Getting an Anthem AMP 1 Tube Amp

thsmith

After a few correspondences with Mr. Daniels on tube amps and SDA-1Cs I thought I would see if tubes rule for me.

While I am VERY happy with my Carver TFM-45 I thought I would see how my SDA-1Cs sound with tubes.

The Anthem AMP 1 I am getting has 4 mundorf silver/gold capacitors installed as well as 4 mundorf resistors and comes with 26 tubes. 4 JJ KT77, 4 sovtek EL34s, and a matched pair of JJ E34L. A slew of other tubes including vintage mullard CV4003s, vintage RCA cleartops, vintage philips telefunken I believe, a vintage 5751 tube, a vintage fisher telefunken amongst many others, old stock and new. Not sure I can use all of these as some maybe for Preamps.

If all goes well I will have it this time next week.

One question is the AMP has 4ohm and 8ohm speaker lugs. Since my SDA-1Cs are 6ohm which should I use?

ben62670

4 ohm tap. The impedance dips down;)

NJPOLKER

I saw that one for sale on Audiogon. Sure looks like a nice unit. Can't wait to read about your impressions.

thsmith

Thanks Ben.

I am excited to hear my system on tubes. The Cary V12 is sort of my dream tube amp but I think the Anthem AMP 1 will be a good starting point.

treitz3

That amp has performed the "magic" when paired with the SDA 1C's. You will not be disappointed. Use the 4 ohm tap as mentioned.

BB3

thsmith,

Ok, I'm jealous.......Congratulations on getting such an awesome piece of equipment.

Happy Listening Sir.

---

Bill(BB3)

thsmith

Thanks guys, just are confirming what George already told me.

Once I get the amp and sort out what tubes are in it and come with it I suspect I will be looking to do some tube upgrades.

Who and what brand is a good source of tubes for the 12AX7, 12AU7 and EL34Ls.

I have heard and read the NOS Tesla 34s are a must.

thsmith

treitz3 wrote: »

That amp has performed the "magic" when paired with the SDA 1C's. You will not be disappointed. Use the 4 ohm tap as mentioned.

Treitz3, I will be pairing the AMP 1 with my modded SDA-1Cs.

treitz3

OOOooooo, even better! Your ears will thank you.

vijayl

thsmith, u r spoiling me.. Enjoy and waiting for your review..

danz1906

Thats a very nice Amp-Congrats!

thsmith

thsmith wrote: »

Thanks guys, just are confirming what George already told me.

Once I get the amp and sort out what tubes are in it and come with it I suspect I will be looking to do some tube upgrades.

Who and what brand is a good source of tubes for the 12AX7, 12AU7 and EL34Ls.

I have heard and read the NOS Tesla 34s are a must.

I need to correct this statement.

YOU are confirming what George has already told me. GD is a great source of information and help. True gentleman.

I can hardley wait. I have taken off Thursday and Friday next week anticipating AMP 1's arrival.

Any of you with SDA-1Cs that have not upgraded your XO are missing out on one of the best upgrades you can do to your system IMHO. Dynamat'd the PR baskets this morning. Those things ring like tuning forks.

I have not done the MW as they have hardly any ring and with the fabric fill behind them they seem like they would benifit the least.

6 days and counting.

george daniel

He, he,, go ahead and dynamat the mw's,, it'll kill some of the waiting time.

Thanks for the kind words,, I owe it all to the good people on this forum.Hopefully you will find the magic that some of us have been fortunate enough to experience,, it will leave a lasting impression.:)

Conradicles

thsmith wrote: »

I have taken off Thursday and Friday next week anticipating AMP 1's arrival.

Dude...you may have a problem. Seek help.:eek:

treitz3

Hehe, no. That's not a problem. That's par for the course here.

It's all about the music, man!

thsmith

Hello, my name is thsmith and I am addicted to great sounding music.;)

There I have said it.

Conradicles

Admitting it is the 1st step in the road to recovery. Good job bro. Enjoy that great amp.

thsmith

Conradicles wrote: »

Admitting it is the 1st step in the road to recovery. Good job bro. Enjoy that great amp.

IN a small way you helped when I bought your AQ T4 cables. Those cables were my first step to the journey of good sound.

janmike

Congrats on the tube amp.
Days off - I reserve 3 to 5 days of vacation every year just so I can sit a home by myself and listen to music.

thsmith

Ok, we are making some progress now. AMP shipped today and according to FEDEX will arrive Thursday.

Can not wait.

thsmith

AMP 1 arrived today. I will post pics later. JJ KT77 in there for power tubes, along with the RCA cleartops as the 12AU7, and the fisher telefunken in the middle of the preamp tube alignment for the 12AX7.

The KT77s bass is boomy to me and not very tight.

Next up was a quad of EL34 SED Wing C's. Much better bass that was tight and punchy.

I have a lot of tubes that came with the AMP that I am pretty sure are not for this amp.

Next up will be F1nuts Ei CA67s.

Have not done enough listening to say how it differs from my Carver TFM-45 that was recently serviced by Rolland. For sure the KT77s are not for me.

thsmith

Really digging the EL34 Flying Cs. The midbass is sweet and the low end is soooo tight. The vocals seem a bit back compared to the Carver and the highs are a bit more airy.

The SED Cs are not burned in.

dorokusai

An underrated amplifier....very nice. That whole series around that time is excellent used gear.

thsmith

Thanks Doro, owe it all to Mr. Daniels. I am impressed with this little 49pd gal. She with 4 mundorf silver/gold capacitors installed as well as 4 mundorf resistors

I need to sort out all the tubes that came with it, some look vintage. A couple of Philipps 5751 which might have possibilities.

george daniel

Just out of curiosity,, what taps are you connected to?

F1nut

I got my ears on Tom's at CF, a nice amp. Congrats!

BTW, the fat bottle Ei's are going to kick those winged C's ****.

thsmith

george daniel wrote: »

Just out of curiosity,, what taps are you connected to?

4 ohm George, ANy concerns ?

F1nut wrote: »

I got my ears on Tom's at CF, a nice amp. Congrats!

BTW, the fat bottle Ei's are going to kick those winged C's ****.

Can't wait ! The flying Cs kill the JJ KT77 IMO.

I have a quad of Sevtek's EL34 to try. DAGoods left me a quad of HE EL34 to try. I have 3 of 4 JJ EL34's as well. But if the KT77s are any indication I will skip picking up the 4th one.

george daniel

4 ohm is just fine, there is "magic" in that amp--have fun:)

thsmith

Thanks George. Having more fun than I would have thought.

thsmith

Been going through the first stage and driver tubes that came with the Anthem. I have listed them below. If you spot any that are worth trying I would appriciate pointing it out. I know I can plug them in and listen but before I do that I would like to start with the best of what I have available.

Currently in AMP first stage and driver tubes:
RCA cleartops 12AU7, and the fisher telefunken 12AX7

Available First stage 12AX7:
5751 I can not identify, pic below.
12AX7LP Sovtek Reflector
Philips 12AX7A
Tong-Sol 12AX7
JJ ECC83
GT 12AX7M

Available Driver 12AU7:
EH 12AU7
ARS 12AU7 -China I believe
KODD/k CV4003

F1nut

5751 I can not identify, pic below.

It looks like a Sylvania 3 mica, D getter, black plate tube. My favorite 5751.

KODD/k CV4003

That's a Mullard, should sound great.