How would you introduce tubes into this SS system?
I have a Rotel RC-1070 preamp and a Parasound HCA-1000 amp driving a pair of NHT Super Two’s. The Super Two’s sensitivity is 87 db (2.83V at 1M), 8 Ohms nominal impedance (3.8 Ohms minimum), and recommended amp power of 25W/ch min. and 175W/ch. max. The Rotel’s output level and impedance are 1V and 100 Ohms, and the Parasound’s input impedance is 33 kiloOhms. The budget is around $2000 for either a tube preamp, tube amp, or integrated tube/hybrid amp. I like the sonic qualities of tube equipment, but I don’t want to sacrifice too much bass. I should also mention that I use this system primarily for listening to vinyl on a Music Hall mmf-5.1 turntable. Should I replace the Rotel, the Parasound, or both? Thanks for your opinions.
Soix, I don't take that as mean. I'm not the defensive type. I appreciate you taking the time to chime in. My gear is the best I could do 15 years ago, and now I can do better. That amp has some impressive specs and reviews. I messaged the seller, because he states that only buyers with good feedback need apply. I'm new on this site, so I've got zero feedback. Unfortunately, it would be close to a 9 hour drive for the speakers, so that's not an option. I would need a phono preamp for the Cayin though. Any thoughts on that?
If you love me you will come. Joseph calling.... That will be a trip you wont regret!!! Unless you don't. See if the seller will meet you 1/2 way!! If not Negotiate the price down to cover shipping. Send a friend up. Ask your mom? Just do it!!!
Before you buy a Cayin product be aware that they no longer have a USA distributor and the manufacturer in China will not communicate with users. I have two dead A100T integrated amps that sit unused for want of repairs/parts availability. FWIW.
He used to be the distributor. He is the one who wouldn’t repair nor could he get the parts I needed for my service tech. His intentions may have been good but I got the impression that Cayin in China couldn’t care less. FWIW I think that support for product has been a major weakness for some Chinese brands in the USA. Cayin isn’t the only one. The USA (ex) distributor for Consonance tells pretty much the same story. I bought the Cayin as they were ’point to point’ and I believed any service tech could handle them, but what I found out dealing thru VSA was they/ I could not get a schematic (or just wouldn’t pass it on, same difference to me) and were unable to get the parts I needed from China. So I have two amps which can operate with a single input since I bypassed the input selection chip/remote control, etc. But hey, they ’work’ like a basic amp with a volume control if I ever need one. The nail in the coffin for me, if that all isn’t enough, is that both amps failed due to a blown heat resistor after about 4 years of operation and should have been easily repairable.
I made an offer on the speakers, and he's going to ship them! The amp seems great, but now I'm a little gun-shy about the lack of tech support and parts. You all have been extremely helpful so far (except secretguy, but that seems to be his M.O.), so thank you for your help!
In your search for an alternative integrated amp don't overlook the Primaluna Dialogue series. The older Dialogue 2's are easily in your price range. The newer ones are probably obtainable for something in the mid 20's. I've seen the 2's up for sale for $1600 on the used market which would make them, for me anyway, an attractive choice.
Well done with the speakers. I hope he's shipping in the original boxes.
According to Stereophile, these speakers are tube friendly. Even though their sensitivity measurements were only 84.5dB/2.83V/m, impedance only dropped to about 6 ohms in the lower mids and much higher in bass frequencies. So, it's an easy to drive speaker. You should have no trouble finding a tube amp to pair with the Josephs.
I h as ve been down the same road. In my opinion you should start eith a tube preamp. That is the best wsy to introduce tubes inyonyour system. Will still have the bottom end that we all love. I recommend a Conrad Johnson PV12. Great smp for a great price. The newer PV amps are fantastic also just more money
How about a Rogue Audio Sphinx integrated tube + SS? Fully supported etc, and can be found used. Have an audiophile friend driving his Maggies with one of these. He's tried more expensive gear but likes the Sphinx better! http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_sphinx.htm
Congrats on the speakers (if it works out)! Might be worth a call to the guy with the Cayin to see if he has any thoughts on parts and service, and he may be willing to lower the price to compensate. If he's had the amp for a while and it's been reliable, it bodes well going forward.
I've heard the McCormack with the RM22s and they're a very good match, and you can upgrade the amp later if you want to bring it to an even higher level. Combined with a good tubed preamp you'd have one sweet sounding system.
I bought a Shiit Freya (factory direct) and installed some vintage tubes in it. I think it's a great pre You can try it with the stock tubes and return it if not happy Nothing to loose except 5% restock made in USA 5 year warranty
Buy a used Modulus 3A preamp, add some new tubes, and you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. Great preamp with an even greater phone stage. Preamp and tubes will set you back less than $2000. Output impedance will not be a problem with this preamp, so no bass problem.
I have heard your components one time or another, and in MHO your preamp is the weakest link. Also, based on my experience tube preamp/ss amp gives you more tube goodness than vice-versa.
Thanks, everyone. I'm still digesting all of this, and now I'm contemplating more expensive options as well (go figure). The Primaluna Dialogue Premium looks really well designed and well made. I'm just not sure that I want tubes on the output stage. I don't live where I can listen to one first. Anybody have any experience with these, and have any thoughts on how it might suit the Joseph Audio rm22si's? Particularly in the lower freq.'s?
This is Steve of VAS. I am still the US distributor of Cayin products and I still support the warranty on their products as long as they are US models. The products that are not covered under warranty are 220v models as I can’t get the parts for. However, for newbee, I can still repair your A-100T as long as they are 110V. If need them repaired please call me immediately. Cayin offers many great tube amplifiers that match your system and fit your budget. If you have any questions are are interested in a model, please contact me at 732-888-3288 from 9-5pm EST.
Jackalope, Steve wrote to me and I responded. I've agreed to send him these amps for repair if he can take the project on. I'll let you know what happens.
Not sure if these would be outside your budget, but I know they’ll sound fantastic with the RM22s, and the bass will be sublime as will the imaging/soundstage...
Well, I've done the thing and gotten the stuff. Ended up with the AR LS16mkll, a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe Edition, and the Joseph Audio RM22si's. Haven't listened for more than a few records as of now, but the combo sounds fantastic. Thanks everyone!
For the record Steve at VAS repaired one of the two amps that I mentioned earlier at a reasonable price and effectively. Turn around time was good. No problems. Apparently I was wrong about his no longer being a distributor for Cayin.
@jackalope -- any updates? If you haven't already, try pulling the Josephs 4-5 feet into the room if possible, with the speakers aimed at the outside of your shoulders. Magic starts to happen there.
I don't have the space to pull them away from the wall that far, but they're sitting about 1-1/2 feet from it. Once the AR has warmed up, everything shines! Outstanding clarity with great warmth and punch. The speakers arrived with some hefty damage to one of the plinths. The shipper didn't remove them before shipping, and FedEx packed them horribly ($260 for packing and shipping). They were also missing the feet. I fixed the plinth (I used to build wooden boats, so I'm kinda handy like that), and I found the original feet from Joseph Audio's vendor. Filled each of them up with 25 lbs. of sand, and wow! Oh, and after a couple months of diligent pestering, I made sure that FedEx was held accountable, and was able to squeeze 400 clams out of them. So overall, everything is great! One other significant improvement: deer hide platter mat. I couldn't believe it myself. Quite an upgrade from the felt.
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