You should consider Raven Audio. They are built in Texas, look fantastic and the music that comes out is very good. I have the Reflection MK2 integrated amp that runs about $9,900. However there entry level line up is way more affordable under $3k. Call the owner Dave Thomson. He is great to talk to and he has some of the best vintage tubes of anyone in the country.
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.
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.
- ...
- 35 posts total
@recluse - have you read Terry London's review of the Double Impacts? https://hometheaterreview.com/tekton-design-double-impact-floorstanding-speaker-reviewed/ I email frequently off this forum among a birds-of-a-feather group who share common components. We try to help each other find great component matches and share experiences. Two of our little group use the DIs, one as their primary speaker and another in a HT application. Both of them as well as others in the group have committed in part or fully to Linear Tube Audio gear, although the speaker usage is a mix. What part of the country do you live in? The Axpona show in Chicago is next month and just about every type of amp referenced in this thread will be there. |
Several years a go I obtained a used but modified Jolida 502b amp with 6550 (KT-88) output tubes. I subsequently rebiased it for the less powerful EL-34s and never looked back. A purer sound and less strain on the power supply and output transformers. I can A/B it with either of two excellent sounding SS amps and for less complex music (jazz, rock) I can barely hear the difference even with instant switching. BUT... for the rich harmonics of classical music (my favorite), the tubed amp definitely takes the edge. I'm writing this since no one (I think) had mentioned Jolida amps as an alternative. I believe it is an American company that manufactures in China and are priced to compete. I think they are underrated and quite affordable, even new. Other opinions are welcome. |
As far as Chinese manufactured audio components are concerned, I’ve owned several Jungson products and they are excellent. Several SS amps, pre amps, cables, speakers, and CD players. Never a single problem, not one. Beautifully made, lucious sounding, reliable. They make tube products too. I’ve had far more issues with US made products during my 47 addiction to this hobby than anything made by Jungson. |
I second the Jolida suggestion…I recently sold mine as I prefer my little single ended Dennis Had amp (restricting me to efficient speakers, but I can live with that), but that Jolida 502P was a great amp. When I bought it around 6 years ago it cost about 1100 bucks and I payed about 100 bucks for the "factory upgrades." I talked to the Jolida people in MD a few times and they were cool. They make a newer version now with possibly "actual" balanced inputs, and switching to accommodate more power tube types. They suffer from near zero advertising and snobbery from low pricing, but don't be put off…they are great sounding amps. |
- 35 posts total