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

Showing 4 responses by tvad

Can a <50W tube system shake the house?
Unless it's mated with a high efficiency loudspeaker...like 104db Klipsch, then the answer is no.

You are going to give up the whomp that you require for your bass heavy music.
Hard Rock, techno, rap go with ss.
Bartokfan (Threads | Answers)
I disagree. It depends on the watts produced by the tube amp, and the design of the amp.

My VAC Phi 110/110 (110 wpc. push/pull) is excellent on rock, and has solid bass. The 140 wpc Wolcott Audio P280-S and the Dodd Audio 120 monoblocks would probably be other good bets. There are others, also.

There are too many variables to allow lumping tube amps into one pile and SS into another pile.

However, Defiantscientist specifically asked about <50 wpc tube amps for bass heavy music, and in this instance, he is going to need high efficiency loudspeakers, or a solid state amp.


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.