Highly regarded tube amps.....
treitz3
Posts: 19,033
There are many, many tube amps that have been on the market since audio began. Of those amps that you have heard, what would be the most highly regarded?
My favorites so far have been the 8 watt Radii, the 40 watt Anthem1 and the new 180 watt amps that Mr. Carver has been selling lately. I have heard the Carver Silver7's, 6's and the 9's which from what I have read are fairly well regarded but unfortunately, they were hooked up to a source that was less than stellar. Also up on my list is a Cary and a set of mono VTL tube amps.
The Mars hotel has had the best sounding tube amp that I have heard to date but it escapes me at this moment as to what it is. Outstanding amp right there, folks.
What say you?
My favorites so far have been the 8 watt Radii, the 40 watt Anthem1 and the new 180 watt amps that Mr. Carver has been selling lately. I have heard the Carver Silver7's, 6's and the 9's which from what I have read are fairly well regarded but unfortunately, they were hooked up to a source that was less than stellar. Also up on my list is a Cary and a set of mono VTL tube amps.
The Mars hotel has had the best sounding tube amp that I have heard to date but it escapes me at this moment as to what it is. Outstanding amp right there, folks.
What say you?
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
Post edited by treitz3 on
Comments
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It's a close relative to: http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/7575.html
The Mars hotel has had the best sounding tube amp that I have heard to date but it escapes me at this moment as to what it is. Outstanding amp right there, folks."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Not that one Mike, the other one.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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Tom if your thinking of the big rig, its a MF Kw class integrated, the tubes are in the pre-amp section. That big-rig is no doubt one of the best in the club, dont think F1 has not worked on those SDA's and thought about each piece in the signal path, he also knows the source is very important and keeps things simple.
As far as the bestess tube amps??
BAT, VTL, Manley, Dodd, Wolcott, Atma-shpere (otl), Henry Wolcott is quite ill so no new stuff will come out from that brand until everything settles, BDT has some modded Heath-kits ala Gary Dodd, they can tickle your ear bones with those Quads. Those are a start, I hear good things about the new Carver as you say. I heard some hybrid Anthem at one of SC fests, they were nice, several hybrid companies are trying to get those oh so wonderful liquid mids and then bass slam control by using hybrid design, you can check out Vincent and Moscode.
Your no newb so as usual the right amp is system dependent, about the worse thing that can happen is to get say speakers that have an impendance curve that jumps around with an amp that likes smooth curves, or to have a gross impedance mismatch between amp and pre-amp.
I can tell you I have owned VTL, BAT, Wolcott, Manely tube amps in various recent systems and each was a winner, you can go for some old school stuff or kits but first determine the speaker so you know what you need. Anyway some of my personal favorites of recent time are the BAT-VK-120 with the Carver Amazing Plats, the Manely Stingray with the Polk 1C's, but you heard that, and my present rig with the SL and the Wolcotts. I can say the folks at BAT have a tremendous attitude and service department, Manley is also quite proactive.
Enjoy your search, I know it is half the fun.
RT1--Tubes Rule. -
Carver Silver 9's. Actually I hade the chance to hear all of the Carver Silver tube amps two weeks ago. It was a sight and sound I will never forget.
Front is the Silver 7's, middle is the Silver 6's and in the back are the Silver 9's. Between the Silver 9's is the Carver Silver 1 tube preamp.Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t -
I am lusting after the AR stuff these days. You would be doing yourself a disservice to pass up a listen. I think amps are very subjective as much so and very dependent upon which speakers they are driving. The AR stuff sounds absolutely amazing with conventional speakers, I have heard VTL's I did not like on ML's but did like on cones. It's just very dependent. The only tube amps I have heard though are McIntosh, VTL, and AR. I am lusting after AR. I have heard excellent things about Manley and BAT.-Kevin
HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
2 Channel:
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McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
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Transparent IC's -
Hey bud! The speakers that I will have within the month are a set of Tyler Acoustic's Linbrooks, the same speaker that Ricardo had a while back in his man cave. That said, that wasn't really the point of posting this thread....me looking for a tube amp for my current system, that is. I don't even know if that speaker will be around when.......well, read below.reeltrouble1 wrote: »..... but first determine the speaker so you know what you need.
What I wanted to find out is if there was a particular group of tube amps or maybe one tube amp that was so highly regarded between those in the know, that it would be on my long list of things to own.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Don't overlook Quicksilver, american made, PTP wiring,build quality is very good,great support, and if you are looking for detail with no coloration,then Quicksilver just may be the ticket. I have a pair of M-80(sounds like a brand/type of fireworks,,lol) they are tube rectified 80 watt monobloc's which use EL-34 output tubes. I also have a Quickie GLA 40 watt stereo amp on the 1C's, the GLA has HUGE output trannies that were used in the 8417 days.It's able to use EL-34's,6CA7,KT-88,KT-90 and KT-77,IIRC,,. As Ted said,,it's system dependent,, but once you have found the magic,, Ahhhhh,,BTW,, the Quickies are kinda "old school" build which appeals to me,,as do the the VTL's of yesteryear.Also,, Cary puts out some very nice,drop dead goregeous tubers,,as my Compact 100's are downright fugly compared to Jerry's 120S(which can be played in triode @ 60 watts/channel) if one desires.:)
I think the Manley that your are referring to that our distinguished President has,,is the "Spanish" version,that is somewhat of a rarity,uses EL-34 /6CA7output tubes, and it is that amp,which I heard one your OLD 1C's ar CF 08,that got me started on my tube journey. Sorry for the "ratchet jaw",,I just got up to whizz and just felt compelled to post this.Carry on and smoke em' if you got em'.:)JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut) -
In terms of commercial amplifiers (as opposed to DIYs) the Marantz 8B really stands out for me. Beautifully designed and built, and glorious sounding. I want one.
