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Tube Amps..and 5.1/7.1. Am I nuts?
Okay folks,
I haven't posted here for a while, I have been out working, making some money and coming back and enjoying my modest HT. However, upgradeitis is biting me again. Right now, I'm running all my audio through a Sunfire Signature 7X200 Amp. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I have always been fascinated by tube amps, and wondered how they would fit in/sound with my setup.
Now, my audio tastes run the whole gamut, movies, concert CDs/DVDs, ripped music from my HTPC (lossless WMA), regular CDs, sat TV etc etc. Given this scenario, and the assumption that I DO want to keep my surround sound:
- would it make sense to even pursue Tube amps?
- Should I go for 2 tube amps for the mains and use the Sunfire for the rest?
- Buy (gasp!) 7 Tube monoblocks?
All thoughts are appreciated.
I haven't posted here for a while, I have been out working, making some money and coming back and enjoying my modest HT. However, upgradeitis is biting me again. Right now, I'm running all my audio through a Sunfire Signature 7X200 Amp. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I have always been fascinated by tube amps, and wondered how they would fit in/sound with my setup.
Now, my audio tastes run the whole gamut, movies, concert CDs/DVDs, ripped music from my HTPC (lossless WMA), regular CDs, sat TV etc etc. Given this scenario, and the assumption that I DO want to keep my surround sound:
- would it make sense to even pursue Tube amps?
- Should I go for 2 tube amps for the mains and use the Sunfire for the rest?
- Buy (gasp!) 7 Tube monoblocks?
All thoughts are appreciated.
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I have 7 heathkit au2's monoblock.
sound is amazing but if you are in a small room you'll have to consider ventilation cause they get really HOT!!!
sound is amazing but if you are in a small room you'll have to consider ventilation cause they get really HOT!!!
Quote:
+1 My pair 35w mono-blocs put out a good bit of heat also. You shouldn't put these in an enclosed equipment closet...unless you have plenty of fans to move the hot air out.
Kapone,
Also keep in mind speaker efficiency. Your running a pretty stout ss amp in the Sunfire...you'll need some fairly strong tube amps, especially if your speakers are not very efficient. I ran a pair of Ideal Innovations (small custom tube amp builder) 35w mono blocs on a pair Klipsch RF-7's and let my receiver power the other surround speakers. With over 100db sen., the RF-7's would absolutely rock being pushed by the 35's.
| Originally Posted by Bachiano I have 7 heathkit au2's monoblock. sound is amazing but if you are in a small room you'll have to consider ventilation cause they get really HOT!!! |
Kapone,
Also keep in mind speaker efficiency. Your running a pretty stout ss amp in the Sunfire...you'll need some fairly strong tube amps, especially if your speakers are not very efficient. I ran a pair of Ideal Innovations (small custom tube amp builder) 35w mono blocs on a pair Klipsch RF-7's and let my receiver power the other surround speakers. With over 100db sen., the RF-7's would absolutely rock being pushed by the 35's.
WSR gave the Butler Audio amp a pretty good review a while back. I was tempted.
Lots of heat generated though.
Lots of heat generated though.
Quote:
I have been running a Butler 5150 for almost two months and they do not run warm. I thought that review said they ran cool anyways.
My amp acts like it's taking a jog at reference levels and I'll put the Butler amp against any in it's price range when it comes to a multi-channel amp on HT and two-channel stereo.
List price is over 3295 and you can get it for a thousand less if you dig around.
My Tyler Linbrooks amaze me everytime I power them up now that the Butler is feeding them.
Do not do yourself a disservice by not checking out the Butler.
| Originally Posted by Kevin C Brown WSR gave the Butler Audio amp a pretty good review a while back. I was tempted. Lots of heat generated though. |
My amp acts like it's taking a jog at reference levels and I'll put the Butler amp against any in it's price range when it comes to a multi-channel amp on HT and two-channel stereo.
List price is over 3295 and you can get it for a thousand less if you dig around.
My Tyler Linbrooks amaze me everytime I power them up now that the Butler is feeding them.
Do not do yourself a disservice by not checking out the Butler.
Quote:
If you have the money go for it because nothing sounds better then tubes.
| - Buy (gasp!) 7 Tube monoblocks? |
nuts, but probably sounds sweet, tube amps will typically put out a more "warm" sound and more fulfilling sound, i personally think it would sound great, good luck with all that wattage!
Quote:
You amplifier is already excellent and you will have absolutely nothing to gain by getting into tubes but trouble. I grew up through the tube era and there is nothing fascinating or better sounding about them. Quite frankly, the best way to improve an audio system is to buy the best speakers you can afford and improving your listening room. Tubes only begin to sound different when clipping occurs on an amplifier. With your setup clipping shouldn't be a problem.
This is simply my opinion having lived and listened to many, many tube devices.
| Originally Posted by kapone Okay folks, I haven't posted here for a while, I have been out working, making some money and coming back and enjoying my modest HT. However, upgradeitis is biting me again. Right now, I'm running all my audio through a Sunfire Signature 7X200 Amp. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I have always been fascinated by tube amps, and wondered how they would fit in/sound with my setup. Now, my audio tastes run the whole gamut, movies, concert CDs/DVDs, ripped music from my HTPC (lossless WMA), regular CDs, sat TV etc etc. Given this scenario, and the assumption that I DO want to keep my surround sound: - would it make sense to even pursue Tube amps? - Should I go for 2 tube amps for the mains and use the Sunfire for the rest? - Buy (gasp!) 7 Tube monoblocks? All thoughts are appreciated. |
This is simply my opinion having lived and listened to many, many tube devices.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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