Need help pls (sorry double post)

chino · « **on:** 1 Dec 2003, 11:02 pm »

Hi !
I'm new here

and I need some guidance. Just two things. Preamp + Amp strictly for 2-ch audio. My budget would be around $1000-2000. I currently have Axiom's M80Ti speakers. I like all kinds of music--acoustic (eg Sara K) + electronic (eg Telefon Tel Aviv). I'm lost between getting into tubes and solid state As a guitarist I played thru tube and solid state amps and I prefer tubes amps but hate the noise/hum sometimes but damn they are have life/character however some solid state are good though. I dont know how it applies to home audio but that's just my taste when playing. As for audioo equipment so far I've had sonys denons adcoms but the one I have now is NAD 320 integrated which I really like compare to all that. But I need a little bit more oomph/power to drive my speakers

A first in my next upgrade list would be power amp then the preamp. I can always use the NAD as a preamp first. Not a whole lot of audio equipment I can test here thru local dealers so I guess I just have to take your words for it and try them. I like that Noh preamp from Bent audio so simple looking. nOrh ACA 2b Philly audio Etesian Transcendence GG preamp to name a few. As for power amp: Odysseys line look so simple too. NADs 218THX S200. I dont know. Pls help I'm going nuts. Thanks in advance.

pjchappy · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Dec 2003, 11:10 pm »

Look into AVA amps. Just do a little searching on this site and you'll read a lot of good things about them. When I start my upgrade once I start working, I will likely get their Fet Valve 550ex. . .it is a hybrid design (Solid State and tubes). . .250 w/ch. $2099 www.avahifi.com

I'm not sure if your total budget was $2000, or just for the amp. If so, they have another line of amps which are supposed to be great, too.

As for preamp, AVA makes those too. I have also heard good things about the IRD-Audio Purist pre-amp (again, look into this site for info). http://www.ird-thailand.com/products/purist/purist.htm $665

p

chino · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 08:21 am »

Thanks man. I already like it man I'm sold so easy

Yeah I like that Fet Valve 550 but then no $ left for preamp

I could get the amp first. As for the Purist it looks elegantly simple I like it but I like the idea of having the same brand components. Nice sunburst strat btw

maybe if I sell mine I could... hmmm nah thats my beloved axe

I'll wait for my bonus

Woodsea · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 09:06 am »

Have you looked at AKSA goods?
They have a large following, though it is DIY.
There is a thread that can possibly build your confidence and preparedness for such an endeavor http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=5746

I have read nothing but positives regarding Hugh's designs. The amps and pre's will get you under 2K as well. You will have a hybrid system when all is drilled and done

Here is a picture of a real nice GK, by RegisB

How about an amp by Martin

[

rosconey · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 10:54 am »

spend a grand for the odyssey 100 wpc amp and the new pre, use the other grand for somthing else

JLM · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 11:58 am »

I always wonder why folks say they need more power, when extended exposure to more than 85 dB will result in permanent hearing loss. For speakers of average efficiency (86 - 89 dB/w/m) in normal residental rooms (say 2,000 cu. ft.) and realizing the room gain plus the gain from 2 speakers roughly equals the loss from sitting more than 1 meter away means that you're listening to less than 1 watt per channel (plus peaks).

Your NAD has "soft clipping" so you should have sufficient headroom for peaks (that are 10 dB for jazz/rock and up to 30 dB for symphonic music). I had a NAD 3020 and with average efficiency speakers I had more volume than anyone could handle. Even took the setup to a 20,000 cu. ft. chapel and it made glorious organ music (the speakers were capable of 105 dB at 17 Hz). I lost the NAD to divorce and moved on.

What do you think that you are missing (that more power would solve)?

Notice that the advice you're getting is solid state. That's because affordable + power + tubes is mutually exclusive (pick two O.K., but not all three). Also many tube amps lack a full solid grip at low bass output. Tubes naturally "soft clip" and some say because of that tubes watts are double of solid state watts. CIAudio, IRD, AKSA, and Odessey all offer good solutions here at audiocircle in your price range, but are all solid state.

Several good tube options exist in your price range, but offer little more power than you have now (if that's the real issue).

TIC · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 12:55 pm »

Well, I checked the Axiom Website and they list the M80ti at 91 db eff. For me, that would mean that a high powered amp is not necessary. The good news is that lower powered amps are very affordable.

OK, since you mentioned "simple" at least twice in some of your post, here's an idea........INTEGRATED AMP!!!! Save yourself the hassle of interconnects, extra shelf space, scratches on equipment from stacking components, etc.

Here are 2 EXCELLENT choices for integrated amps.

Cayin TA-30 30 watt/channel Push-Pull Tube integrated.

You can buy one of these for $499 brand new and it is sonically and visually stunning at that price. I've owned lots of amps and I've sold many of them because of poor value. Well, this one is staying. It is the real deal !! See the website and call Paul at BizzyBee Audio for info.

http://www.2baudio.com/.