The classic McIntosh tube amplifiers (MC-30, MC-60, MC-225) were also outstanding... and they still make the MC-275.
There were a bunch of nice EICO amplifiers with excellent iron, and there was also the wonderful QUAD II (which may have been mentioned above). -
Mhardy-- do you know the production date range of the 8B's?JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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As far as tube amps / pre amps in sound is point to point, or something on a PCB better. A Cary SLP98L and a SLP05 come to mind.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
I did hear the Cary 120S a couple of weeks back and it stamped a good impression on my ears. Not to mention, damn that's a beautiful amp. Unlike one of the amps I have on my long list already, the Manley 500. I call that one "the ugly amp" but I still want to hear it in my rig.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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george daniel wrote: »Mhardy-- do you know the production date range of the 8B's?
Short answer, no: but the original 8 (no suffix) dates to the very early 1960s, and the 8B was in production until at least about 1966 (and possibly later). -
disneyjoe7 wrote: »As far as tube amps / pre amps in sound is point to point, or something on a PCB better. A Cary SLP98L and a SLP05 come to mind.
Point to point is typically preferred, although there are fine sounding amps with PC boards, too. In principle, it's easier to isolate/protect/coddle the signal-carrying wires in a point to point design relative to a trace on a PCB. -
mhardy6647 wrote: »In terms of commercial amplifiers (as opposed to DIYs) the Marantz 8B really stands out for me. Beautifully designed and built, and glorious sounding. I want one.
Me Too!Carl -
For Marantz 8B folks,
http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-8B-Vintage_W0QQitemZ170390340665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item27ac0e4439&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
No Affiliation to the seller! I think the price is also on a high side. Should be under 2K with a clean tube case. But if you want one, here is the chance. I am waiting for a pair of 9B on the cheap.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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There's a thread on AA right now that is sort of interesting. Sort of.
If the OP (or anyone else here) is sort of interested in the 8B (or the 7C, for that matter). Sort of.
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/vintage/messages/18/184909.html
FWIW, Audioclassics is supposed to be a good outfit (no personal experience). -
I have had a Cayin A-100T for the last 2 plus years, and have nothing but great things to say about it. I use it to push my RTA-11T's and the sound is glorious.
I can and do highly recommend the Cayin line, as I have auditioned pretty much all of them.
I also have a vintage Fisher 400 Receiver, which is also tubed. I use the Fisher to push my Polk 7B's with Peerless tweeters. Again, the sound is nothing short of glorious.
I'm always on the lookout for inexpensive vintage tube equipment (I got the Fisher for $15.00 at an Estate sale). If I find anything more, I will post later on as well.
Cheers. -
You should all buy all of the $15 Fisher 400 receivers you find. That is all.
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Tom,
Well if I had 35G just dying to get spent a BAT REX and BAT150SE mono-blocks would be a short list. Personally I the older tube gear is a bit to colored for my taste, I prefer the more neutral sound of modern tube equipment, a bit of a departure for me from my old school mantra.
RT1 -
If you're looking for modern amps, Prima Luna and ARC are right up there.
I paid $600 for my ARC vt60. Money well spent."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
I noticed a pair of Luxman MB3045 tube monoblocks for sale on Audiogon. These are very rare high end amps that are supposed to sound heavenly.Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
.Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.
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I know Zero will agree with me on this one.
A really fine budget integrated tube amp is the Vista Audio i34 at 35wpc. A very refined sound that'll surprise the hell out of listeners.Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
Former Staff Member TONEAudio
2 Ch. System
Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3 -
Of the one's listed so far.....are any of them a single ended Class A tube amplifier?
Just to update what I have tried in the rig....I have had the Cary 120S in and out, 2 Anthem1 amps and most of you know about the recent purchase of the MF A3cr, which is a SS amp.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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I'm a big Joule fan....amazing amplifier. He makes Cary Audio look sound like Fisher Price.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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I'm a big Joule fan....amazing amplifier. He makes Cary Audio look sound like Fisher Price.
all I can say in response is: www.electronluv.com -
The only thing that has a red flag with the Joule I linked is this....a direct quote from the link....
"The Rites are designed to function in large scale systems"
What is a large scale system? That one is new to me.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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Nice one but a tube roll would be 1500-5000+ on that baby...but if u can afford the amp u can probably afford the roll2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
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