Help buying a tube amp..

RH Customs · « **on:** 1 Oct 2006, 05:50 am »

I'm saving up for an amp and I'd like to get a tube amp. My question is what is a good stereo tube amp that put out at least 25wpc in 8 ohms, and has tubes that glow blue.

Thanks
RH

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:01 am »

My tubes glow blue.....250 watts....Butler 2250....

RH Customs · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:07 am »

Very nice but I'm sure that is over $1,000. That is my absolute max I'll spend.

RH

jon_010101 · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:07 am »

The best reasonably-priced blue glow I've seen comes, typically, from KT66's

EL34s may also do the trick for you (and sound good too).

Something appropriate in the $1-2k range (under $1k used) would be a Prima Luna amp, or Eastern Electric M520. But expect these to have very different sounds. If feeling adventurous, there are some great kits ... Dynakit ST70 or Consonance Ella ... which would save you some $$$ and give you a bit more flexibility. Not to mention the wide assortment of used options.

RH Customs · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:16 am »

So are there certain amps that used blue tubes and can be used in any tube amp?

RH

jon_010101 · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:22 am »

Quote from: RH Customs on 1 Oct 2006, 06:16 am

So are there certain amps that used blue tubes and can be used in any tube amp?

RH

No, there are just certain tubes which happen to glow blue under use from electrons striking the glass ... most power tubes used in amps like the ones you want will exhibit at least some blue fluorescence glow. As an example:

The above tubes are 807's, a close relative of the KT66. Most 6L6, KT66, KT88, 6550, and EL34 tubes will glow blue under the right operating conditions when viewed in a dark room. And, more likely than not, the amps you will be looking at will use one of these types (or even be able to use any one of these common tubes like, for example, some Prima Luna amps).

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:29 am »

Is the "glow" more important than how the amp sounds ?

RH Customs · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:31 am »

No! lol I'd The ratio for me is 80% tonal qaulity and 20% looks. Jon, looks like I have some reading to do on that site the pic is from.

RH

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:37 am »

Check with Bill Baker....has a Circle here.......he could recommend something I'm sure....

opnly bafld · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 12:53 pm »

problem solved- put a blue light by your stereo

RH Customs · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 03:46 pm »

That will work.

I really want tube.

RH

woodsyi · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 03:59 pm »

My avatar is blue glow from KT88s -- picture taken with long exposure in an otherwise dark room. There are plenty KT88 based push-pulls that will give you 25 watts and under 1k used.

RH Customs · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 04:03 pm »

Any commendations on amps using those tubes?

RH

jon_010101 · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:38 pm »

Quote from: RH Customs on 1 Oct 2006, 06:31 am

No! lol I'd The ratio for me is 80% tonal qaulity and 20% looks. Jon, looks like I have some reading to do on that site the pic is from.

The blue glow article is a great read! Basically, that's the "good" sort of blue glow, short of having hazardous mercury vapor tubes. Other blue glows in tubes are usually a sign of impending failure

.

As woodsyi said, you shouldn't have any problem finding a good used amp for under $1k. Do a google for Prima Luna Prologue, Eastern Electric M520, Antique Sound Lab ... also, Response Audio may be able to point you in some direction, or might have something fun laying around.

RH Customs · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 06:59 pm »

Hmm, looks like there are quite a bit of options in the sub $1k market. So blue glow in tubes is bad? I thought that some tubes just naturally had that. As you can tell I'm new to tubes.

Thanks
RH

jon_010101 · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 07:09 pm »

Quote from: RH Customs on 1 Oct 2006, 06:59 pm

Hmm, looks like there are quite a bit of options in the sub $1k market. So blue glow in tubes is bad? I thought that some tubes just naturally had that. As you can tell I'm new to tubes.

No no, the blue glow like we are talking about is good and normal

But there are some kinds of "bad" blue glow, as discussed on that site.

RH Customs · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 07:17 pm »

Ahh, ok was a little confused for a second. Looks like I have several I can save for.

RH

Bill Baker · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 11:14 pm »

Hi RH,
I just wanted to comment on the Blue Glow of tubes. Depending on the tube being used, just about any tube amp can produce this blue glow within the tube. I have a few SET amps where the 300B's glow a seductive blue.
Much of this has to do with the tube itself as well as the circuit. If you really want blue, there is also the Blue Glass tubes available from JJ. I have a pair of JJ Blue Glass EL34 tubes but the funny thing is that you would never know it when they are running.

You may have a hard time finding an amp that allows it's output tube to have the blue glow, there is one or two out there (se pic below) but I would also recommend purchasing on sonics and quality first.

RH Customs · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 11:16 pm »

That is very true. Sonics first, also do you stock any tube amps under $1k?

RH

Bill Baker · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 11:19 pm »

Hi RH,
I am a dealer for several tube amp companies as well as offer new, modified units. You can check out the website through the link below if you wish.