2. amps-preamps
  3. 1150219942

how would an entry-level tube system compare?

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice on the following situation as I move into the tube world for the first time.

My current non-audiophile, lo-fi system: an old Sony 100W receiver and JBL S36 monitor speakers. 75% of the music I listen to is driving and bass-heavy (techno, house, electronica, hip-hop, rock). On this system, the sound is OK, but I can crank it (I mean _really_ crank it), which I like to do, and the bass is there, which I need.

I'm now planning a move into the hi-fi world. Although my musical tastes would suggest solid-state and big watts, I'm very curious about tubes. For budget and space reasons, I'm looking at integrated tube amps in the <$1500 range (from Cary, Onix, Cayin, Rogue, Eastern Electric, Shanling, VTL, PrimaLuna, and others).

I'm sure any of these tubes systems will take the quality of sound of my music to a new level. My concern is whether they'll be able to match the power, drive, and volume, of my current lo-fi system. Can a <50W tube system shake the house?

As for speakers, I'm still evaluating, but had not necessarily committed to high sensitivity ones. Should that be a requirement?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.
defiantscientist
tvad
9,467 posts
 


06-15-06: Bartokfan
Defiant, you do not need high sensitivity speakers with tube amps, at least not high quality tube amps.
He does if he intends to listen to bass heavy techno, house, and electronica.

Paul, don't you listen to primarily orchestral and jazz on two way monitors?

I'm having a difficult time reconciling how your listening preferences, system and experience relates to the author's listening preferences and system desires.
eagleman6722
217 posts
 
I have a Tube Audio esign-60 with a pair of Vandersteen 2CE signatures. Room size about 12 X 15. Efficiency around 86DB. Using Tung Sol 6550s it can get loud. I listen to classic rock like Aerosmith and Eagles. If you need more power might want to check out the TAD-1000 monoblocks. See the reviews.

I can definitley get satisfying rock solid bass from my set up...

Eagleman
lowfidelity
40 posts
 
I have successfully mated the Sound Quest SQ-88 amplifier (55 watts using 2 KT-88 tubes per channel) with the Von Schweikert VR-4jr (89 dB) and the AAD 2003 (88 dB) among other speakers. The KT-88 tube has great bass control. The combinations above play driving rock music into my approx 20x26 room at house shaking levels. So, in my experience, ~50 KT-88 tube watts is more than adequate for your application even with speakers below 90 dB efficiency.

In addition to the makes you are looking at, appropriate Consonance gear can be found used in your price range. There is a Consonance Reference 880 integrated amp listed right now on Agon at a great price (less than $1000 ... I have no affiliation with the seller). The 880 uses 4 tubes per side producing 70 watts per channel. Put some JJ blue KT-88s in that thing and let 'er rip!! (I wish someone would buy it so I am no longer tempted.)

Enjoy!
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elevick
2,439 posts
 
Did you get an amp?
I had a thought: A hybrid amp.
This would have a tube front end and solid state output.
The small tubes look cool, you can tube roll, it will take some edge off the music and play loud as hell!
All that comes to my mind right now is Moscode but plenty of others are out there. The moscode is/was 300 watts with tube gain.
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