What do you like about your tube amplifier?

Niteshade · « **on:** 10 Jun 2010, 11:55 pm »

Speed, accuracy, projection, other capabilities...etc....

I know some like a dark or more subdued tonality- what's you take?

What's special about your tube amp that no other technology could offer?

rivieraranch · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 02:35 am »

My DECWARE MINI TORII amp. The fact that it can be used with 6V6, 6L6, or other similar power tubes; it can use a 12AU7 or 12AT7, or 12AX7 input tube; also you can use anywhere from an OA3-OD3 voltage regulator on the outputs to change the sound. The number of tube combinations is nearly infinite. It is dual mono for perfect stereo separation.

ken · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 04:33 pm »

I'm still luvin my Tad 1000s. They're highly involving and have the balls when called upon for demanding passages. They also sound great at low listenting levels as well. Not sure if this is unique to tad or not but you can under bias the first two tubes and then over bias the 3rd and 4th for class A operation for the first 10 watts or so. I almost forgot to mention the 22 step variable feedback control which I find to be extremely useful

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 04:48 pm »

Always wondered about those TAD1000's....they had a lot of what I look for in tube amps.

I'm just thrilled with my vintage Dukane 6CD6 monoblocks (think, very high current swings using unusual TV sweep tubes)...but the TAD1000's were always interesting topology to me.

John

JimJ · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 04:57 pm »

They haven't blown up yet, I'm happy about that

ken · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 05:32 pm »

John,
I'm very happy with the the Tads, and they accept all the standard power tubes except KT 66's (which I found out the hard way) I plan on keeping mine for a very long time. It's a shame they're no longer available and I rarley see any used ones up for sale. I would like to hear a good set amp some day though, I understand with the right speakers they're very addicting.

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 05:33 pm »

There really is something special about my AudioPrism Debut II amp. Its unlike any other tube amp I've heard to date and I've heard some good ones.

It has a very neutral balance in my opinion. It doesn't immediately seduce you with the midrange like an overly euphonic or tubey sounding amp would, but yet its midrange is pure, uncolored, detailed and smooth. The bass though is unbelievable, especially for a 15 watt/channel amp as I am using it. It sounds like it has more balls in the bass than my UcD 400s.

I think the reason for this is the bass isn't overdamped like it is with the UcDs. The bass though is still very articulate, bouncy, delineated with no apparent overhang. It hits really hard and deep when called upon. I find this quality hard to find in most every tube amp I've heard to date. I am convinced it has to do with the regulated supplies.

Regulation when done right is the key to good bass from everything I've read. I am not sure the main B+ is regulated but all other voltages are from what I've gathered.

The other trick is in using the notorious 12AT7 instead of the usual 12AX7/12AU7. The result is enough gain to drive the FB loop, enough gm not to slew and a spectral balance than when mixed via IM creates a NET harmonic profile that is pleasing rather than the typical dry/harsh odd order dominated HD profile. This is similar to Western Electric's Feedforward Harmonic Equalizer.

SteveFord · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 11:06 pm »

What I like about these is their power, monster soundstage, dynamics and the way they bring the sound of a concert into my living space. They have the sound that I'd always been searching for.
They glow in the dark, too.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 11:57 pm »

I only have a tube line stage, an ARC LS7. My speakers are active with onboard SS amps, so there ya go. Plan to marry it with a tube phono pre one of these days. Before that I had a Counterpoint SA5 pre amp with an outboard tube power supply (still got it but it needs fixin). Before that a Van Alstine modified Dyna PAS and a Stereo 70 with passive speakers. The last SS pre and power amp that really impressed me were from Spectral driving some Fried's and Acoustat 1+1's in different friend's systems. And they were fine systems, too. I like the body and life in my tube experience and three dimensional space.

zybar · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 12:21 am »

That it doubles as a space heater and raises my electricity bill...oh wait, that's what I don't like.

All kidding aside, my Atma-Sphere MA-1 amps are my favorite amps out of everything I have ever owned or tried for two simple reasons.

1. They make music and make me want to listen and listen and listen
2. See #1

Ok, why do they push my buttons?

- They are incredibly detailed and transparent without being harsh or artificial
- They can make a female voice raise the hairs on the back of my neck - midrange is open and pure
- Transients have snap, percussion moves at breakneck speed, cymbals have a lifelike, steely sheen, and the pluck of a guitar or bass string is so convincingly real...
- Great at providing layers of music and allowing the texture and shadings of the music to shine

George

Stercom · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 12:56 am »

Tube amps? Its all about the tone and balance of the music!

nunhgrader · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 02:42 am »

I love the fact that I met a really nice and talented man named Mr. Vincent whose work I admired and his generosity and personality is nice change to today's harsh world!

On to the amp - this baby is beautiful and sounds awesome! I'm still breaking this puppy in but, I love what I am hearing and I am totally surprised at how powerful this baby is!

decal · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 03:03 am »

It just looks so damn cool!! Oh yeah,it sounds great too.

Tyson · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 03:20 am »

SS owners talk about accuracy, tube owners talk about enjoyment. 'Nuff said.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 05:23 am »

Quote from: zybar on 12 Jun 2010, 12:21 am

That it doubles as a space heater and raises my electricity bill...oh wait, that's what I don't like.

All kidding aside, my Atma-Sphere MA-1 amps are my favorite amps out of everything I have ever owned or tried for two simple reasons.

1. They make music and make me want to listen and listen and listen
2. See #1

Ok, why do they push my buttons?

- They are incredibly detailed and transparent without being harsh or artificial
- They can make a female voice raise the hairs on the back of my neck - midrange is open and pure
- Transients have snap, percussion moves at breakneck speed, cymbals have a lifelike, steely sheen, and the pluck of a guitar or bass string is so convincingly real...
- Great at providing layers of music and allowing the texture and shadings of the music to shine

George

Oh yeah, and what he said, as best I am getting or have ever gotten. Maybe, someday, Geo.

I forgot to mention that I owned and partied with a Precision Fidelity C7 pre, also.

Pez · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 05:30 am »

There's very little I dislike about a great SET amp.

A huge benefit is tubes and DIY go together beautifully!

2bigears · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jun 2010, 05:21 pm »

those Atma-sphere MA-1's look interesting and i would love to give them a spin,but 1000W's burnin' kinda freaks me out a weee bit.

are the cheaper to buy Quicksilver V4's in the same league ???? i would like to try those also....

zybar · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Jun 2010, 08:52 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears on 13 Jun 2010, 05:21 pm

those Atma-sphere MA-1's look interesting and i would love to give them a spin,but 1000W's burnin' kinda freaks me out a weee bit. are the cheaper to buy Quicksilver V4's in the same league ???? i would like to try those also....

Not unless they have gotten a whole let better since the last time I heard them.

George

2bigears · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Jun 2010, 09:42 pm »

so is that 1000w peak draw,cause that's a lotta juice.there is a set on the Gon right now ????

zybar · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jun 2010, 09:57 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears on 13 Jun 2010, 09:42 pm

so is that 1000w peak draw,cause that's a lotta juice.there is a set on the Gon right now ????

Unfortunately, that's just turning them on.

George