FloridaBoy

WDo you think the optional V-Cap upgrade be worth the additional cost (adds another ~ $300)? I have a Triode Corp TRK3488. A $1200 kit I bought assembled for $900. I used a pair of V-Caps in it and they are very good but $300 for caps in a $699 kit may not be cost effective. You may want to try a pair along with a pair of different caps. Just sayin'. I think caps make a difference but the most expensive are not necessarily the *best*. The Jupiter HT Copper foils are very good too and will not break the bank. BTW, I am using the V-Cap Coppers from the TRK paralleled with a Vitamin Q in another amp. The only way to find out what works for you is to experiment. That looks like a nice amp for an intro to tubes though.

The curiosity is killing me. What is this 25 watt push pull EL84 amplifier? In case you did not get it from what I wrote previously, Quick Silver horn mono's. TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR...they sounded great. but $2,000 better than the yamaha rx A1030... not so much. If I did not have the yammy 1030, the horn mono's are keepers! AND the fact that I have the Yamaha RX 1030 is accidental. I had been wanting a Macintosh or Pass amp. I never thought I would have the money to buy one, and in fact did not ( at the time) . BUT i needed an amp. I looked on CL and this 1030 which I knew nothing about was for sale brand new used less than a week. I offered the guy $400 and he took it. I connected it to my ( new to me) lascalas and it sounded good. Thinking that tubes would sound better I saved up and bought the Big Ben. Since that is a buy it and you keep it, I kept it. Although it sounded a small bit better than the 1030, again it was not worth the money as far as sound improvement goes. Then, 2 yrs later, I got to listen to khorns. I was blown away by the improvement! BUT NOW the BB 6 watt SET just was not enough for the BASS when comparing to the yamaha 1030. So now you know the rest of the story. This thread lost me. Do you still have the Quicksilvers? If so, what 12DW7/7247 and power tubes are you using? Your preamp may not be optimal for the Mono's and that may be why the 1030 sounds good....the preamp section is matched to the power section. I have found, over the years, that a preamp and amp from the same manufacturer is they way to go. However, there are always exceptions.

The best bass I ever had was with a Korneff 45 using EML solid plate tubes. You would never have guessed it was flea power. ;-) The 45 in the right rig is amazing. Dennis is using the 27 tube in the LP 27a preamp. A pic of mine is attached. I did not get the 45 amp but got a SEP amp built on the same chassis.

Yep, I found that when I googled it also. I guess Dennis Had doesn't have a web site. Dennis Had calls his amplifiers "Inspire" and has recently added the Fire Bottle reference. Dennis seems to primarily sell on eBay (radioman731) when he completes an amplifier, similar to Bob Carver (audioshopper) selling his hand-built amplifiers. I believe he also takes special orders for those that have contacted him by word-of-mouth. There is also a headphone amplifier on Moon Audio running 6SN7, 6BL7 or 6BX7 output tubes. http://www.moon-audio.com/dragon-inspire-iha-1-tube-headphone-amp.html Here are a couple of pictures to show the Fire Bottle references above. . I have a single ended pentode Inspire built on the above chassis with the similar 20 watt transformers. I also got one of Dennis' LP27a preamps. Wonderful combo. Any of these amp with Heritage speakers are excellent.

Single ended pentodes can sound mighty fine and tube rolling will not break the bank. The one you ordered can use 6V6 and 6L6 variants. *I* like the 6L6 family. You may just be floored at how good it will sound. BTW, the new production Tung Sol 6V6 is a superb tube. Ditto for the new Tung Sol big bottle 6L6G...it's really a GC. I've used them in a couple of similar amps and prefer them to many old stock tubes. Looking forward to your impression of the amp.

Very nice Maynard! The 6Y6 is a fine tube.

I just found this link about the Softone amp. The Japanese are to be admired for their philosophy of turning mundane things like amps into an art form. Although this amp is circuit board based, it is beautifully done, and the circuit is actually quite sophisticated in spite of its overall simplicity. http://softone.a.la9.jp/english/Model8/M8-eng-2.htm Here's one of their hard wired amps which, judging from the under-chassis pic, is beautifully built as well: http://softone.a.la9.jp/english/Sv811-3/SV811-3.htm For the price of the Model 8, I can't imagine one could do better in terms of the apparent build quality. Of course, I don't know how it sounds; but, I'd be willing to bet that it is very nice! Maynard Sorry, Florida Boy. Just realized that I posted the same link you did When I have some spare change for toys I will get one...just because.

Here is a cool link that I posted in another thread: http://www.hifilit.com/ However, here in SW Florida the pickings are pretty slim. Be sure the check out Mad Magazine does Hi-fi.

I have been using tubes for a long time and have a good collection. Many were bought on the auction site over the years. However, I am finding that the auction site is not what it used to be. If you purchase used tubes there only buy from a seller that tests them and offers returns. There are not that many good examples of well regarded tubes available and if you are new to this a solid online dealer may be the best option. You'll pay more but should get better quality.

I think you nailed it Maynard. I just bought a single National Union VT229 that, according to the seller, tested new but it is so microphonic that is not listenable even with tube dampers.

Maynard, The vintage amps have a cult following and can be very good if restored properly. However, they are no longer the bargain they were and cosmetically excellent examples are hard to find. IMHO, they have become more of a collectable than an every day user. Some folks may disagree and that's fine. I am not bashing them. I had a Pilot 240 that I wish I never sold, charming sound but I won't look for another. The Cayin amps are very well made and have modern 'vintage' circuits. Better parts, modern RCA's and speaker connections etc. The Bob Latino ST-70 is a much improved version of the original Dynaco and is a very fine amp. I would take it over a restored/modified original. Bob also has an improved PAS preamp. There are many small builders here in the USA and Japan that make outstanding products. The best tube gear I ever had was a Shindo Cortese amp and Monbrison preamp. I also had proper speakers and sources.I bought it used and it cost me $500 to enjoy it for a year. It did not sound vintage but it conveyed music in a way that was riveting. You did not want to do anything but listen. I don't think I will ever own anything 'better' and that's O.K. System synergy is the key and that can be achieved with vintage or modern electronics. BTW, I kinda like tone controls and miss them. Link to some 'modern' American vintage: http://www.tubes4hifi.com/TN.htm#RC The Ray amp looks sweet!

The Havana could be veiled and I'd never know it...until I heard something better. I did change the coupling caps to PIO's and that was a nice improvement. The Metrum is certainly reasonably priced and well received. Once I get computerized I may be looking at DAC's again.

The MC275 is a great amp BUT if you are driving Klipsch speakers 75 watts is, IMHO, overkill. You may want to look into 'classic' McIntosh equipment if you are smitten by the sound. Just Google classic McIntosh as a start. Then try to listen to a few pieces. You may be even more enamoured.

Dennis really seems to be enjoying this new 'hobby'. Attached are pics of the amp and preamp I purchased. The TS 6AR6 is excellent and inexpensive.

Thanks. I use a Havana too...still have not found anything I like better. I hope to be on a computer soon.