[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

For newcombers interested in purchasing tube equipment, to operate alongside their NX-STUDIO's.

This is a opportunity to hear from the experienced AC members, who already own tube electronics. By simply sharing their sucess stories, with system matching of Tube amps, Tube Intergrated amps, or Tube preamp electronics.
(( Please keep the thread topic, catered specifially for compatible tube amps, used alongside NX STUDIO MONITORS.))


Hopefully this will benefit of all those, who love their NX-STUDIO'S, wishing to expeirnece tube electronics. Starting from price no object, to the more budget minded audiophile listeners.

[mkrawcz]

The Elekit TU8600s 300b is really good with the Studios as long as they are not is a large room. Sounds much better than it’s price.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

300B's tubes definately can be a nice sounding tube for sure!    I wonder if anyone is operating a SE amp, with EL-34's or EL-84's alongside the Studio's?

Interesting link on tubes electronics, that may interest newcombers.
http://glowinthedarkaudio.com/thoughts-opinions.html

Here is the same site, review/comments regarding the Elekit 8600S 300B Tube Amp.
http://glowinthedarkaudio.com/elekit-8600s.html

[nlitworld]

Dude.... you read my mind on a thread I want to read about. Looking for an upgrade away from my AVR which is the last upgrade away from bottom end audio. I am specifically looking into the idea of tube integrated or possibly diy tube amp & preamp. The downside is I have a tendency to crank it up from time to time, so some low power SET might be a bit... underwhelming. I will definitely be following this thread. 

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

I figured it's time to have a discussion on equipment being utilized alongside the NX STUDIO's. I always hear about  threads, talking about all the larger speakers kits and their equipment they are running with success. So I felt compelled to address this particular topic on the NX STUDIO's.

 I thought there might be a following of members, wanting to learn more about the subject.

[nlitworld]

From everything I can figure, if I were to have an ideal solution it would be about 16w. My room is small, so I'm listening about 6' away, and usually somewhere 80-90dB so these being about 87dB effeciency would be not difficult to work with. The problem would come to when I want music LOUD (96dB or so), a little 6-8w guy just wouldn't quite cut it, even if it would sound phenomenal at moderate listening levels. I know there's the term "Horses for courses" and these aren't like a klipsch party rock speaker. I'd still be interested to find something where I can have best of both worlds. I've seen some Rogue integrateds that on paper would fit the bill, and Raven/Primaluna/Manley at a bit of a $ jump up. Does anyone have experience with something along those lines? Any major downfalls to something with push/pull design or with small levels of negative feedback? Loads of questions, so if anyone has some good experience or words of caution, I'd love to hear it.

[Kaiju2189]

I’m interested in this thread. I have about 16-20 watts class A. I am hoping to do a build once GR gets some stock again. The studios would probably be a good fit in my 11x19 room, sitting about 6 feet away, speakers about 4 feet off the wall.

The sensitivity has made me a bit nervous on pushing my amps to close to their max. Although they don’t dip to low on current demands.  Loud to me is peaks in the mid 80s and average in the mid 70s

I also really dig the option of the solid walnut front baffle… classy. Looking forward to some success stories and wishing I still had my 40 watt Primaluna.

[Tyson]

I've had a lot of tube gear, and if it were me, I'd look for a used Cary SLI-50.  Great sound and a stone cold bargain.  Built like a tank, too.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

I've had a lot of tube gear, and if it were me, I'd look for a used Cary SLI-50.  Great sound and a stone cold bargain.  Built like a tank, too.

 Here is one for sale!
https://reverb.com/item/37063121-cary-sli-50-tube-audiophile-integrated-amplifier-beautiful-gone-over-by-tech

I live near Conrad-Johnson's Facility, I heard this amp and was impressed with it too! If someone is seeking a 60 watts per channel amp.
Conrad-Johnson  CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier

[Hobbsmeerkat]

I'm currently using a Tsakriridis Alexander tube preamp with our little 10W chip amp prototype, and on the NX-Studio, it's an absolutely beautiful combo. It brings out the richness of the midrange and a smooth treble, along with the holographic nature of tubes, while remaining clean and articulate.

I doubt most will find the same Greek preamp that I have, but I imagine that any good quality tube preamp paid with a good class A/B solid-state amp will enjoy a lot of the same benefits.

I dont think I've listened to the Studios with 300B amps, but I did listen to the 40W KT120 monoblocks. It was still good, but not as good as the combo with little chip amp.

On the X-Statiks, however that same all-tube combo was a lot of fun, as were the 9W 300B monoblocks I borrowed for a while when still building my NX Studios.

My Ps Audio Sprout 100 is also quite good too! It lacks the richness of the tube amps, but has a very clean sound that's still easy to get lost in.

[mick wolfe]

I have the NX Studio monitors in a small 10x11 room. Drive them with an 845 based Line Magnetic 218ia rated at 22 watts per channel. Plays effortlessly in the low to mid 80's with the occasional 90+ db peak. My guess is that the excellent xover design makes them an easier drive than the 87 or 88db efficiency rating might indicate.  I'll let the experts chime in on that one. Regardless, it doesn't appear to be a very difficult load to drive, but probably best suited to small to medium sized rooms if one likes to "crank it up".

