1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 1159934683

Tube amp for rock? Newb Questions

Ive been plowing though the posts here and thought this seems like a place I could find some more help.

Anyway, I listen to rock about 80% of the time. Anything from very heavy metal to 80s rock. Some blues, some softer rock, and Pink Floyd, I dont mind jazz or big band or female vocalists, but im off point....mostly rock. My room is about 12X22.

Im upgrading a very mainstream set of components that ive just sort of lived with for years:
Yamaha CDC 905 Changer
JVC 518VBK AV Reciever
Kenwood JL-680 3-Way, 12"main, 92db, 70w, Circa 1989 Speakers

Going to a hi-fi shop of any kind is just not realistic on a regular basis(very remote) so im leaning heavily on the forums and reviews online to gauge a direction.

So far ive tried a Cambridge Azur 340A and now currently demoing a 540A (both along with a set of AudioQuest ICs). Honestly the ICs made a huge leap with my original setup..I was impressed. Anyway, the CA amps are very musical, more imaged and more detailed. However my initial impression is these are not rock amps. Negatives are the guitars are now more "in the back" so to speak, more harshness/treble/brightness, and also a more general laid back sense, almost like the corners of big rock and roll hits are rounded off if that makes sense.

Am I on track that these amps arent rock amps? Or is it possible the speakers are now more exposed for their faults? Ditto the CD player?

To take this further, I feel whats most associated with "rock" or "heavy metal" are punch, power, volume and bass. I agree....to a point. Ill take killer midrange over heavy bass, and what good are punch, power and volume without feel, subtleties and tone?

As a side note, ive been playing guitar for 20+ years, when talking guitar amps, IMO there is nothing to discuss, tube is FAR superior to SS. I particularly like EL84 juiced amps, smooth, warm amd sweet. Is there a correlation with tube audio?

I dont want to start the "what to upgrade first" debate, ive read all the many many opinions....:) Im open to speakers or source, but right now looking at amps(with my system im thinking just pick one and get started...bad idea?)

I know some feel SS is the way to go for a rock amp, but currently im assuming based on my experiences so far and guitar tastes im going to like tube amps. I certainly could be wrong.

I like the talk about the Manley Stingray. Ive read everything every search engine will find about it and talked to Manley as well as some dealers. Any opinions on it for my wants/need? What about the Prologue 2 or the Jolidas? Are then in the same ball park as the Stingray or are we talking a step down?

For speakers ive looked at and considering(based on $$) the Athena F2.2s, Paradigm Espirits, and most others in this price range, but also found some Dali Towers that are slightly more(may get a chance to hear them in a couple of weeks). Based on my future plans/$/listening habits, any recommendations?

I hope tihs is semi-clear, I appreciate any thoughts, Thanks!
zamdrang

Showing 6 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
Like you, I listen mostly to rock, too. Marco makes some good points and suggestions above.

However, I have used tubes and SS, and I prefer tubes. For rock, I'd suggest a KT88 based push pull amp...perhaps the PrimaLuna Prologue II...or similar.

Also, you're going to need some speakers that go below (or damn close to) 30Hz, and are fairly easy to drive. If your speakers don't reproduce lower bass, you can't rock.

The Klipsch suggestions are very good. I'd bet Klipsch Forte II or Chorus II with a PrimaLuna Prologue 2 would rock the walls. Also, I have recently heard and read good things about Odyssey Audio Lorelei loudspeakers. They are likely over your budget at $2700/pair, but they can be auditioned for 30 days.

I use Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE. They rock.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Undertow, Zamdrang is considering a Cambridge Azur 340A or 540A which retail for $250 and $599 respectively. Your suggestion of a McIntosh amplifier is very good, but it's way beyond his apparent budget.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I withdraw my suggestion.

Jax2, Boa2 and Undertow have all been around this block, and they know what they're talking about.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I have recently read good things about the Unison Unico. Enough good things to put it near the top of a "check-it-out" list. I particularly like that it uses 12AU7 tubes rather than 6922 tubes.

Personally, the most frustrating thing about putting together a system intended primarily for rock (yet used for all genres), is finding speakers that are visually acceptable in a mixed-use room...like a living room. Horn loaded speakers always seem to be the best option, but they are rarely welcomed by the fairer sex.

KT88 tubes or the Unico, and Klipsch might Get the Led Out.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
To be more direct if I was (and I guess I am) trying to decide between the Stingray the Cronus or the Prologue 2, whats the best pick?

Zamdrang
The $64,000 question.

I have noticed more happy Prologue 2 owners than just about any other owners of tube integrated amps in the same price range. Also, the Prologue2 can use both EL34 and KT88 tubes, thus opening up the possibility for experimentation and tailoring of the sound.

On the other hand, both the Manley and Rogue amps are made in the USA, if that makes any difference.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Priced range I'm referring to is the new price of a Prologue 2 to a new Cronus...roughly $1200-$1800. That's generally considered the same price range.

Frankly, I don't believe where a product is made makes a bit of difference provided the product has a good record of reliability and/or service is readily available in the USA. Certainly in the case of the PrimaLuna products, both criteria are favorable. A product's origin would be important to a xenophobe (or a xenophile...depending on one's POV).

More to discover