[hqn77]

Hello, just joined AudioCircle at a friend's recommendation.  I'm definitely a lifelong music fan, with limited knowledge on the equipment side.  I've been using the current setup for a number of years and am looking to foray into tubes.

- Musical Fidelity XPS100 Preamp
- 2 X MF XAS-100 amps running in mono
- NHT 2.5i with Kimber 4PR
- Parasound ZCD
- MF X-10 V3 between the pream and power
- AudioQuest Golden Gate interconnects (recent upgrade from old Monster Cable)

I have never owned any tube equipment, but fell in love with the warmth sound from listening to a friend's rig.  Recently, I was given a pair of Klipsch Chorus and thought a tube amp would the the perfect companion.  My main question is can I get the "tube" sound simply by adding a tube preamp to the rig or am I better off getting a budget tube integrated like the Jolida FX10?  I've been browsing this forum for some time and saw that the Vista Audio I84 is highly rated and probably within my price point.  Thank you all for the advise!

[JLM]

Welcome!

Klipsch and tubes go together (synergize) well.  Back in their heyday small tube amps is all that was available for Paul Klipsch to use. 

But I'd beware of striving for a particularly strong sonic attribute (like warmth).  Having everything sound "warm" (or whatever) can get old. 

[RDavidson]

A tube preamp can add tube "flavor" without getting too much of a good thing. I personally like the approach of tube preamp with solid state amp. A passive preamp with tube amp can work very nicely as well.

I think you're looking in the correct area, in terms of power. I don't think you need more than maybe 15 tube watts, 30 watts tops. A nice little EL84 based amp would work well for you. EL34 based amps can be very good too, more warm. Just kind of depends on what you want. Jolida makes some very good, budget, integrateds. You might consider something like an old Jolida 502a or 502b (prior to the metal face plates). Nice sounding amp for not a lot of $. They can be somewhat hard to come by. People seem hold onto them.

If you're not entirely sold on getting tubes, you might find an old NAD 3020 to be a very fun listen. It is surprisingly warm and natural, but also quite robust and just about unbreakable. I have an old 3020B I like to keep around. These old amps just seem to really work a treat with older speakers.

[mresseguie]

hqn77,

Welcome!

Until a few months ago, I was all solid state, but I was curious about the 'tube sound'. Quite fortunately for me an AC member decided to sell his tube preamp in order to move higher up the food chain. The price was low enough that I wouldn't be out too much cash if it turned out I had made a mistake. Well, it was a great addition!

Of course, I so enjoyed the sound that I decided to get a better amp to go with the preamp. Rather than going all out for tubes, I chose a hybrid amp. Now I'm plotting and scheming for my next preamp to better pair with my amp. Whew!

Amp:       AVA 400R Fet Valve
Preamp:  AVA T8

I was in an audio shop in Portland, OR last week and listened to a Primaluna integrated tube amp powering a pair of Dali 2-way monitors. (sounded damned nice).

Best of luck in your search. Enjoy!

Michael

[hqn77]

Welcome!

Klipsch and tubes go together (synergize) well.  Back in their heyday small tube amps is all that was available for Paul Klipsch to use. 

But I'd beware of striving for a particularly strong sonic attribute (like warmth).  Having everything sound "warm" (or whatever) can get old. 

You're absolutely right.  I love the sound of my current system and going to tubes will be more of an experiment for now.  I do like the sound of the Klispch but thought that driving them with the MF amps were not ideal in bringing out their signature sound. 

[hqn77]

A tube preamp can add tube "flavor" without getting too much of a good thing. I personally like the approach of tube preamp with solid state amp. A passive preamp with tube amp can work very nicely as well.

I think you're looking in the correct area, in terms of power. I don't think you need more than maybe 15 tube watts, 30 watts tops. A nice little EL84 based amp would work well for you. EL34 based amps can be very good too, more warm. Just kind of depends on what you want. Jolida makes some very good, budget, integrateds. You might consider something like an old Jolida 502a or 502b (prior to the metal face plates). Nice sounding amp for not a lot of $. They can be somewhat hard to come by. People seem hold onto them.

If you're not entirely sold on getting tubes, you might find an old NAD 3020 to be a very fun listen. It is surprisingly warm and natural, but also quite robust and just about unbreakable. I have an old 3020B I like to keep around. These old amps just seem to really work a treat with older speakers.

I have been told that using the Musical Fidelity X-10 is the closest thing I can get to the tube sound without going full tubes.  I never thought about the X-10 in that way but it does have a tubes!  I am leaning heavily towards the Jolida FX10.  I have talked a sales guy at my local hifi shop and he recommended I look at the Mini Watt N3, a cheap little Chinese amp that could shine with the right tubes.  Thanks for the advice!

[hqn77]

hqn77,

Welcome!

Until a few months ago, I was all solid state, but I was curious about the 'tube sound'. Quite fortunately for me an AC member decided to sell his tube preamp in order to move higher up the food chain. The price was low enough that I wouldn't be out too much cash if it turned out I had made a mistake. Well, it was a great addition!

Of course, I so enjoyed the sound that I decided to get a better amp to go with the preamp. Rather than going all out for tubes, I chose a hybrid amp. Now I'm plotting and scheming for my next preamp to better pair with my amp. Whew!

Amp:       AVA 400R Fet Valve
Preamp:  AVA T8

I was in an audio shop in Portland, OR last week and listened to a Primaluna integrated tube amp powering a pair of Dali 2-way monitors. (sounded damned nice).

Best of luck in your search. Enjoy!

Michael

Thanks Michael,

I'm still very much in love with the Musical Fidelity setup and not looking at replacing that any time soon.  I think the AVA components are a little out of my price range for what I want to do right now. I listened to my friend's system, which consisted of Rogue amp and preamp driving a pair of Klipsch LaScalas...I fell in love with how vocals are produced.  Listening to Jo Stafford's "September in the Rain" sent goosebumps all over me .

[jarcher]

Welcome!

A decent  used tube preamp is probably going to cost you as much as a cheap tube integrated amp.  I got my start in tubes with a cheap Glow Audio 8W Amp One integrated amp about 4-5 years ago ($350).  I've also had one of the Jolida's previously mentioned (502A - about $450) which was also had cheap and had some decent iron, but just so-so passive preamp section.  Some mod them to be amp only.  If I was starting all over again, I'd probably start with one of the smaller / cheaper Line Magnetic (Mini218 or 211) or maybe a Prima Luna - both Chinese made, but to a high standard.  A Dynaco ST70 is also one of those amps everyone should own at some point.  Audio Van Alstine modded or ultra valve models are particularly nice.  A stock unmolested one is probably under $500 - but given the age you probably want a modded or at least re-capped one.

Tube aside, a Conrad Johnson PV10 tube preamp was one of the best investments I ever made : it was far better than any pre-amp I had ever had before - including a modern pre-pro that retailed for twice as much.  That was less than $800.

Anyway - fun times await you!