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Looking to get into tube gear, any recommendations?

220 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Andy Lammer, Dec 22, 2000

Mike V

Discussion Starter · Dec 17, 2000

I am looking to get into some relatively inexpensive tube gear for an audio only setup. I know virtually nothing about the different types of gear that is available, or what is generally considered to be the "better" equipment. Anyone have any thoughts for this humble beginner?

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JHouse

· #2 · Dec 18, 2000

It's a racket. They "sound better" because for a given power rating they don't clip as harshly as solid state equipment. But that doesn't make much difference in these days of cheap power. Plus they are generally nonlinear as heck, so they have a lot of "personality" or their own "sound" just like speakers, phono cartridges, microphones and every other non-linear type of equipment (which usually isn't considered a good thing in sound reproductions). Plus, the makers milk the old "they don't make'em like they used to" gimmick for major sucker bucks, so they never come cheap. Good Luck!

------------------

Joe House

Still think the 1300 lumen Infocus LP350/Boxlight CD555m DLP, with its video decoder, de-interlacer and scaler is a steal.

[This message has been edited by JHouse (edited 12-18-2000).]

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Chris

· #3 · Dec 18, 2000

I don't want to get into tube vs. solid state bashing. I use a SS amp in my home theatre, but my audio setup has a tube amp and a tube preamp. I spent several months auditioning different brands of tube and SS equipment before deciding on my current setup. I purchased my OTL tube amp from Transcendent Sound over the internet. They have a web site you might want to check out. I would also visit www.audioasylum.com which is a forum that has section on tube amps. I encourage you to read some more about tubes, read the posts and FAQ on the audioasylum forum and listen to different combinations of systems in your home to see what works. Some of the tube stuff is available in kits, if you're so inclined. Keep in mind that there is more than one kind of tube amplifier: there are OTL and push-pull designs, to mention a couple.

[This message has been edited by Chris (edited 12-18-2000).]

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Andy Lammer

· #4 · Dec 20, 2000

Since deciding to sell my EAD Ovation, I have been auditioning many pre-amps at home. The solid state units I have listened to last month are the Musical Fidelity A3-CR, Sim Audio P-5, Jeff Rowland Concentra ( pre-amp only ). I would easily take the Rowland as pre-amp over my EAD. The other 2 bettered my EAD on several fronts, but for overall musicality, I would still take the EAD.

This is when the Blue Cirlce BC 3 tube pre-amp enters the picture. My friend Alex brings over his BC 3 made in 1994 with stock tubes. It easily bested the Rowland. It had the blackest background I have ever "not-heard" and had detail, dynamics, great bass, image width & depth. My dealer says a current BC 3 is even better, which then gets bested by his BC 3.1, which then gets bested by his BC 3000 pre-amp.

He also offers an entry level pre-amp called the BC 20 www.bluecircle.com

... I myself may yet become a new tube convert as Blue Cirlce is unveling a remote tube pre-amp at CES.

Whether you buy SS or Tubes, whatever sounds good to you ... go for it !

- Andy

[This message has been edited by Andy Lammer (edited 12-19-2000).]

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Nathan Ivey

· #5 · Dec 21, 2000

Is the blue circle at CES a Tube HT pre-amp?

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Andy Lammer

· #6 · Dec 22, 2000

Blue Circle will be at CES.

The new BC25 is a 2-channel only pre-amp, which is his first one with a remote control, and fully balanced dual-differential design. I need a remote ! I was not big on its aesthetics !

No HT preamp available from them yet either.

Remember that he is a tube guy, and an advanced H.T. pre is in a totally new technological ball-park. Though he did release a 6-channel amp this past summer.

- Andy

- Andy

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