[ebag4]

I am currently running my Hornshoppe Horns (w/126e drivers) with a self-modded SI T-amp.  The source is a RWA Vinnie modded SB3 (analog mods only).  I have a low-end turntable that I may hook up in the future but is not an immediate concern.

I would like to upgrade the amplifier with another amp or an integrated.  I am looking to get into tubes and need some advice.  I have up to $700. to spend so I am looking at used gear with the exception of the Onix SP3 which I could purchase new.  I have considered DecWare but I feel the need for a bit more power than the 6 watts I am currently getting with my T-amp, I don’t need more often but I would like to have it available when needed.  I don’t have to have a remote or volume control but it would be fine if the unit included these things.  Some of the units I am considering are SET (Almarro A318A, Sophia Baby) and some are push pull (SP3, AES Superamp).  

What I would like to know is:
Will I hear a difference between the push pull and the SET?  
What type of differences?
Are there other units I should be considering?

Any and all recommendations/answers are appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed

[ebag4]

Bump...
Hey guys, a little help here?

[acresm22]

I have a few suggestions for you given your price limit...
First, I just saw today an Almarro A318A on AG for $750 obo. I owned one for nearly a year, and liked it overall. What did I replace it with, you ask....a modded Sonic Impact ; - )

I have now returned to tubes, and am currently using a Handmade Audio 2A3 Deluxe (www.hndme.com). I'm using it on Klipsch LaScala speakers, so power is not an issue. I know you mentioned you wanted a little more power than the SI, but I'd take a hard look at the Handmade 2A3 amps. The Basic starts at $625 I believe, and Tony is one of the good guys.

The 2A3 is just an incredibly musical tube, and mates well with the Horns, from what I've read  (as I recall, Ed used a FI X to good effect on the Horns, and Don Garber loves the Horns too). I prefer the Handmade 2A3 SET to the Almarro in my system, although the Almarro was quieter (you have to put up with a certain amount of hum with a DHT SET amp).

I have two other amp recommendations for you too, though these are not based on first hand experience...I just like how they look, have read good things about them and like the tubes they use...the EL84.

The first is the IAG 4.5SE (www.iagaudio.com). Is priced at $750 I believe in finished form, or slighly less as a kit. You can have it configured in triode or pentode, with the latter giving you more power. There is an old review of it here (www.tubebuilder.com/EL84SE.html)...like I said, I've never seen or heard it, but I have heard several EL84 amps that I thought were incredibly musical. And the IAG uses great parts from what I can tell, including Sowter iron.

The second is a boutigue product built by Gabe Velez, the Mag 1515, based on a push-pull Magnavox circuit from the 50s/60s. This, too, comes in either kit or completed form (http://members.tripod.com/~gabevee/). Because its a pp EL84 design, it puts out more power...about 14-15 watts I believe, so you might find that preferable to the SET options mentioned previously. Again, I haven't heard this amp, but I have had dealings with Gabe and found him very knowledgable and helpful. His site has some interesting musings on the SET vs. push-pull debate too.

Hope this helps. There are quite a few "made in China" amps that would fall in your price range too (ASL has some models, as do others), but there are none that I could recommend particularly based on experience. A friend of mine has an ASL Tulip, which is another 2A3 SET that shows up used on AG periodically in the $600-$700 range. It's a pretty nice amp, too.

D.

[ebag4]

Hi acrem22:
Thanks for your infomative and substantial post.  This kind of sharing of information is what makes this forum so outstanding IMHO.  

I appreciate info concerning hum, I am a bit hypersensitive to hum and am looking for a unit that will minimize it.

It is amusing that we all seem to make the rounds going back and forth through technologies although this is my first true entrance into tubedom.  I did build a Bottlehead Foreplay kit a few years ago, but was trying to use it in conjunction with my HT system prior to building a dedicated 2 channel system.

Thanks again for your response.

Ed

[Steve]

Dear Ebag4,

I would listen to as many types of systems as possible before making a  plunge into either PP or SET.

If you feel you want to try something right away, I would start off with a higher power (more than 10 watts), low cost PP amp, maybe even used. The intial investment will be lower, no special speakers required, no subwoofers and/or tweeters needed etc, to get your feet wet. You can get a feel that way, and then later move in the direction you feel comfortable with, whether PP or SET.

Hope this helps.

[acresm22]

Ebag4,

Regarding hum...that has always been a stickler for me too, particularly since the LaScalas (104 db sensitivity) can really bring any noise issues to light. I even have audible hiss coming through my LaScalas from the Tripath amps I've used.

I decided some years back that I was through dealing with hum, so I bought a custom built SE amp using 6L6s (or 6V6s, or 6550s) in triode that I was told was amazingly quiet...far quieter than any DHT amp. This was true...the amp was amazingly quiet driving the LaScalas. Unfortunately (and I found this with the Almarro too), the amp just didn't have the "lit from within" (to quote a fave Sam Tellig phrase) quality that good DHT amps have. It was also VERY low powered...around two watts with the 6L6s, as I recall. The result was anemic bass when compared with a 2A3 SET. On the LaScalas (and on a friend's pair of Heresies), the 2A3 SET sounded like a powerhouse compared with the 6L6 SET amp. As a result, I'm now prepared to live with a little hum to get the musical attributes of a true DHT SET amp.

Its all a matter of personal opinion of course, but I would focus on amps using 2A3 or EL84 tubes. The 300B is a great tube too of course, but I've tended to look elsewhere for lower cost SET amps, mainly because 300B tubes are so expensive.

D.

[ebag4]

Steve/acresm22:
Thanks for the info guys.  Well, I have taken the leap and purchased an EICO HF-81 that is supposed to be in excellent shape.  Frankly it was between that and a "B" stock Onix SP4.  The EL84 tubes and phono stage are what swayed me.  Time will tell if I made the right move.

Thanks again,
Ed

[acresm22]

Ed,

Ah, the HF-81! I owned one of those too for awhile, and it was how I came to appreciate the virtues of the EL84. Very nice amp...

Are you planning to whip out the soldering iron and do some tweaking, or is yours good to go?

D.

[Steve]

Hi acresm22,


     No harm is meant here, but the only thing I can think of is that you must have heard a/some poorly designed amp(s). Of course, 6L6, 6V6s (in triode mode) don't really cut it, and it depends alot on the design, of which many are flawed and crappy.

 One reviewer I know uses one of my old winged C KT88 SET amps (I only use winged Cs) for his reference SET amp. And he runs 300b PP amps in his reference PP system, so he isn't against DHTs.

 I have heard dozens, maybe even hundreds and have yet to be impressed. Believe me, if DHTs were that great, I would be designing around them, or at least cheering them on.

Again, no harm meant.

[acresm22]

Hi Steve,

No offense taken, believe me. I realize its totally a matter of taste. I originally moved away from the DHT amps because I grew tired of the hum issues, but after hearing a wide range of other amps with various tubes and circuits, I'm happily back in 2A3 land...for the moment ; - )

I recall looking at your website and lusting after your amps on more than one occasion too...

Which reminds me...did I read that you are no longer making amps and sticking to just the preamps for now?

Dan