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First Tube Amp

I have been listening to a 90's SS amp(200 wpc @ 8ohms) for 25 years and thought I would finally give a tube amp a try.

I ordered a $500-800 chinese push pull(40 wpc) integrated tube amp, with 4 El34 tubes, and  2 12AX7, and 2 12AU7 tubes. 

I figured this would introduce me to the so-called "tube-sound", perhaps an exaggerated version, that I have been reading about on this forum, then after a week of exposure, most likely return it for a full refund and decide if I want to go down the hole further with more prestigious versions.

To my surprise, I am floored by the quality of sound it produces. I wasn't expecting this at all. Initially, I thought it had some distortion of the high frequencies and a bloated low end but after 75 hours of break-in this essentially disappeared. The bass is thunderous, contrary to the limited reviews on the internet. The quiet passages are dead silent. I am hearing very different interpretations of CD's that I have listened to for years(classical) on my SS amp. Particularly when single instruments are played the sound is unbelievably sweet. Pizzicato is more forward. Part of this new experience I owe to the newly acquired speakers, which have opened up a sensitivity to recordings that I have not known to exist - I hear musician movements and breaths in the orchestra at 98.82dB 2.83V@1m .

I am struggling with returning this amp, in the midst of a paradigm shift: chinese junk has become on par with high end, how can it get better than this? What would other types of tube amps of better quality offer? How would other types of tubes("rolling") sound. How would a SET amp sound different(a 300b SET). A PL(also chinese made) with an array of tunes versus some of the boutique models that have half as many tubes?

Thanks for your help.




recluse
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
Which Chinese integrated are you using? Maybe there is no reason to change at this point in time.
mrdecibel
1,244 posts
 
@recluse. I am also interested in the specific unit you selected, as there are many available. Thx, MrD
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
I am struggling with returning this amp, in the midst of a paradigm shift: chinese junk has become on par with high end, how can it get better than this? What would other types of tube amps of better quality offer?
A Chinese amp is usually made from lower quality parts, if what we've been seeing is any example.

As to how much better it can get, if you understand that tubes can indeed bring a lot to the table, then as a warning: the sky is the limit.

Quik Tips 101:
SETs have a lot more bloom than push-pull but don't have as much power or as much bandwidth. OTLs dispense with the output transformer and are thus even wider bandwidth and lower distortion, but you have to be more careful about what speaker you use. In all cases, different tubes used can change the sound- often making it considerably better! Also in all cases, avoid 4 ohm speakers if you want the best return from your tube amplifier dollar investment (the same is true of solid state though...). Keep you speaker cables short- longer cables reduce bass impact and resolution. Tubes can fail at inopportune times- keep a few spares on hand. Google is your friend- some amps are far more reliable than others.

Above all have fun and don't make yourself crazy auditioning the various brands and vintages of tubes that work in your amps- get it so that it sounds right and then spend the money on more music. Also, if you like what a tube amp can do, tube preamps do that too!!
jsm71
141 posts
 

Congrats on taking the leap and seeing what all the fuss is about. It took me many decades before I had the nerve to try tubes and ultimately change my system to exploit tubes for all my electronics. I won’t be going back to solid state. It took me three tube amps and two preamps before I nailed down what I believe is best for my speakers. Hopefully you got lucky right out of the gate.

What speakers are you using, and what is the impedance rating for them? Mating speakers to any amp is very important. At 98db efficient you very likely have plenty of power to drive them. If the amp/speaker match makes for great "dance partners", you have solved a challenge some never do. It took me a couple of gear swaps, but I have it now.

You asked about tube amp types. The amp you described (push-pull, 4 EL34, 2 12AX7, 2 12AU7 tubes) is a very common and proven tube amp design. Pricing and sound quality are functions of build quality (circuit boards or hand wired), parts quality including tube choices, labor rates, fit and finish, and always the quality of the output transformers.

SET amps benefit from simpler designs with less parts in the signal path, and a more pure sound from the tubes, although with lower power output. These amps are where owners of very efficient speakers (98db qualifies) often tend to gravitate to, due the beauty of the sound. There is an entire sub-culture that lives in the high efficiency world. I don’t play here. My speakers need 40 or more watts, so I’ve been tied to push-pull designs.

The only other major category of tube amps are OTL designs, amps that eliminate the iron core output transformers, the hardest component to get right. These often offer stunning sound with amazing sound stage, but come with other realities that may bring higher cost into the picture. Not to confuse you further, but David Berning designs also fit into the OTL category in that they also avoid the iron transformers, but use completely different methods to manage the speaker impedance handshake.

All tube amp designs benefit from using better tubes. This will drive you crazy but really turns this into a hobby. Enjoy what you have for now. All the tube types in your amp give you lots of options should you take that step into the abyss.

jsm71
141 posts
 
I like Atmasphere's post better.  Less words.  LOL.
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