[Tyson]

Here is one for sale!
https://reverb.com/item/37063121-cary-sli-50-tube-audiophile-integrated-amplifier-beautiful-gone-over-by-tech

I live near Conrad-Johnson's Facility, I heard this amp and was impressed with it too! If someone is seeking a 60 watts per channel amp.
Conrad-Johnson  CAV45-S2 Stereo Control Amplifier

Conrad Johnson is great too, but I would give the edge to Cary in this particular case.  The main reason is that the Cary uses the big octals (6SN7) as the driver tubes, and those have a very big, dynamic sound, along with incredible tone.  The smaller 9 pin tubes really don't match them.  It's something I learned about over time, this superior sound of octals, as I churned through different tube amps in my system.  Nowadays it's gotten to the point that I won't even consider buying a tube amp if it doesn't have octals in the driver stage.  IMO and IME and all that....

[nlitworld]

I can forsee a bidding war on any Cary amp hitting eBay for the next 6 months... 

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

I worked for Dennis Had at Cary audio, back in the day when we made these amps!  Tyson is right, they are amazing sounding amps.
Here is the PDF owners manual for the amp, for those who are curious.
FEW PHOTO'S OF THE CARY SLI-50 INTERGRATED AMP







https://www.caryaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/SLI-50_v2.pdf

Here is a interview held with Dennis Had. Super nice guy! Even though he's retired, he still loves to build tube amps. He's truly a blessed talented man. Am I biased, no doubt, his reputation speaks for itself. More importantly listen for yourself, you'll be hooked. NO B.S.!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLQsEeBKg1E      ......... It's almost a hour long interview, however, for tube lovers you might finding it worthy.

[jmac]

I have a Rogue Cronus Magnum 3 with the studios and I'm enjoying it immensely.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

RELEVANT TO THE THREAD, NX STUDIO OWNERS WILL EVENTUALLY NEED THE FOLLOWING.

TUBE RESOURCES: Replacement of audio tubes, to mininize listening down time, away from your Studio's, or any other set up for that matter.
Helpful information for those trying out tube amps for the first time, with locating, replacement tubes or tube rolling.
++++++++++++++++
Basic list of a resources for tubes. If anyone wishes to contribute your resource, for purchasing tubes, please feel free to contribute as well.

- https://www.thetubestore.com/
- https://www.nostubestore.com/
- https://tubedepot.com/
- https://upscaleaudio.com/collections/vacuum-tubes
- https://www.tctubes.com/
- http://www.mcshanedesign.net/
- https://www.audiotubes.com/
- https://www.vivatubes.com/
- https://vintagetubeservices.com/

Note: If anyone should find these resources aren't credible, please keep us posted, to help prevent a bad experience with a vendor. I'll remove them off my list above, if this should ever be encountered with a AC member.

[Kaiju2189]

I had good luck with parts Connexion. They still had tubes stocked at normal prices. They are a Canadian company but still get thing to Nashville with 24-48 hours somehow. Great source for all sorts of modifying gear.
https://www.partsconnexion.com/

[tom739]

Hey NXStudioDrummer,
Since you worked with Dennis, do you have any experience or opinion with the Inspire amps he builds now? I was looking at the KT88 SEP.

Thanks,
Tom

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Hey NXStudioDrummer,
Since you worked with Dennis, do you have any experience or opinion with the Inspire amps he builds now? I was looking at the KT88 SEP.

Thanks,
Tom

Tom,
If you have a small to mid size room, and aren't continually playing your material at excessive listening levels, I say go for it. I've always admired Dennis's designs. His products never fail to impress me.  I would not hesitate to recommend this amp! Plus you have many options for tube rolling too. Anything from KT88, KT66, KT120, EL-34's, basically anything from 6L6 arena. The pursuite of happiness is, finding the tube flavor that meets your taste in sound. IMO, THE INSPIRE, by DENNIS HAD - CLASS A SINGLE ENDED KT88 AMPLIFIER, gives you these opportunities. 

Specifications:
PURE CLASS A, SINGLE-ENDED PENTODE
2 TO 12 WATT POWER OUTPUT
FROM THE 6F6, 6V6, 6L6 TO THE KT-88,KT-120 AND KT-150 TUBES
INPUT DRIVER TUBE CHOICE 6SL7, 6SN7 and the 6BX7
FIVE SECTION DC POWER SUPPLY
REGULATED DC, B+ VOLTAGE ON SCREEN GRIDS OF OUTPUT TUBES REGULATED DC VOLTAGE ON ANODE OF DRIVER TUBE
REGULATED DC POSITIVE CATHODE BIAS ON DRIVER TUBE
PURE VACUUM TUBE RECTIFICATION-DUAL PI-NETWORK CHOKE FILTERING
AUTO-BIAS FOR PLUG AND PLAY TUBE ROLLING
1.3 to 1.9 VOLT INPUT SENSITIVITY

DESIGNED TO DRIVE REAL WORLD LOUDSPEAKERS IN THE 90 dB SPL RANGE OR BETTER AT 2 OHMS TO 20 OHM IMPEDANCE

Here is one review on the Inspire 1FA-1 SE KT88 Amp:
http://glowinthedarkaudio.com/dennis-had-ifa1-kt88.html

This could be a nice amp option, paired up with the NX-STUDIO'S.

[tom739]

NXDrummer,
Thanks for your input. Yes, the KT88 SEP looks like a winner.