What's your favorite tube amp?

Scott F. · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 05:24 am »

Quote from: Captain Humble on 19 Dec 2006, 03:37 am

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

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the 50 hasn't quite hit the mainstream yet, though the NOS 50's are selling for hundreds of dollars each on eBay. There is only one commercially available 50 amp that I'm aware of.

Jeffery Jackson of Experience Music makes a 50 SET driven by a pair of 10's.

http://www.experiencemusic.net/Intonation.htm

I thought Gordon Rankin at Wavelength made one.....or maybe I'm remembering a conversation with him where he said he is going to make one. I don't remember.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 05:31 am »

A couple of totally different amps, paired with entirely different speakers. Both with their own tube linestages.

The Viva Aurora monoblocks with Avantgarde Duo, and Trio horns. And on the other end of the spectrum in terms of speaker efficiency at least- but all together as rapturous, the VTL MB-450 monoblocks with the Magnepan 3.6, and 20.1.

steve k · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 05:48 am »

Quote

but all together as rapturous, the VTL MB-450 monoblocks with the Magnepan 3.6, and 20.1.

steve k

BobM · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 01:19 pm »

We heard a very nice, inexpensive Cayin integrated amp this weekend at the NY Rave, using KT88 tubes. It sounded VERY nice for such an inexpensive product. I'm not sure what the gain is on the amp, it could use a little more perhaps, but if your speakers are of average or better efficiency you very well may be pleased for about $2000.

Enjoy,
Bob

Captain Humble · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 01:30 pm »

Thanks Scott.
Lonewolf reminded me that we heard one at RMAF.
NEW! deHavilland GM70
50 Watt Single Ended Triode Monoblock Amplifier
I even took a few pictures:

Here's one from their website:

Link to dehavillandhifi

JoshK · « **Reply #25 on:** 19 Dec 2006, 02:43 pm »

Besides my previous Cary V12i, I have not heard many higher priced tube amps, only the budget ones typically from China. I will say though that all the best sounding systems to my ears used tubes somewhere in the system. Chris's Butlers and Phil's Blue Circles are some of the best amps I've had the pleasure of listening to.

I use to think this was just a coloration that was pleasant and was a cop-out to fixing the ailment in the system. I now capitulate, leaning towards a less objective rationale that they simply create the least amount of higher order and dissonant distortion particularly when used as the gain block of a system.

I have owned SS, digital switching and tube amps. So I am not all in one camp, but I am currently acquiring the remaining pieces to building Lynn Olson's Karna amps. These will be used in an active system for everything from 200hz up.

Tubes seem to make the most sense in an active system where they are relieved of bass duties. I think it is just a bit impratical to use 200w+ tube monoblock for the heat and power that comes with them.

bluemike · « **Reply #26 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 02:51 am »

Dodd 120's and Mastersound 845

1 AND 1A IMO

Rocket_Ronny · « **Reply #27 on:** 20 Dec 2006, 04:27 am »

I am right into my McAlister SE 44 SET. http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/

This thing brings top shelf sound for peanut dollars.

It has the clarity of my previous highly modded Sun 300B, only with greater speed and life. It has one of the best top ends I have ever heard. Cymbals have all the life, speed, shimmer, livelyness of the real deal.

Throws a H U G E soundstage.

Gives the best clarity I have ever heard.

Bass digs deep and is powerful. Is thing a set, or what???

Oh, and a very healthy 22 watts per channel.

No kidding, and all for something like $1,400.00.

Driver tube life is said to be 7000 hours, and costs about $150.00 to retube.

Made from a really nice guy who purposely under prices his products so the average guy can approach cost no object sound at a killer value. Don't get him talking tech stuff too much or you will enter another world, unless you are technically geeked out yourself. I never knew of him until of late, but sure am glad someone told me about his gear, and try to do the same by letting the word out myself. I have thanked Boed many times for the heads up.

It does not have the polished jewel look of a Wavac, nor the nose bleed high price, leans toward underground DIY which I like. People come over, look at it, and say what is that??? I love the shock value. Oh, and it's BIG. 20" wide by 12" deep.

I have long been turned off the crazy, priced to the sky, audio gear, and am thankful for those folks who brings things down to reality.

Can you tell I like this thing.

Rocket_Ronny

KeithR · « **Reply #28 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 04:47 am »

Sane money: BAT VK75SE

Insane money: Lamm ML2.1

Imperial · « **Reply #29 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 08:23 am »

These Shoreline 800's look nice I think.
Peaks at 6kW!!! only four outputubes pr monoblock

Dang!

But the favv amp.. IMHO would be a Border Patrol.
Maybe a P20?
eg.

Imperial

PhilNYC · « **Reply #30 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 12:34 pm »

Quote from: BobM on 19 Dec 2006, 01:19 pm

We heard a very nice, inexpensive Cayin integrated amp this weekend at the NY Rave, using KT88 tubes. It sounded VERY nice for such an inexpensive product. I'm not sure what the gain is on the amp, it could use a little more perhaps, but if your speakers are of average or better efficiency you very well may be pleased for about $2000.

Enjoy,
Bob

Here it is (Cayin A70T integrated):

Two 12AX7EHs and two 12AU7EHs are used in the preamplifier.

Can be used with: KT88, 6550, KT66, KT77, 5881, 6L6, EL34, 6CA7, 7189A.

