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Old or new gear

Greetings,

I am trying to buy my first tube amplifier. Budget is about $2500-3500. I am not very good at doing electrical work myself and do not intend to restore/repair/update the equipment myself. No time for another hobby. 

Looking to get something very reliable to use for years to come. I tend to keep my equipment for a long time, and do not upgrade things frequently. Trouble free listening is the goal. US made (or Japan or western Europe) would be really nice. Looked at Chinese models, but decided not to go that route, although there are many very good quality brands with great reviews. The top of the line Chinese units are not much cheaper than US made ones, through.

For that money, I am looking for something like quicksilver mid monos or decware MK4, brand new, both made in US, with good reviews as far as build quality and reliability goes.
.
Alternatively, there are amps here on Agon, such as CJ, Cary, VPI 299d, VTL de luxe 300,  VAC rebaissance 30/30 MK3, all used, about 10-15 years old, some in mint conditions with low hours, under or around 3K.

I am looking more for good sound and reliability than a specific amp type (pp vs SE) or output tube design.

Any advice? Again, not looking to resell but this is always a consideration as well (never know what the future holds). Main concern is quality and long term reliability.
Are there better transformers, caps, resistors etc... now than 10-15 years ago? Again, not looking to upgrade anything myself and do not have the time to spend in repair shops.

Thanks for your advice.


sophie999
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
1,076 posts
 
I own the Quicksilver Mid Monos, they are great amps.    Serious value for your money, rock solid reliable, excellent support should you need it.  These aren't my first tube amps, I've owned several.... but they are the best I've ever owned.   And they are the only ones I haven' t had to repair or put a soldering iron to when a tube failed.   I had two tube failures, one I just replaced the tube and good to go.  The second time replaced tube and mains fuse.  No damage..  Great amp for first time tube owner.  

I have used them with Revel monitors and currently using them with Klipsch Heresy III and they are an awesome combination.   I would buy another QS product without hesitation.   
sophie999 OP
25 posts
 

@oddiofyl That's what I am leaning towards. Much cheaper than Decware, which I also really liked, PTP wired, and US made, as opposed to PL, which is also great from what I read.

Which preamp are you using with them, if anything?

Also, PL says they have protective circuit to avoid damage when tubes fail as well as tube decline indicator. Does QS have protective circuit? I know it has LED biasing indicator. Does this work as a early tube failure indicator?

Thanks

sunrayjack12's avatar
sunrayjack12
33 posts
 
There are some reputable people out there restoring Vintage Fisher Amps, any Fisher  tube amp will bring a smile to your face and pleasure to your ears.
I recommend a Fisher 500C, super great tube receiver that can be had restored for 2000 to 2500 I would think.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
1,076 posts
 
Im using them with a conrad - johnson Classic 2SE and they are a great combo.

The bias LED just barely illuminates when it is drawing around 40mA . I put a VHT bias tool between both tubes and the amp and Mike recommended 50 mA which is achieved once the LED is bright. So my meter confirmed the LED’ s are pretty good as a "meter". He told me when I first got the amps that if you can look directly over the LED in low ambient light , that when the LED just starts to glow, you are biased conservatively for longer tube life. QS support is top notch, one of the best I have ever encountered.

As far as a tubes decline indicator, I just press the button every once in a while to make sure the bias doesn’t run away. One thing about these amps ,tjey hold their bias rock steady if you use quality matched tubes, you really only need a matched pair but why not get a matched quad for consistency through both units.

Made in USA , sound great, reliable.....
soundermn's avatar
soundermn
243 posts
 
Not trying to push you in any particular direction, but I have Primaluna Dialogue HP Integrated, and I love it.  The sound with F208s is spectacular.
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