Cheapest tubed integrated amps (line stage only)?

Malaka

I'm looking for the most affordable, tubed integrated amp (line stage only- no phono). Can anyone provide manufacturer names or links? Thanks!

Face

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1263323749&/Manley-Stingray-reduced

NJPOLKER

You will like this one

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1262783063&/KR-Audio-Electronics-VA350i

Jim Shearer

If you have efficient speakers (about 93 dB or better), then you might consider the MiniWatt at $230:
http://www.aloaudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_4&products_id=258&zenid=4b94bbeed5fc925564273348d6adf9c9

So small! So Cute! Simply stunning for the price!

If you want more then 2.5 wpc, more inputs, or more features, then don't even bother looking. But I just got one of these for my single full range drivers, and they deliver the goods for amazing few $$.

Cheers, Jim

Malaka

Thanks guys!

Jim, those 'MiniWatts' look amazing for the relatively low price. That is EXACTLY what I need!

How is the build quality, volume control quality (ALPS?), and what kind of stock tubes come with it?

THANKS!!!

Jim Shearer

Malaka,

According to the reviews:
"The MiniWatt uses a pair of military grade 6J1 valves together with a pair of 6P1's, and these are wired as "as Ultra-Linear Circuitry", something that I take to mean the amplifier operates in class-AB mode."

Stock tubes are Chinese. I bought an upgrade package with vintage Western Electric and Svetlana tubes, but haven't tried them yet.

My listening preferences are for modest volume levels, so the MiniWatt has enough power for my taste, even when driving 89 dB sensitive speakers. I bought this after hearing what tubes could do for Fostex F120a drivers, which I have in a pair of Metronomes I built. (You can find me hanging out in the Full Range driver section of DIYaudio.com) With SS amps the F120a sounds rather mediocre, and I was wondering why some people absolutely rave about this driver. When I heard what they could do connected to a friend's tube amp, I just had to get me some of that old glass. And I don't have the cash to buy anything like a Manley Stingray.

When coupled to a pair of two-way open baffles, the tubes do OK, but I prefer the way they sound with a nice, big SS amp.

Cheers, Jim

W WALDECKER

I have the i34 integrated from www.vistaaudio.com and it is a very fine sounding little amp manufactured in Serbia, Eastern Europe. it is designed around the JJ EL34L power tube and it uses some very high quality Trafomatic transformers.the i34's go for just under a $1000 for the standard model.I bought mine used from a lady in NY and had Vista Audio convert the AUX inputs into volume controlled subwoofer outputs.Boris Sasic who is the Engineer who owns and designs for Vista Audio was nice enough to carry the original two year warranty over to me the 2nd owner very well made stuff.thanks....WCW III

Jim Shearer

I notice that I forgot to comment on build quality of the MiniWatt.

I haven't looked inside the case. Outside it looks OK. Nothing special, but what do you expect at the price? The volume control seems fine to me; smooth, quiet. And the amp itself is quiet when no signal is present--something I was concerned about when connecting it to sensitive full range divers.

Cheers, Jim

Malaka

Thanks to all for the responses. The 'MiniWatt', for the price, is a 'no-brainer'. It's a real good value, and i'm sure the stock tubes sound better than even many small SS integrated amps. I'm sure tube rolling is fun with that one too.

coolsax

so i'm slightly confused.. at only 2.5wpc what kind of speakers can this drive as even the cheap polk bookshelves required 20wpc minimum?

Malaka

Good question.

Generally speaking, they can drive more efficient speakers (in the 90's db-wise) to decent sound levels. This amp is more for listeners who don't listen to their music too loud. But you can still obtain healthy volume levels with it. Also, remember, tubed amp watts are different than solid state. From what i've heard, 1 tubed watt equals about 3 solid state watts. If this amp can't drive my bedroom speakers, I will probably use it as my main PC setup. I'd like to get rid of my cheap 'Logitech' speakers and get a good, accurate sounding mini-monitor to drive with the 'MiniWatt' amp. A simple stereo mini plug (from my PC's sound card) to a double RCA (to plug into the amp's input) would do the trick here.

mshan242700

http://www.fat-man.co.uk/docs/product_07/iTube_ValveDock.shtml

http://www.amazon.com/Fatman-iTube-Valve-Dock/dp/B000TK9UXE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258750834&sr=1-3

More upscale: http://grantfidelity.com/site/

Libertyc

http://www.tsto.com/Yarland_FV34C_Integrated_Tube_Amplifier_p/3057.htm

Jim Shearer

coolsax wrote: »

so i'm slightly confused.. at only 2.5wpc what kind of speakers can this drive as even the cheap polk bookshelves required 20wpc minimum?

With a MiniWatt driving 89 dB sensitive speakers, you must stay at polite listening levels. This is obviously not for you guys who are into heavy metal, loud rock, or HT. And I'm not sure of the benefits of this amp on speakers with a passive XO.

BUT.... I bought it for use on single full range drivers. For me, it really works a treat on Fostex F120a drivers, which sound pretty mediocre when connected to SS. With the MiniWatt, the F120a turns from mediocre into something amazing--even though I must stay at modest SPL's. It will also see use on other, more sensitive drivers.

Single full range drivers aren't for everyone. If you like folk, jazz, small scale classical, or similar music, you should get your ears on a good SFRD. You have no idea how much sonic goodness disappears in a passive XO.

Cheers, Jim

Face

Jim Shearer wrote: »

You have no idea how much sonic goodness disappears in a passive XO.

The same could be said of SFRD's.

Jim Shearer

Oh, I know very well what compromises I get when using a multi-way speaker on the one hand, or a SFRD on the other. That might be why I have (at the moment) seven sets of speakers, three receivers, one SS amp, one SI T-amp, and one tube amp. My latest speaker build is a 2-way using a 3" SFRD on top and a 15" woofer on the bottom, coupled together with a 2nd order passive XO.

EVERY speaker has its own set of compromises. (Only marketing depts. talk of speakers built w/o compromise.) You need to make your own choices based on the types of music you listen to, the environment you have to work in, your budget, and perhaps other factors (WAF?) If there is a single system that would 'do it all' to my satisfaction, I doubt very much that I would be able to afford it.

It would be a shame to not explore as many possibilities as you can!

And as they say,"You pays your money and you takes your choice."

Cheers, Jim

Slimmjay

Just wanted to chime in, I have a Miniwatt for my desktop set up with some Monitor Audio mini monitors. I gotta say it sounds amazing! I had the miniwatt powering a pair of Klipsch towers KG 4.5's with 95db sensitivity, 2.5wpc for those are more than enough for my 14'x14' room. with the right inputs you'll never need to turn the Miniwatt up to more than 75% volume. Clarity and tone are great with this amp, although i'd say it's lacking a bit of punch... but what can you expect from 2.5wpc driving 10" woofers. As stated before, for near sound listening or more smooth sounding music, the Miniwatt is more than can be asked for, especially for that price. I purchased my Miniwatt before the company started adding in an extra capacitor on each output to enhance high frequency stability. After getting the cap installed on my miniwatt it sounded even better, everything was much clearer and the highs were cleaner.

Again, to get the proper output from any low-wattage tube amplifier, high-efficiency speakers are a must! You gotta pay to play with those types of speakers but the sonically, the combination cannot be beat.

coincidentally, I may be looking to part from my Miniwatt, $190 shipped, PM me