AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › 2 Channel Audio › Make my strata minis sing, for 2K
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Make my strata minis sing, for 2K

post #1 of 11
8/25/07 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
So I am going to use my XBOX 360 or PS3 to store uncompressed audio.

For 2K, I need the best tube pre/amp and external DAC I can find, to pair with my strata minis in a fairly large room.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
ELmO
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 11
8/25/07 at 9:03pm
Yes, get a solid state amp.

Seriously, I do not mean to get into the sound quality of tubes argument. But a fairly large room means a fair amount of power. And I don't think there's any question that the power-to-dollar ratio is hugely in favor of solid state. If you're going to play at lower volumes, have at it with tubes. Otherwise, I'd say do some comparisons with SS in large places.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 11
8/25/07 at 9:09pm
Thread Starter 
OK I will do some comparisons, but I'd just like to try tubes out...there are such things as integrated tube/SS amplifiers (from what I've read, of course)...

I wanna get that "smooth" tube midrange people talk about, I have enough SS equipment right now - looking to see what I can do with 2 channel music.

The budget can grow, I am just trying to get the best bang for the buck tube sound.

Thanks,
ELmO
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 11
8/25/07 at 9:25pm
That's very cool. Yes there are SS/tube combinations that might fit the bill for you. Again, I don't mean to whack tubeafiles (that's for another thread). But I have seen situations where people are comparing 35wpc tube amps with 500wpc SS amps, and I'm thinking... not when you need some real power for a large room.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 11
8/25/07 at 9:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by elmalloc View Post


For 2K, I need the best tube pre/amp and external DAC I can find, to pair with my strata minis in a fairly large room.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
ELmO

I've read a lot of good things about this amp. Also read that it works very well with the Strata Mini's.

http://www.**********/products_produc...k&product=64.1
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 11
8/25/07 at 10:08pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks.

I've looked at the Onix SP3 (38W) and the Onix H34 (40-45W). Those tube amps are relatively inexpensive ($600 used and under).

That's why I'm trying to see if there's anything else under 2K. I don't need the audio blaring at super loud volumes, especially with the minis having integrated powered woofers. I'll be listening to jazz/midrange music with it.

If there's nothing with sufficiently more tube power, Iwill look at integrated tube pre/SS amp (yet I'll need suggestions there). The Jolida J1000A/RC looks like it's 100W for $2000-2500.

Thanks,
ELmO
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 11
8/25/07 at 11:04pm
For what it's worth I have been in the 120-150wpc range for years. The only times I have actually needed that much power is in the really low end - like <30hz. But there have been many times that I needed 70wpc or so. It's just one voice, but I vote for integrated tube/SS if you are sold on tube sound.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 11
8/26/07 at 7:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by elmalloc View Post

Thanks.

I've looked at the Onix SP3 (38W) and the Onix H34 (40-45W). Those tube amps are relatively inexpensive ($600 used and under).

That's why I'm trying to see if there's anything else under 2K. I don't need the audio blaring at super loud volumes, especially with the minis having integrated powered woofers. I'll be listening to jazz/midrange music with it.



Thanks,
ELmO

You might want to ask some questions over at the AV123 forum about that SP3 amp and the Strata's.

http://av123forum.com/
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 11
8/26/07 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I did a few weeks ago. The SP3 used to be paired with the stratas as a combo sale. I think it's good in small to medium rooms, but I'm in a medium to large (19x17, cathedral 2 story ceiling). I think it might work as my entry into the tube world, though...but the integrated tube/SS seem to be what I should really be looking at.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 11
8/26/07 at 7:36pm
since all the bass is using powered subs in the strata, i dont think you have to be too concerned with power rating of the amp tube or SS. You could try the Onix tube int amp to see if you like the sound (i think 30 day guarantee) and also if its enough. Most of the time, amps output less than 1 Watt. Its during the transients where sometimes the amps will have to output more.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 11
8/27/07 at 8:23am
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the information! I was thinking the same.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: 2 Channel Audio

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › 2 Channel Audio › Make my strata minis sing, for 2K