[guest1632]

Hi all,

Well, the search for a tube preamp is still ongoing. However, I have a question to pose for you folks on the Circle. Vendors included. If you were to have any amplifier, for the rest of your life, or say you could happily live with for the rest of your life what would it be? Yes, that's a tall order. Some like AVA gear and have expressed they are  fans for life. That's an example. Some have said this 6,000 dollar Class D amp from, ... forgot its name might be the cats meow too. So tell me what you think.

Vendors so we don't break rules, either just give me a link to a specific amp, or email me directly:

raybronk@comcast.net

Thank you all very much.

Ray Bronk

[some young guy]

Well, I just bought one of these: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aplhifi/uas1.html

I'm very impressed. It's easily the most linear and musical amp I've ever heard... definitely worth checking out.

[JoshK]

What speakers?  For me that makes or breaks any suggestion.  First pick the speakers and tell me the room and maximum desired SPL on peaks, then I might comment on amp.

[Gordy]

Well, I just bought one of these...

   That's one heck of a lot of Thingamaknobs     

[guest1632]

Well, I just bought one of these: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aplhifi/uas1.html

I'm very impressed. It's easily the most linear and musical amp I've ever heard... definitely worth checking out.

Hi, Well, that sounds real good. 5,000 dollars. What's the wattage of the amp?

Ray

[JLM]

I believe its 90 wpc at 8 ohms, but slicing through Srajan's prose takes 3 readings for me.  I really get tired of flabby, poorly organized writing.  He nevers really relates any facts the directly relate to the performance of the amp (maybe that's why its a "preview"), just price, Alex's background, and discussion of his CDP mods.

[woodsyi]

Ray,

This is good if you need the juice.  Also helps with heating bill. 

http://www.bellaextreme.com/bella%20custom%20builds.htm

I have the MK1.  MK2 is advertised to be better and accepts balanced input. 

[doug s.]

if i could have only one amp, it would be my mesa baron.  because it's several amps in one!     you can run it full triode at 55wpc.  or 1/3 triode-2/3 pentode at ~85wpc.  or 2/3 pentode-1/3 triode at ~120wpc.  or full pentode at 150wpc.  and, you can select negative feedback at 0db, -2db, -4db, or -8db, at any of the triode/pentode settings.  you can also swap out power tubes, using 5881's, 6550's, kt88's, el34's, etc.  (there's a specific mod for this, but according to the folks at mesa, you can also do it w/an unmodded amp, but you have to be more careful w/the bias settings.)

this is a great sounding amp that will work w/almost any speaker.  it has the sonic beauty of tubes, but will also drive difficult-to-drive speakers that might normally want a solid state amp.  no longer made, expect to pay ~$2k for one in good shape on the used market.  mesa boggie will still support mods & repairs on it as well...  i would look for one that has a slotted chassis - these later iterations offer better cooling.  either way, slotted chassis or solid chassis, they are built like tanks, & wery reliable...

http://mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Out_of%20_Production/The_Baron/the_baron.htm


doug s.

[guest1632]

if i could have only one amp, it would be my mesa baron.  because it's several amps in one!     you can run it full triode at 55wpc.  or 1/3 triode-2/3 pentode at ~85wpc.  or 2/3 pentode-1/3 triode at ~120wpc.  or full pentode at 150wpc.  and, you can select negative feedback at 0db, -2db, -4db, or -8db, at any of the triode/pentode settings.  you can also swap out power tubes, using 5881's, 6550's, kt88's, el34's, etc.  (there's a specific mod for this, but according to the folks at mesa, you can also do it w/an unmodded amp, but you have to be more careful w/the bias settings.)

this is a great sounding amp that will work w/almost any speaker.  it has the sonic beauty of tubes, but will also drive difficult-to-drive speakers that might normally want a solid state amp.  no longer made, expect to pay ~$2k for one in good shape on the used market.  mesa boggie will still support mods & repairs on it as well...  i would look for one that has a slotted chassis - these later iterations offer better cooling.  either way, slotted chassis or solid chassis, they are built like tanks, & wery reliable...

http://mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Out_of%20_Production/The_Baron/the_baron.htm


doug s.

Hi Doug S.,

Sounds like that amp would be worth looking in to with its versatility. The fact that it sounds good is even better.

Ray

[bunky]

I modded my Balanced Audio Technology VK60 tube power amplifier by replacing the Jensen PIO tube coupling capacitors with V-cap TFTF teflon capacitors of the same value.The results were nothing short of amazing and this amp is staying in my two channel rig and i plan on getting another one and modding it also and running them as a pair of 120wpc monoblocks. thanks....WCW III

[Les Lammers]

I believe its 90 wpc at 8 ohms, but slicing through Srajan's prose takes 3 readings for me.  I really get tired of flabby, poorly organized writing.  He nevers really relates any facts the directly relate to the performance of the amp (maybe that's why its a "preview"), just price, Alex's background, and discussion of his CDP mods.

Agreed, *I* quit reading his reviews. Also, I would not pay $5K for a modded no-name amp that sells for $600 un-modded...period. No offense to anyone but I just don't see the value or logic.

[some young guy]

I believe its 90 wpc at 8 ohms, but slicing through Srajan's prose takes 3 readings for me.  I really get tired of flabby, poorly organized writing.  He nevers really relates any facts the directly relate to the performance of the amp (maybe that's why its a "preview"), just price, Alex's background, and discussion of his CDP mods.

Agreed, *I* quit reading his reviews. Also, I would not pay $5K for a modded no-name amp that sells for $600 un-modded...period. No offense to anyone but I just don't see the value or logic.

If you were you hear this amp for yourself, you might understand where the "value and logic" lye. I didn't think too much of it either... until I heard it. Then I couldn't get one fast enough!

[Les Lammers]

I am glad you like it and I truly meant no personal offense. I was just speaking for myself and more to the 6 Moons warm up, let me introduce you to, the non-review. I am truly tired of that kind of writing and pre review sales hype.

[doug s.]

Hi Doug S.,

Sounds like that amp would be worth looking in to with its versatility. The fact that it sounds good is even better.

Ray

ray, if the mesa baron amp didn't sound fantastic, i wouldn't be keeping mine, or recommending it, regardless of how wersatile it was.   

doug s.

[Bill Baker]

Also, I would not pay $5K for a modded no-name amp that sells for $600 un-modded...period.

 Wow, $5K. I didn't realize someone else was going inside this amp. I already had the BADA scheduled to hit the benches soon to go through it an come up with some upgrades do to consumer request. I don't think I could come up with a $4400 upgrade if I tried. It would be one heck of a margin though.

[Brown]

Also, I would not pay $5K for a modded no-name amp that sells for $600 un-modded...period.

 Wow, $5K. I didn't realize someone else was going inside this amp. I already had the BADA scheduled to hit the benches soon to go through it an come up with some upgrades do to consumer request. I don't think I could come up with a $4400 upgrade if I tried. It would be one heck of a margin though.

Then, my dear Dr Watson, give it a go.

brown

[Bill Baker]

Then, my dear Dr Watson, give it a go.

 That is already in the works but nowhere near that kind of price point.