Plinius 8100/8150/8200 100/150/175 watt Solid State Integrated amp

Plinius makes some FINE integrated amps. I found a great deal on an 8100 and bought it for a friend. He Loves it!! I later found a good deal on a used 8200 and bought it for myself. Fine amps!! BTW, since you have 91 db eff. speakers, I say, save your money and buy the 100 watt/ch. 8100. All three Plinius's sound identical (or nearly). BTW, there is a Plinius 8100 for sale on Audiogon for $950 right now.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstran&1074517426
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstran&1074367902

For power amps, I've owned the Monarchy SM-70's and think they sound great. For $700 you can usually buy a pristine pair of used SM-70s. They will work as a 25 watt/channel stereo amp or can be bridged for 70 watts each. Heck, you could even buy a single one first for $350 and see if its 25 watts was enough to work for you. If not, buy another and bridge for 70 watts. These amps also work in balanced mode, so if you buy a pre-amp with balanaced outputs, you can use them that way too. Really nice sounding for the price.

Enjoy,

TIC

chino · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 01:59 pm »

wow thanks for all the input appreciate it. I'm a complete newbie I dunno nothing get easily influenced by such things like more power

when all that counts is just listen & enjoy music. My NAD isnt that bad imo I enjoyed it very much thats why it has been with me for a long time. Its just that I wonder if theres anything better... cant help it. I like integrated like the NAD S200 just one knob no treble/bass nothing (I've never use them anyways in mine) but it just cost too much. So I thought maybe I could get something as satisfying as my current NAD or even better. Something different for a change. Well I never demo-ed tubes before except through my guitar amp. I like it compare to solid state but I know thats totally different when it comes to home audio. Heck I dont even like playing the bass using tube amp it dont seem to sound right. Maybe as for home audio I can get the best of both worlds I dont know. But then again I have to compromise due to my budget

If solid state all around or tube/solid sounds good enough for me and wont cost me an arm and a leg I'll take it. Yeah life is beautiful we can never be satisfied I suck it up. Thanks guys this forum is helpful. Back to my current NAD... for now

Beezer · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 02:18 pm »

Given your speakers, I'd consider the Jolida integrated amps. They have both all tube and hybrid integrateds that should fit the bill, and should cost less than a grand. Response Audio, which carries Jolida, has a forum here, and proprietor Bill Baker seems like the helpful type.

I'd also consider a sub to fill out the sound. The Adire Rava at $399 is a worthy contender for this job:

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?products_id=165

DIY Cable has a forum here also. Jeez, I'm detecting a trend here...

These are just suggestions, but I think in both cases you can audition the equipment and send it back if you don't like it.

Good luck!
Beez

AC_fan · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 06:13 pm »

Or take a look at the Kavent hybrid S11/P1100. I own these as well as the CD-831 CD player. The result is outstanding when driving a pair of Music Goddess from Aurum Cantus. Here is a link:
http://www.kellsieavdesign.com/products/S11-P1100.htm

JLM · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Dec 2003, 10:12 pm »

Oh, so now we're looking outside audiocircle? (Just kidding.)

From what I've heard I'd second the Cayin TA30, but I thought the price was a bit higher than $500. It's seems very well built, and can switch between a 4 wpc SET and a 30 wpc push pull amp by simply pulling out 2 of it's 4 EL34 tubes.

Hybrid amps are another promising idea. The Jolida hybrids (301, 1501, 1501R, and 1701) are quite inexpensive and Dan Wright has modded them (cost would still be within your range). I've heard the 301 RAM with the Omega Super 3 at 2003 MAF and didn't care much for it. The Unison Unico is a most promising product, stunning looks and apparently very well made. Check recent 6 moons reviews for the factory version and two modded versions (prices run $1,200 - 2,200 but mod v2 has been compared to a $5,000 integrateds). All these amps have tube preamp/solid state power amps.

As a floorstander with lots of drivers I'd be surprised if the M80ti speakers need a sub, but it would take a bit of the load off the amp.

TIC · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Dec 2003, 02:49 am »

JLM,

It's True, you can buy the Cayin TA-30 for $499!!!!!!

I bought mine from Paul at Bizzy Bee Audio. He regularly has them at this price, but the reason for the low, low price is that the outer shipping box may have some slight damage. No matter, they are double boxed and packaged VERY WELL, being fully surrounded by structural foam.

At the $499 price, none of Paul's usual mods are preformed, i.e., no external bias adjustment points, no "focus" mod (variable feedback), no sub-out, but for $499, it just doesn't matter. It is an excellent value.

I'm a frugal Audiophile. I built my Bottlehead Paramours when the kit was on sale for $399 last year. I shop AudiogoN HARD for values. But, honestly, the Cayin TA-30 at $499 is THE BEST audio bargain I've seen/heard in a long, long time.

BTW, I am currently using mine in the SE mode. It sounds excellent, but only delivers 4 watt/channel in this mode, vs the 30 watts/ch. in P-P. But, it sounds very strong for 4 watts, driving my DeCapos to WAY TOO LOUD volume!!! It also sounds very good in P-P mode. I think it is FAR superior to the Anthem Int.1, Anthem Amp 1 and ASL AQ1003 that I previously owned. Believe it or not, it gives the Paramours a serious run for the money when stock and may even be better with some NOS tubes and inexpensive mods from Bizzy Bee.

Enjoy,

TIC

chino · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Dec 2003, 08:33 am »

wow I'm overwhelmed!

so many choices. That Cayin TA-30 Unison Unico I like it! 2 knobs nothing fancy simple like its there saying Im here to do my job. No my M80Ti is good as it is no subs needed thats me. That Cayin looks good too $499 means I can get something else like CD player...no here I go again lets not get to the subject. The Etesian+Khartago combo looks like a good deal. Anybody have these? Thanks for the info and links guys.[/img]