What is a good starter Tube Amp?

[Bossman]

Hi everyone. I am looking to buy my first tube amplifier to pair with Klipsch speakers. Is it possible to get a decent tube amp under five hundred bucks? Some of the speakers it would be powering are Cornwall II's, Heresys, Forte II's and RF-3's. I listen to a wide variety of music including hip-hop, and I like a decent amount of bass, so Im not sure if an extremely low powered amp would be enough. Any suggestions for a good budget amp? Also how important is it to use a Tube Pre-Amp with a tube power amp? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[xxJPMxx]

In case anyone is interested, the amp Jim started this thread about is now back in my possession. If anyone is looking for a terrific SET, drop me a PM and we can discuss it.

 

 

Contact Maynard, I took that  quote from this thread: https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/161069-is-this-anyones-work-near-me-fs-flemington-area-57500/

[Bossman]

Thanks JPM, i just sent him a message.

[Jim]

The pre amp shouldn't matter much. I listen to a very wide range of music myself with a bunch of Freestyle and Trance mixed in with rock music and have no issues with the wattage output giving me deep bass.

 

If for some reason Maynard's isn't available, you can do what I did and get a DIY and have someone build it for you with better components like I did (JP above). I'm into mine for $400.00 and it's a Class A SET. The Class A SET gives a more 3d image with music when run in triode mode. The integrated I have is a Yaqin MC-10L and it has 4 inputs and puts out 42 wpc. It has a crisp clear sound stage but not the same imaging as the SET. Both those amps ran me less than $500.00.

 

I would look at a few of the Chinese companies for the price range you are in. There are some good companies out there. Once you get one of them, you can either upgrade caps and resistors if needed, or move up to a complete custom built amp from several members on here who build.

[xxJPMxx]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Douk-audio-5Z4P-6N1-6P3P-HIFI-Single-ended-Class-A-Tube-Amp-Amplifier-DIY-KIT-/251524477179?hash=item3a9006f0fb:g:2ycAAOSwj0NUj~dB

 

 

$140 plus shipping and you are only in it for $200. Someone like myself can assemble and fully test it including tweaks and a few upgrades probably run another $200. So $400 isn't bad for a tube amp!! I had my doubts on these kits but they perform quite well for the money.

 

If you can get Maynards amp I would do that but this is a viable second option.

[tube fanatic]

Bossman, I just replied to your PM.  Jim and JP gave you great advice!  Tell us about your listening environment such as the size of the room, how close to the speakers you sit when listening, whether the room has a lot of sound absorbing stuff like drapes, sofas, etc., and most importantly how loudly you listen.  The last point is going to be critical in determining how much power you will need.  The SET JP referenced above is only about 1.5 wpc and may not be enough power for you if you like to crank it up a lot.

 

Maynard 

[Bossman]

http://www.ebay.com/...ycAAOSwj0NUj~dB     $140 plus shipping and you are only in it for $200. Someone like myself can assemble and fully test it including tweaks and a few upgrades probably run another $200. So $400 isn't bad for a tube amp!! I had my doubts on these kits but they perform quite well for the money.   If you can get Maynards amp I would do that but this is a viable second option.

Now that's an option. I have seen some diy kits but didn't really think I had the capabilities of assembling it myself. I can solder but that is about it. 

[Jim]

The amp to the left is the integrated,it's the Yaqin MC-10L. There are a bunch of forums for the Yaqins, this one also.They talk about upgrades and tubes to get the best oout of this amp and it has very good reviews on it. Derrickdj on here also has a Yaqin hybrid I think. The amp to the right is the Aiqin Audio (Douk Audio) which has different variations of it. I purchased it last year for Christmas, and literally got it back yesterday after sending it out for upgrades.

 

The reason I said to let someone else build if you aren't that good with this type of work is because the schematics call for it to be wired in triode and pentode mode at the same time.But it doesn't have a switch to go back and forth in those modes. So I had mine rewired in triode mode only and had new caps and resistors done.JP also spoke with Maynard and they agreed that some rewiring was needed. This is the finished product playing right now with my turntable hooked into it.

 

[Krispy Kirk]

Three questions for Bossman:

 

1) What are you using currently?

 

2) Are you interested in a power amp or an integrated?  (depending on your answer to #1 above, you might be able to keep using your preamp assuming you have one)

 

3) Is used gear OK? 

 

Honestly, there isn't much tube gear with a lot of power (say 50 watts or more) in the the sub-$500 range.  In fact, I can't name a single piece.  But if you are willing to take a chance on used gear, you could get lucky and score a used Jolida 302 or 502 for around $500.

[Jim]

Three questions for Bossman:

 

1) What are you using currently?

 

2) Are you interested in a power amp or an integrated?  (depending on your answer to #1 above, you might be able to keep using your preamp assuming you have one)

 

3) Is used gear OK? 

 

Honestly, there isn't much tube gear with a lot of power (say 50 watts or more) in the the sub-$500 range.  In fact, I can't name a single piece.  But if you are willing to take a chance on used gear, you could get lucky and score a used Jolida 302 or 502 for around $500.

 

The 302's on the bay are $750.00 and up right now, and the 502's are $1100.00and up. Not to say there aren't others out there on other sites.

