quadklipsh Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 hi all... i would like expert forum members to answer this ... though tube amps sound different , are there any integrated amps there that come close to sounding like tubes . im talking about a gear in the price range of 300 to 600 bucks [H] can someone list out their choices ....1, 2 , 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 Not an expert here but somewhat informed. I have heard the Onkyo A-9555 described as "tube-like" by many that have owned them and in a Stereophile review. Here is one for sale on A-gon. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1288400889&/Onkyo-A-9555-Black--excellent- http://stereophile.com/integratedamps/907onk/ I think some of the NAD integrateds might be described that way also. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intamult&1287861708&/NAD-C355BEE-Excellent-for-Cond Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 There are integrated tube amps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 If you want a warranty and from a reputable authorized seller. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKA9555BLK/Onkyo/A-9555-Integrated-Digital-Amplifier-Black/1.html Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 There are integrated tube amps... Good point. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quadklipsh Posted September 21, 2010 Author Share Posted September 21, 2010 no no fini , just transistor amps , or okay mosfets , but not tube integs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 I really like Nakamichi receivers SR-3A and SR-4A. Very nice sound. Available used only. Same for the Twin-Powered HK receivers everyone here raves about (430, 630, 730, 930). New stuff, I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryO Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 The old Heathkit AR1500a is about as close to a tube sound as I've ever heard. Mid drive is unreal and it's a very warm old powerhouse. Range is excellent, controls are very wide ranging with defeat also. Best musical solid state piece of gear I've ever heard. Heavy, solid, superior sounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwinr Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 The only way you can make a transistor amp sound as good as or 'like' a tube amplifier, is if it is designed from the outset to drive highly sensitive horn-loaded speakers at the lower power levels such speakers require. There are some really good solid state low power amplifiers available. Check out Nelson Pass's website. I like the English DNM range. Their PA3 power amplifier @ 27 watts per channel is a beauty... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Vintage McIntosh SS stuff is supposed to be tubey sounding. I had some until I bought tube stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-383 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 wuzzer, that looks pretty interesting. When I was considering a T-amp for headphone use, I was told the only way to do it was to rewire my Sennheiser HD600s so each channel had a separate ground, as tying the grounds together (as in most headphones) would damage the amp, or the phones, or both. They must have worked that one out. Do you own one? How's it sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 wuzzer, that looks pretty interesting. When I was considering a T-amp for headphone use, I was told the only way to do it was to rewire my Sennheiser HD600s so each channel had a separate ground, as tying the grounds together (as in most headphones) would damage the amp, or the phones, or both. They must have worked that one out. Do you own one? How's it sound? I looked at the website and it did not indicate whether the front knob was also a volume control. It says only on/off on the front pane. Anyone know if this has a volume control, so that you could use it without a pre-amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ave Bona Cornwall Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Looks like it does have volume control from the white wedge above the knob, but I can't say 100%. Plus, why would they put a knob on if a simple on/off switch would do the trick (on /auto on switch is on the back, btw). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quadklipsh Posted September 22, 2010 Author Share Posted September 22, 2010 ave bona cornwall.......... you look brainy [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ave Bona Cornwall Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 ave bona cornwall.......... you look brainy Don't let my brainy looks fool you - I actually have the IQ of a pigeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 wuzzer, that looks pretty interesting. When I was considering a T-amp for headphone use, I was told the only way to do it was to rewire my Sennheiser HD600s so each channel had a separate ground, as tying the grounds together (as in most headphones) would damage the amp, or the phones, or both. They must have worked that one out. Do you own one? How's it sound? I used to have a Sonic Impact t-amp prior to going to surround sound. Fantastic amp, only thing it needed was more power. The amp I posted from Parts Express is the t-amp's steroid taking, muscle building big brother. I'd love to hear it some day but I have no doubt that it would be a stellar performer. I really wish I didn't put myself on a self-imposed buying hiatus until the end of 2011. I'd love to order two of them and see what they'd do in my setup. I could buy both of them and sell my LPA-1 and have plenty of coin left in my pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 I really wish I didn't put myself on a self-imposed buying hiatus until the end of 2011. I'd love to order two of them and see what they'd do in my setup. I could buy both of them and sell my LPA-1 and have plenty of coin left in my pocket. This doesn't make much sense. Order 2 to try them out, if you like them better you'll be money ahead with the 'plenty of coin left in my pocket'. If you don't like them, send them back for a refund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 I know what you mean Cut-Throat. Looks like PE is out of stock until well into November on them. I did sign up to be emailed when they're back in stock... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 I think I found the answer to my question: Since this thread is back up. I did a search a couple of months ago to find out more about the headphone out on the amp. I does just use a Opamp and does not use the t-amp. I'm too lazy to look it up now but i think i saw the internals on some DIY audio board. Thats not to say it would not be a good HP amp, it's just nothing unique about it. Driving speakers with the T-amp though would be pretty nice though. http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/477498/new-dayton-t-amp-looks-very-interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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