What's your favorite tube amp?

nunhgrader · « **on:** 19 Dec 2006, 12:27 am »

I love tubes (full disclosure I have owned solid state & tubes).

Tell me your experiences with your favorite tube amp and why.

WEEZ · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 12:51 am »

Wyetech Labs Sapphire Mono's. Can't afford 'em though.....

frustrated · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 01:15 am »

I have a beautiful Heathkit SA2 and a pair of Grommes Little Jewels. I love them both. The Heath uses EL84 and the Grommes uses 6v6. they are very different but each have a wonderful warm sound when used with fairly efficient speakers.

MarkR7 · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 01:25 am »

Easy.....Dodd 120s!

The combination of SED Winged-C EL34s and GE 7044s make for a wonderful, blooming, natural presentation while having an awesome midrange and plenty of speed. I've been through many amps, tubed and ss, and these will stay for the long haul.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 01:56 am »

If hybrids count, Butler Monads. The best of both worlds IMO, and by far the best amps I've ever owned.

Best I've ever heard as a matter of fact.

bpape · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 02:00 am »

With the right speakers, Futterman OTL-1's.

Bryan

mtodde · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 02:01 am »

I've only had one tube amp but I love my Audio Research VT-100 Mk. II. It still has very nice bass but the midrange is magical.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 02:19 am »

Quote from: frustrated on 19 Dec 2006, 01:15 am

I have a beautiful Heathkit SA2 and a pair of Grommes Little Jewels. I love them both. The Heath uses EL84 and the Grommes uses 6v6. they are very different but each have a wonderful warm sound when used with fairly efficient speakers.

I'm fairly new to tube amps....but I'm with frustrated....I have Bell 310 integrated 6V6 monoblocks (old caps and all) and they have the nicest sound I've been privileged to hear in my listening room. I'm trying to pair my Dukane vintage monoblocks to a preamp worthy enough to get as good sound from them as the Bell's already possess.

They're only 10 watts, but I sense no particular problem driving my 87db speakers to deafening levels - which leaves me scratchin' my head a lot in wonder about them

Berndt · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 02:33 am »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 19 Dec 2006, 02:19 am

Quote from: frustrated on 19 Dec 2006, 01:15 am
I have a beautiful Heathkit SA2 and a pair of Grommes Little Jewels. I love them both. The Heath uses EL84 and the Grommes uses 6v6. they are very different but each have a wonderful warm sound when used with fairly efficient speakers.

I'm fiarly new to tube amps....but I'm with frustrated....I have Bell 310 integrated 6V6 monoblocks (old caps and all) and they have the nicest sound I've been priviledged to hear in my listening room. I'm trying to pair my Dukane vintage monoblocks to a preamp worthy enough to get as good sound from them as the Bell's already possess.

They're only 10 watts, but I sense no particular problem driving my 87db speakers to deafening levels - which leves me scratchin' my head a lot in wonder about them

I know a guy who will let you try his mapletree pre, if you want...
90days same as cash!

Scott F. · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 02:36 am »

No ifs, ands or buts about it, my choice would be a 50 single ended triode. Done right, nothing makes music better IMHO. A good 50 has an absolutely room filling sound. It's harmonically rich yet nicely detailed and conveys the emotion of music better than nearly every amp I can remember listening to.

That said, Willies (drummerwill) push pull 45 is something darned special too. (oh, and my impression on the 50 come from one of WIllie's designs too).

After that, a good 6BQ5 (EL84) amp is really hard to beat.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 03:20 am »

For me, a good single-ended 845 design like my Consonance Cybers is hard to beat, especially for driving average speakers.

If you need even more power, the deHavilland GM70s are more of the same, and quite remarkable.

Good 45 amps are totally killer, too. The Welbornes I heard in their room at RMAF produced the most life-like music I have ever heard, period (thru a pair of $55K compression-driver horns).

Captain Humble · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 03:37 am »

Quote from: Scott F. on 19 Dec 2006, 02:36 am

No ifs, ands or buts about it, my choice would be a 50 single ended triode. Done right, nothing makes music better IMHO. A good 50 has an absolutely room filling sound. It's harmonically rich yet nicely detailed and conveys the emotion of music better than nearly every amp I can remember listening to.

That said, Willies (drummerwill) push pull 45 is something darned special too. (oh, and my impression on the 50 come from one of WIllie's designs too).

After that, a good 6BQ5 (EL84) amp is really hard to beat.

Scott,
Please provide some examples of 50 ended triodes.
Thanks,
Jeff

bpape · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 03:38 am »

I'll agree with Scott that Willie's 45 and 50 based amps have a certain magic to them. Not sure if it's all the tube or a bit of 'Willie Dust' too

Bryan

SET Man · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 03:42 am »

Hey!

I must say my current amps...

The Welborne Lab "Apollo 1.5" Designed by Ron Welborne especially for higher power KR Audio 300BXL and 842VHD tube. They put out about 18 great SET watts with those KR Audio tubes. They ain't your grandfather SET for sure.

These amp came about in the late 90's when Ron was selling KR Audio tube. Sadly they were discontinued a few years after they were introduced. I think it was due to the price. I don't remember exactly but my kit pair cost about $2900 a pair with shipping. If my memory served me right the base model cost about $2000 pair in kit form. They aren't many of them around.

The down side? Well, those KR Audio tube cost $575 per pair and so far I don't think there are other tube out that that could be use in these babies except those from KR Audio

I got my pair in December 1999. So, I have been with them for 7 years now! And I love every minutes of it since the day I finished assembled them and flip those switches on. Simply beautiful visually and soundly

Take care,
Buddy

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 04:03 am »

What's your favorite tube amp?
One I could not afford (or pick up)....but they sounded excellent at RMAF '06.....

Amber Waves Audio monoblocks ......."The most outrageous-looking amplifier I’ve ever seen had to be the Amber Waves Audio monoblocks (see photo). These massive, 200-pound units are built around a 304TL tube, a high-power device used in the 1940s as power transmitters. A pair of 304TLs is used in push-pull configuration to deliver 200W. Although the tubes have long since gone out of production, the manufacturer claims that there are plenty available on the open market. The price: $42k per pair."

These amps made music.......

Web Link...

Daygloworange · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 04:13 am »

What's in the glass, cyborg embryos?

Cheers

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 04:16 am »

Quote from: Daygloworange on 19 Dec 2006, 04:13 am

What's in the glass, cyborg embrios?

Cheers

Yep....adds body to the music....

But they were an excellent sounding amp.....just the price and size holds me back....

Daygloworange · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 04:27 am »

Quote

Yep....adds body to the music....

Good one. Nice volley!

Cheers

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 04:38 am »

Rumor has it that the builders of that amp were inspired by another lab.....
Look familiar ? Link....

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 04:42 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 19 Dec 2006, 04:03 am

What's your favorite tube amp?
One I could not afford (or pick up)....but they sounded excellent at RMAF '06.....
Amber Waves Audio monoblocks ......."The most outrageous-looking amplifier I’ve ever seen had to be the Amber Waves Audio monoblocks (see photo). These massive, 200-pound units are built around a 304TL tube, a high-power device used in the 1940s as power transmitters. A pair of 304TLs is used in push-pull configuration to deliver 200W. Although the tubes have long since gone out of production, the manufacturer claims that there are plenty available on the open market. The price: $42k per pair."

IMHO, they were nothing too special, and the power-supply noise was atrocious (across the room). A gimmecky conversation piece.