Ultralinear and triode select on remote control
5AR4 tube rectifier
All-vacuum tube design, all hand-made, point to point wiring
Remote control

Power Output: 2 X 55 Watts RMS (8 omhs, ULTRALINEAR, KT88)

2 x 27 Watts RMS (8 omhs, TRIODE, KT88)

2 x 45 Watts RMS (8 omhs, ULTRALINEAR, EL34)

2 x 22 Watts RMS (8 omhs, TRIODE, EL34)

Frequency response: 15Hz~48kHz (-1.5 dB)
THD: 1% (1kHz)

S/N ratio: 90dB

Input sensitivity: 380mV
800mV (Pre-in)

Input impedance: 100k omhs

Output impedance: 4 omhs, 8 omhs

Weight: 59 pounds

Dimension(W x H x D): 17.5 x 8.5 x 15.5 inches

Power consumption: 280W

zybar · « **Reply #31 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 01:37 pm »

My favorite tube amp is a hybrid, and that is the Moscode 401HR. To my ears, it combines the best of both ss and tubes with no weaknesses.

My favorite pure tube amp was the Kora Cosmos Reference 100 watt Class A triode monoblocks. They put out tons of heat, were unreliable, used way too many tubes (14 in each monoblock!!), and were a pain to bias, but man did the sound liquid, luscious, and 3-D like. Kind of like wearing that pair of jeans that is perfectly broken in while sitting in that leather recliner that has been molded to your body...

George

hmen · « **Reply #32 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 02:45 pm »

Atma-Sphere M60's. Once you've gone OTL you won't go back.

duggie · « **Reply #33 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 02:45 pm »

if i had to own just one tube amp, it would be the mesa baron. this is cuz it's so versatile, & will sound great w/any speaker. it can be run full triode, putting out ~55wpc, or full pentode, at 150wpc. or in between, 1/3-2/3 favoring either triode, at ~85wpc, or pentode at ~115wpc. and its negative feedback can be set at 0, -2db, -4db, or -8db, for any power setting. then, there's its ability to be set up to use most any power tube - 5881, 6l6, el34... and, it sounds fantastic. as i actively bi-amp with s/s amps & subs, & never tested its low-end capability, those who have, say the baron is hard to beat in the low end, for a tube amp. i wish i still had mine.

but if i still had it, i likely wouldn't have started playing with other tube amps, & i have found quite a few other lovely amps.

for low-power amps, my modded almarro a205a mkll is fantastic, as is a home-brew dual mono set amp based upon the el84 tube, made from all nos european radio parts - oil filled caps, metal film resistors, etc. right up there w/those is another home-brew set amp made by a chinese guy residing down under, based upon the 6v6 tube; a completely refurb'd modded electrohome amp using 6aq5's; & a pair of mint set el84 amps pulled from an akai m8 tapedeck.

for more power (but not mesa baron power), it's hard to beat either my audio mirror 6c33c based monoblocks or my vintage refurb'd modded out the wazoo fisher sa300b. these 40wpc amps will drive most any speaker in any room, as long as i am bi-amping w/solidstate to subs <80hz or so.

tubes rule!

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #34 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 03:21 pm »

I will 2nd the Jolida JD3000's!! Yes, they do get warm but I live in Chicago (don't run my heat in the winter

). I use them in my condo's living/listening room(15'x16'). Their bass is not mushy, but deep and authoritative. The mids are to die for and the highs are extended, clean and detailed. Once I inserted my Rives PARC the detail came out in spades!! The biggest complement I can give them is they flat out play music. I can go from Dream Theater to Bill Evans and they both sound great.

Imperial · « **Reply #35 on:** 21 Dec 2006, 10:49 pm »

Quote from: Rocket_Ronny on 20 Dec 2006, 04:27 am

I am right into my McAlister SE 44 SET. http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/

Can you tell I like this thing.
Rocket_Ronny

I like the circuit philosophy on this Mcalister amp. Its fantastically smart!
Not often you see this! I think I've only seen maybe 4-5 tubemakers do this with
active loading, and using the same tube, woah! This is amazing!!!
Impressed!
It looks nice to!
Perhaps the Border Patrol will get a run for the money ?
I could imagine that adding a couple of Border Patrol MB powersupplies would make
things come close to really great stuff, say such as a Lamm ML2 or something. Who knows?
Imperial

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #36 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 12:01 am »

Quote from: hmen on 21 Dec 2006, 02:45 pm

Atma-Sphere M60's. Once you've gone OTL you won't go back.

Have you done much comparison of OTLs to SET?

I was very impressed with Atma-Sphere at RMAF - very impressed! I had thought that SET owned that sort of midrange transparency - this amp (the S-30) had it too.

jdaly · « **Reply #37 on:** 23 Dec 2006, 04:46 am »

I"m running a Cayin A70T. Very pleased with my descision thus far. This is really my first hifi 2 channel setup. Just recently gave up live concert taping and sold all my Schoeps gear and put everything into a decent playback system. I can't really compare this with other tube amps, but this one's here to stay!

bolly · « **Reply #38 on:** 6 Jan 2007, 11:15 am »

my Electrohome PA-100 MK-1's, about 15watts of Partridge OPT/PP KT66 smoked-glass GEC goodness!

Derockster · « **Reply #39 on:** 6 Jan 2007, 03:03 pm »

Hi guys i must agree with duggie.My modded almarro a205amk2 is the best tube amp i've ever owned.Mated with a pair of thehornshoppe horns it's magical.Regards Derockster aa