Budget tube amp for Magnepan MMGs

medium jim · « **Reply #40 on:** 25 Jan 2013, 11:18 pm »

Steve:

And several models were pioneered with AR75 and AR76's. There are some really expensive SS amps that do get nice and holographic, but are just as expensive as a good tube amp or more in some instances. I also wonder why I waited so long to buy the mono's that I currently own....

Jim

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #41 on:** 26 Jan 2013, 01:14 am »

Quote from: Davey on 25 Jan 2013, 05:41 pm

How about if the load were not a speaker and there was no subjective aspect to the comparison? Maybe some sort of dummy load with precision instrumentation to evaluate the source under a wide variety of conditions. Are tube watts and solid-state watts still different then?

Cheers,

Dave.

Yes. It's explained in the book.

SteveFord · « **Reply #42 on:** 26 Jan 2013, 01:16 am »

In my case it was fear of the unknown.
I got to thinking about Marshall amps; I'd just sold a Marshall MosFET 100W head on eBay and bought a 100W tube head in order to get the real Marshall sound. The MosFET was louder'n hell and really versatile but not quite right so off it went to Sweden.
That got me thinking and the tax refund went towards a pair of MB250s and that was the end of the endless parade of stereo amps.

Mr. Orange · « **Reply #43 on:** 26 Jan 2013, 07:33 pm »

Quote from: Maritan on 25 Jan 2013, 06:43 pm

Interesting Mr. Orange. What kind of music do you listen to? Do you listen to the TAD-60 in UL or Triode mode?

If I can find an unmolested TAD-60 or TAD-1000 I would very strongly consider it...

Classical, Baroque, with an emphasis on organ, organ and brass, & choral. I also do some opera, Verdi, Wagner & Handel.

I'm listening in triode mode. My preamp is a Threshold model Ten/hl and the volume is divided into 31 clicks and I usually listen around 7 or 8. I've gone to 12 but it is getting too loud for my small den. I haven't tried it in UL yet. Other tube amps I've also used are a pair Cary Six Pacs and a Cary SLI 80 F1. When summer arrives and it gets too warm for my tubes I'll switch back to a Threshold S/200. I did have a McIntosh MC202 and according to the meters I was usually between 2 and 20 watts. That was 200w/ch amp.

raindance · « **Reply #44 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 12:06 pm »

Don't try the TAD1000 amps, they are awful on Maggie's. Dull and distorted. And I know these amps well having worked with Paul to reverse engineer the design. Jolida JD1000 works quite well and is way better than the TAD1000. I have had and lived with both. I moved back to solid state as I like dynamics, bass control and HF extension.

My belief is that good tube amps that match the transparency of the Maggie's do not exist in the OP's price range.

ricardojoa · « **Reply #45 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 12:26 pm »

Why not go with a tube preamp and a SS amp.
A high wattage tube amp is going to cost a lot of money.

Maritan · « **Reply #46 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 05:44 pm »

I thought this thread was well on its way to its grave.

In any case, my budget has increased (slightly) to about $2000. The Jolida JD-1000p and the Rogue Atlas Magnum are staring me in the face. Both new. Haven't found anything used in that price range that would be nice to drive to Maggies.

I can find tons of (very favourable) reviews for the Rogue, but none for the Jolida 1000p. Anybody have any links for the Jolida?

usp1 · « **Reply #47 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 06:17 pm »

There is a pair of Dodd 120s on sale on AC which are close to your budget. That might be an option as well.

geowak · « **Reply #48 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 07:07 pm »

Quote from: Maritan on 13 Feb 2013, 05:44 pm

I thought this thread was well on its way to its grave.

In any case, my budget has increased (slightly) to about $2000. The Jolida JD-1000p and the Rogue Atlas Magnum are staring me in the face. Both new. Haven't found anything used in that price range that would be nice to drive to Maggies.

I can find tons of (very favourable) reviews for the Rogue, but none for the Jolida 1000p. Anybody have any links for the Jolida?

There seems to be more discussion of Chinese audio on AudioKarma.org than many places. If you are inclined to get more info on Jolida, I would search Grant fidelity and tubes category on that site.

raindance · « **Reply #49 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 07:55 pm »

Grant Fidelity is not the place for Jolida. Try Underwood HiFi or Audiogon.

The Rogue is a great amp, but not probably not sufficiently powerful for the Maggies.

The Jolida JD1000 populated with KT77's is quite ballsy. I might even have an octet for you to try (low miles)...

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #50 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 07:57 pm »

Quote from: Maritan on 13 Feb 2013, 05:44 pm

I thought this thread was well on its way to its grave.

In any case, my budget has increased (slightly) to about $2000. The Jolida JD-1000p and the Rogue Atlas Magnum are staring me in the face. Both new. Haven't found anything used in that price range that would be nice to drive to Maggies.

I can find tons of (very favourable) reviews for the Rogue, but none for the Jolida 1000p. Anybody have any links for the Jolida?

I personally would look for a used Rogue Stereo 90 instead of the Atlas, especially considering your speakers. I put a Cronus Magnum (integrated version of the Atlas) in my system for a few days and my Stereo 90 trounced all over it. Of course it's all system dependent and YMMV, but the 90 was more dynamic, blacker background and far more powerful sounding. Since the Stereo 90 amp has gotten little to no press you can find it at about the same price as a used Atlas.

Maritan · « **Reply #51 on:** 13 Feb 2013, 08:17 pm »

I'm surprised you say that. Mark O'Brien from Rogue Audio in response to a query of mine said that he drove the Maggie 1.7s at CES last year with the Cronus Magnum and that they did a very nice job...

I'll keep an eye out for the Stereo, but I have to admit, I'm also a sucker for some eye candy. If I can see the tubes while I'm playing music, I'd LOVE that.