Just recently I purchased my first tube integrated amp. I have wanted a tube based system for many years. The two you mentioned I have also considered. My leanings of the two was for the Pacific Creek model.It seemed to have a better built quaility to it from the pics online. Should you go with the Music Angel, don't forget there first Tuesday of the Month sale. In addition to those two I looked at and ended up buying, the SQ-88 from Quest for Sound. A dealer on Audiogon. It is in and around your price range and comes with a remote volume control. I have it paired with some Von Schweikert VRjr4s'. Very musical combo. Steve, there is a super guy to deal with.
Opinions on Music Angel or Pacific Creek Tube Int.
Hi Fellow Tube Integrated Amp. Lovers :
As The New Year is appoarching and tax return time shortly there afterwards I'm looking to add yet another Tube Integrated Amp to my collection. As I've taken the time to research what's available between $800 - $1.300 I've only been able to come across two different amps which have catch my attention. Problem is I more the likely with be obtaing one or the other sound unheard as the aren't any Dealers here in Michigan.
Hence my logic for coming to you guys in dire need of assistance in this matter.
The said two Models in question are:
The Music Angel 500 Mk.III or also called the Sheng Yi/Music Angel XD-SE with either EL34 or KT-88 Tubes for around $1.300 as shown at: Pacificvalve.us
The other is fairly new to these shores which goes by the title: P34i at $1.300 as well and shown @ Pacific Creek.com
Which has had one of its stablemate the SE300i reviewed at AudioTone e-Journal @ Tone.ws and it was after reading this review that I was totally able to understand what said reviewer was taking about first and foremost.
And being able to read between the lines if you will, am totally in agreement with his view that sometimes less costly alternatives can in fact be found that enables us everyday working Consumers an opportunity to obtain something which doesn't require us to take out a second mortage or cost us an arm and a leg on what many would have us think of as the latest and greatest designs. As those in the know will admit - it's all based upon the same designs of old with just a tad bit more modern internal components added enough to offer a better bandwidth if nothing else.
[ Again reading between the lines on what Art Dudley has said in his review of the Lamm Industrial ML 2.1's - I don't see $27.000 worth of Technology inside the amps to justify their price. But oh what a sound. Sound Indeed, but at what cost?. ]
I for one have come to except what many have known for years now - that given the chance the Asian Culture are more then capable of making Audio Components which are very Musical and offers those of us whom love and respect the Hi End sound yet don't have the deepest pockets to obtain said toys an opportunity to listen to properly designed and very Musical Tube based CDP's and/or Tube Amps in the comfort of our own homes without going broke doing so.
Think Jolida CD-100 CD Player here or some of those nice sounding and even nicer prices ASL Tube Amps which have recieved a lot of attention since 2000 or so or how about those Cayin/Prima Luna [ both designed by Spark Audio ] CDP's or amps or Eastern Electric MiniMax Components - Onix Products - Melody Products - Jungson and Quad Speakers and so on.
I don't know about you but I think that these sound damn close to what Music sounds like to my ears.
With that in mind, I'm simply attempting to use this forum as a means to gain more insight into either. Hopefully one of you'll be able to offer your heartfelt opinions on either one or both? Thanks for your consideration on assisting another Fellow Music First - Tube Loving Audiophile.
As The New Year is appoarching and tax return time shortly there afterwards I'm looking to add yet another Tube Integrated Amp to my collection. As I've taken the time to research what's available between $800 - $1.300 I've only been able to come across two different amps which have catch my attention. Problem is I more the likely with be obtaing one or the other sound unheard as the aren't any Dealers here in Michigan.
Hence my logic for coming to you guys in dire need of assistance in this matter.
The said two Models in question are:
The Music Angel 500 Mk.III or also called the Sheng Yi/Music Angel XD-SE with either EL34 or KT-88 Tubes for around $1.300 as shown at: Pacificvalve.us
The other is fairly new to these shores which goes by the title: P34i at $1.300 as well and shown @ Pacific Creek.com
Which has had one of its stablemate the SE300i reviewed at AudioTone e-Journal @ Tone.ws and it was after reading this review that I was totally able to understand what said reviewer was taking about first and foremost.
And being able to read between the lines if you will, am totally in agreement with his view that sometimes less costly alternatives can in fact be found that enables us everyday working Consumers an opportunity to obtain something which doesn't require us to take out a second mortage or cost us an arm and a leg on what many would have us think of as the latest and greatest designs. As those in the know will admit - it's all based upon the same designs of old with just a tad bit more modern internal components added enough to offer a better bandwidth if nothing else.
[ Again reading between the lines on what Art Dudley has said in his review of the Lamm Industrial ML 2.1's - I don't see $27.000 worth of Technology inside the amps to justify their price. But oh what a sound. Sound Indeed, but at what cost?. ]
I for one have come to except what many have known for years now - that given the chance the Asian Culture are more then capable of making Audio Components which are very Musical and offers those of us whom love and respect the Hi End sound yet don't have the deepest pockets to obtain said toys an opportunity to listen to properly designed and very Musical Tube based CDP's and/or Tube Amps in the comfort of our own homes without going broke doing so.
Think Jolida CD-100 CD Player here or some of those nice sounding and even nicer prices ASL Tube Amps which have recieved a lot of attention since 2000 or so or how about those Cayin/Prima Luna [ both designed by Spark Audio ] CDP's or amps or Eastern Electric MiniMax Components - Onix Products - Melody Products - Jungson and Quad Speakers and so on.
I don't know about you but I think that these sound damn close to what Music sounds like to my ears.
With that in mind, I'm simply attempting to use this forum as a means to gain more insight into either. Hopefully one of you'll be able to offer your heartfelt opinions on either one or both? Thanks for your consideration on assisting another Fellow Music First - Tube Loving Audiophile.
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- 8 posts total
- 8 posts total