Sub 500 dollar amp

exojam · « **on:** 10 Jul 2010, 03:36 am »

I was wondering if some of you may be able to recommend a sub 500 dollar tube amp that is actually worth owning. I would only use it for my turn table. The speakers I am using are custom made and probably a true 88 sensitivity. My room is approximately 15’ wide by 25‘ long and 8 foot ceilings. I do like to crank it very loud when I have the chance.

I have never owned a tube amp and would like to give one a try and see how I like it.

Thanks, James

Angaria · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 03:58 am »

I've been very pleased with the opera consonance gear I've owned - they have a few models in that range. The sophia electric el34 is a good bet too, though I'd upgrade the tubes.

Noseyears · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 04:27 am »

Chinese amps maybe?

silver_strings · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 04:32 am »

Check out the audiospace mini and nuera amps IMO theyre one of the biggest bangs for the buck maybe you can get one used, I have a nuera (the one in my avatar) it sounds fantastic.

bunnyma357 · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 04:55 am »

I have 2 tube amps that were both under $500, a Yaqin MC-10L (EL34 50 wpc) and an Onix SP3 (5881 based 38 wpc), both are nice for the money and have decent power. I'd plan on swapping out tubes - fortunately my favorites are very inexpensive. Of the two, the Onix seems better built and sounds a little nicer - they can often be found used for your pricepoint.

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-MC-10L-Push-Pull-Integrated-Stereo-Tube-Amplifier-/140422342177?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item20b1d2e621#ht_2513wt_859

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1283562684&/Onix-SP3-Melody-Mint

Most modern tube amps don't have a built in phono preamp, so you may need to plan on adding that as well, if you don't already have one.

There are a number of other options, but I haven't had any personal experience with them.

Jim C

JimJ · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 05:29 am »

Bottlehead SEX amp, but 88dB/W won't cut it for headbanging with only 2 watts

exojam · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 07:16 am »

Folks,

Thank you very much for the quick and many replies. I will take a look around at the ones mentioned. Also, I do go from the TT to a little Cambridge Audio 640P to my Onkyo at this time.

James

troutboy · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 10:03 am »

Since you have relatively inefficient speakers you might consider finding a tube preamp with a phono section and mate it with a ss amp. I have used this combination a few times and am very pleased with the sound. If you like lots of volume then a tube amp with the power you need will be quite expensive. You can roll the preamp tubes and get the sound you are after. Pretty fun and you will learn a bit as you research the tubes you want to look for.

Best of luck with your purchase.

Mike
Knoxville, TN