2. amps-preamps
  3. 125918-86283

Looking for my first tube amplifier, help appreciated.

Greetings everybody, old school audio gear head here just deciding to begin the search for my first tube amplifier. I am running a Denon DN-A7100 preamp (xlr outputs), a Rotel RB981 on my Chane A3rx-c mains (8 ohm speakers crossed at 80hz), NAD 216 THX bridged on my JL Audio 13w3v3 8 ohm subwoofer in a sealed enclosure (also crossed at 80hz by the Denon).

I have over 300 gigs of wave file CD audio and enjoy everything from new rock to the Beatles.

I am looking to upgrade my system, of course one piece at a time, and really want to start with a tube amp. As a former guitarist I am a big fan of tube amplification so want to give it a whirl on my home stereo.

I was looking at the Audio Research VS60 but it doesn’t have XLR inputs. I enjoy high volumes so am trying to go with as much power as I can for my hard earned dollar. Yes, if money was no object I would drop 10k on a class A monster but that’s not gonna happen lol.

So I am hoping for some recommendations for a reliable and great sounding tube amplifier that has AT LEAST 50w per channel, has XLR inputs and is priced under $2000 on the used market. All recommendations are appreciated, thanks so much! Mike

128x128growboxguy
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I'd think a used BAT VK-60 would be right in your wheelhouse, less than $2K and 60 wpc.
Caution: They do run quite hot.
adg101
408 posts
 
ARC VT50. They don't come up for sale often because it's a great little amp for the money. Very musical amp.
swampwalker's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
There was a pair of atmasphere m60s posted a while ago pretty close to that price, IIRC. 
tablejockey
743 posts
 
If you’ve played through tubed guitar amps, you should know a 22 watt Fender Deluxe Reverb is plenty loud and can keep up with a heavy handed drummer.

A 20-30 watt amp through some average sensitivity speakers will do the job blasting Zeppelin or the Stones.
Unless your setup is in a huge ballroom, forget the notion you need massive amounts of tubed power. But, If you MUST have the wattage requirement those suggestions are probably a good start.



steakster
720 posts
 
The sensitivity of your speakers is 87.5db. Borderline tube friendly. Much depends on the impedance curve of the speakers - and the impedance matching of the preamp out to the amp input. 50 watts might play plenty loud - if the impedance matches up. The question is how good will it sound - especially in the upper bass region - above the 80hz of your subwoofer crossover. The thwack of a kickdrum lives around there.  Will the impact be firm or soft?   I’ve been down this road before. Highly recommend an in-home trial before committing those hard earned dollars. Many variables involved.  
More to discover