-Labs-Stingray-newest-mo

This one is sold, but it'll give you the right idea.

Jesus that thing is sick, but right now I'm getting a hybrid. Being in a small place for the time being (1-1 1/2yrs) I wont be driving these things even half as much as they can be driven, and I can always go bigger/better later on. This went from a "700 dollar budget for my new sub" to....now Ive got these babies and my budget went to a good 1k (to include hybrid/speaker wire/pre/sda's/center etc)

kawizx9r

So just wanted to update this some. Listening to Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive. All I have to say is, the bass is DEEP (keep in mind I'm not using a sub), the guitar is so life-like, the highs arent fatiguing, and the soundstage is incredibly wide. I look torwards the walls to my left n right and sound just seems to be produced from every angle. Can't wait to step this setup to the hybrid. Regarding upgrades I'll be putting that off for awhile, I've heard RD0's from the bigger SRS but I'm quite happy with the stock ones on my 1C's, and as for x-overs I'll do some homework and see what people recommend according to my listening choice.

kawizx9r

Here's how it's setup now

george daniel

Face is on the clock,, you wanna hear some magic,, put a stingray on those 1C's in a 2 ch setup,, you'll know why you spent the money when you hear it.

debussyj

Congrats on the new acquisition! Geez, I'd be thrilled if my husband shared my passion for audio. Luckily, I don't have to hide my purchases and he doesn't have to buy me dinner so I won't complain about the equipment. I love it better than anything else, especially my 8' foot tall electrostatic speakers! My motto is, Who needs jewelry when you can get tubes and DACS? Guess I'm not your average female! Happy listening! DJ