Chuck Pfannkuchen Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 Since 1985 I have had nothing but Klipsch speakers, that will never change. To best explain my problem let me tell you about my equipment. My front speakers are the LaScala's - Two piece, 7ply Birch, the rears are the original Heresy's, the center channel is the Academy and my subs are two each, KSW 12's. I have a Onkyo Receiver that i primarily use only as a pre-amp. I use the Onkyo pre-out connections for my THREE Crown Amps. I bought these amps new in the 90s and they have been dependable. I use the Crown PB-2 for the LaScala's the PB-1 for the Heresy's and the Crown PS-400 for the Academy Center Channel. I feel it is time to make some improvements and would like to get rid of the Onkyo receiver and purchase a intergrated Tube amplifier. Tube amplifiers are new to me, so what should i do to drive the rear speakers and the center channel? Constructive suggestions would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockOn4Klipsch Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 I'm sure many will chime in shortly in regards to tube integrated's. I've had no experience with tube equipment but from much reading and differing opinions a good SS state device may also be the improvement you're looking for. I'd like to give tubes a try but with the added cost of tube equipment SS seems to be the best investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 you need 5 tube channels that are basically the same....otherwise you HT imagining won't be quite right due to the differences in gain from amps that are different models or same power and different manufactures. I have 5 mono blocks (2X250WPC and 3 X 350WPC) made by the same company doing exactly what you are thinking. pretty big foot print.....takes up a lot of space....44 power tubes all in all. you still need an HT pre becuase of he decoder you need to get 5 channels. lots of cables all over the place and crazy tactic's to keep the power runs coming in from the right and the signal runs coming in from the left. I also have two 7 channel HT recievers. an onkyo TS-DS989 (130wpc X7) and an onkyo NR-1000 (160wpcX7), great sound, small foot print, no crazy wire lay out, the NR-1000 has independent decoders for each channel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ69 Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 You certainly can achieve much better sound with better amps and a good pre-amp. Multi-channel is hard to do with tube gear. With 5 or 7 channels, that's a lot of amps, a lot of heat and it takes a lot of space. If it was me I'd get a good 5 channel amp like a Parasound A51, then save up for a better pre-amp. On the other hand seven tube mono blocks would be really cool (or really hot). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Pfannkuchen Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share Posted December 18, 2011 Good comments from everyone, do you think is it possible to get a good tube pre-amp with capabilities of 5.1 and still use my existing Crown amps? If this is not possible then i am back to getting a good SS Amp. It sounds a little expensive to purchase tube mono blocks and putting it all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 I have not heard Decware's 5.1 tube preamp but all the reviews on thier products are very good. http://www.decware.com/newsite/ULTRA.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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