 

There are a few similar Yaqin amps like mine for around $486-550, but that's it. On the bay anyways.

[richieb]

Right now there is a Miniwatt N3, 2x EL84 power tubes, 3.5 watts == $150.00. Owned one years ago driving Belles and Cornwalls. Crazy good for $299 retail, ridiculous for $150. If memory serves I believe they use a switching power supply and EL 84 are a wonderful tube. I really prefer more power but it plays a Big 3.5 watts. It is a steal.

[Bossman]

Krispy Kirk: Ok, my listening room is about 15x25. Listening position is aprox 8 feet from speakers. Just a sofa in the room, with hardwood floors. I am currently using a NAD 3020 Integrated amplifier. I would prefer a integrated stereo tube amp ( less mumbo jumbo ), but a power tube amp would also be ok. And sure, used gear is ok.

Three questions for Bossman:   1) What are you using currently?   2) Are you interested in a power amp or an integrated?  (depending on your answer to #1 above, you might be able to keep using your preamp assuming you have one)   3) Is used gear OK?

[Bossman]

Bossman, I just replied to your PM.  Jim and JP gave you great advice!  Tell us about your listening environment such as the size of the room, how close to the speakers you sit when listening, whether the room has a lot of sound absorbing stuff like drapes, sofas, etc., and most importantly how loudly you listen.  The last point is going to be critical in determining how much power you will need.  The SET JP referenced above is only about 1.5 wpc and may not be enough power for you if you like to crank it up a lot.   Maynard 

 

Room is 15x25, with only a sofa and hardwood floors. Listening position is about 8 feet from speakers, and most importantly I listen at loud levels sometimes, especially when the wife is not home. Loud meaning just enough to rattle all the walls of the house, but not too loud to point my neighbors are hearing my music. For some reason, Im thinking 1.5 watts would not be enough. 

[Jim]

Bossman,

 

My room is almost identical, 14 x 24 with a love seat in it and I am 9 feet from the speakers. I sent an email on the other amp, but if you're looking for an integrated, I may also be able to help. You can PM me if interested in discussing. I will say the Jolida and Yaqin have a pretty good reputation.

[Ski Bum]

You would be surprised how far just a couple of watts will get you.  I only fall back to the big amps when I want to really blast it, which is pretty rare.  Don't be afraid to give single ended low power a try, particularly at such a restricted budget.  You won't find a better value than some of Maynard's home cookin.

[Bossman]

Thanks for the info Jim and Ski Bum.

[tube fanatic]

Bossman, I agree that 1.5 wpc may not be enough based on your comment about wanting to periodically rattle the walls.  My suggestion is to buy something like this:  

http://www.amazon.com/MC-84L-Linear-Push-Pull-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B011BO60S4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451135331&sr=8-4&keywords=yaqin+amplifier

That way you can try it in your system and return it for a refund if you don't like it.  SETs are not generally used for very loud listening as it defeats the benefit of that type of circuit- a huge soundstage with excellent imaging.  (Klipsch speakers have terrific synergy with SETs!).  Most users of SETs, in my experience, listen only loudly enough to allow for total immersion in the music.  At very loud levels room reflections usually smear things enough to leave you with nothing more than a wall of sound.  One last point is that some folks enjoy having the benefits of both types of amps and simply patch in the one which is appropriate for the listening they want to do (that can also be accomplished with a couple of inexpensive switch boxes).  Regrettably, amps which allow switching between two modes of operation are often more costly than your budget would allow.

Maynard

[Bossman]

It comes down to quality sound vs quantity sound. If you want to hear your speakers at their best go for a SET and when you want to rattle walls go to your SS. Quantity and quality comes with a bigger price tag that what you stated you want to spend. There is absolutely nothing wrong in using 2 amps. I have my connections where I can swap out different amps in less than 2 minutes. 

What do you think about bi-amping the speakers? Using a tube amp for the mid and tweeter drivers, and use the the solid state amp for the woofer only? Is that getting the best of both worlds, or is that not a good idea? 

[Bossman]

Bossman, I agree that 1.5 wpc may not be enough based on your comment about wanting to periodically rattle the walls.  My suggestion is to buy something like this:   http://www.amazon.co...yaqin amplifier

Is this 12 watt amp enough to rattle my walls with authority? 

[xxJPMxx]

Do you have a powered subwoofer?

 

I built myself a high powered SS stereo amp for parties and what not, it was driving Cornwalls. During parties people liked to dance but  the higher level in midrange and upper frequencies were trouble sometimes, people can't talk and what not. So then I turned the volume down and boosted just the low end through an EQ, much better results. The EQ was on a Soundcraftsman preamp. People can feel the beat and dance but still talk. I mean it's still loud but you really only need low end to shake the walls. What I now have better results with is just actually drop the lows going to the main system and use a separate high powered subwoofer to supplement. You can't really tell where the bass is coming from, people will look at my Heresy's and say those things pump out bass and I am like nope, I shut the subwoofer off and things tame down pretty quickly.

 

 

So yes two amps is better than one.

 

 

If you don't have a separate subwoofer I believe the only pair of speakers you have that you can bi amp is the RF-3's. Some of the more knowledgeable speaker guys will chime in.