Tubes with SDA's
xsmi
Posts: 1,799
Guys,
I know it's been covered but my situation is a little different. I went to have breakfast with a couple of buddies of mine this morning and we got on the topic of tube amps. I remember a thread where one of the gurus said that we don't need a lot of tube power to run SDA's. But just how little power is needed.
See one of the buddies has a tube amp he pulled out of an old Marantz console stereo. He put it in a modern JVC chasis and has been listening to it in some Quad speakers. He doesn't know how much power the amp has so I don't know if it is going to drive these SDA-SRS 2's I have. Is there a way to test power output easily and do you think it is worth a shot to hook them up. I do have some Klipsch KG 4's that I am going to listen to anyway because I feel pretty certain it will drive those. Let me know what you think.
Xavier
PS He has a Golden Tube set he is looking at getting rid of. I know that the amp in that set is rated at 15W but it needs all new tubes and new caps.
I know it's been covered but my situation is a little different. I went to have breakfast with a couple of buddies of mine this morning and we got on the topic of tube amps. I remember a thread where one of the gurus said that we don't need a lot of tube power to run SDA's. But just how little power is needed.
See one of the buddies has a tube amp he pulled out of an old Marantz console stereo. He put it in a modern JVC chasis and has been listening to it in some Quad speakers. He doesn't know how much power the amp has so I don't know if it is going to drive these SDA-SRS 2's I have. Is there a way to test power output easily and do you think it is worth a shot to hook them up. I do have some Klipsch KG 4's that I am going to listen to anyway because I feel pretty certain it will drive those. Let me know what you think.
Xavier
PS He has a Golden Tube set he is looking at getting rid of. I know that the amp in that set is rated at 15W but it needs all new tubes and new caps.
2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
Post edited by xsmi on
Comments
-
Well what ever the power rating for this amp, it is driving the SRS 2's to levels that are comfortable. the first thing I notice with this amp is that it actually controls the bass a lot better than my Yamaha alone. In my Diana Krall recording, the bass seems quicker and less boomy. This recording DOES have a more analog sound than my other cds and with this amp, there is more air in the highs without grain. (One SDA aside I had not noticed before, there are congas being played on this song and when I looked at where the sound was coming from, I was staring into my office adjacent to my listening room [awesome]). The speakers seem to be a lot less "chuffy" if you will. There is somewhat of a sheen around vibes in my Hampton recording. I do not know if this is the air in the highs or just an artifact of the recording not revealed before for something with the tone. I know I am rambling and I am sorry but let me say this. I know now that tubes have to be in my rig somewhere whether it is the pre-amp, the amp or both but I do LOVE this sound.
This little amp is driving the hell out of these speakers and have opened up the sound of these speakers so much. I was in love with these things before, but this thing has made me fall in love even more. If I had higher end equipment, I would imagine the differences would be even greater!2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout. -
Holy Toledo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tubes Rule
-
Yes they do and the "sheen" I noticed is the whirring motor of the vibes...MAN THIS IS AMAZING!2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
-
Welcome to the wide world of tubes, bliss awaits.~ 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,he oh children,, it's just a tube away,,just a tube away, a tube away,a tube away,Gimme valves.;)JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
-
The SRS-2's I had here sounded incredible on tubes, 18wpc at that."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
-
Just got off the phone with my buddy. This unit is not for sale, however the Golden Tube amp is an SE-40 so I guess it is 40watts into 8ohms and 4ohm stable. If only I did not have to buy a car last week. He is coming over to hear my system next weekend so I will try to work something out with him.
One other thing, he is NOT letting the Golden Tube pre go so I am going to have to find that later. Which is all good anyway because I wouldn't have the funds to do both anyway.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout. -
What ever happened with the Golden Tube SE-40? I've been thinking about getting one to drive my SDA 2Bs...
-
I know a few around here still have one,maybe they'll chime in. An oldie but a goodie.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
What ever happened with the Golden Tube SE-40? I've been thinking about getting one to drive my SDA 2Bs...
Big Dog,
Sorry it tool me so long to answer, but I an my friend have been too busy to hook up.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
