dtr20 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I have a pair of belles that I would love to hear with a tube amp. I listen to classic rock, hard Rick, metal, etc. I'm currently running them with an old 2 channel Sony amp that sounds great. Is there a decent cheap tube amp that I could try? Even a basic diy kit could be cool. Anything for $100-200 or am I dreaming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 There are a few DIY from China that wouyld work. I have a Class A SET. Also, check the tubes secrtion and ask, there are several on there who do several different types of DIY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I use a Yaquin VK 2100 which is a tube hybird. Tubes in the front and SS rear. I like this amp. I kept over my refurb McIntosh 1900 and Yamaha M 80/ M 70. Some can be found for around $400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Bum Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 You're not dreaming. Maynard has cooked up and posted schematics for exactly what you need and within or close to your budget right here. Flea power, if that will work. Can you scrape together a few more ducats? I've noticed a few of those Dennis Had Inspire amps pop up lately in the $700-$900 range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfbane Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 One way to bring some tubes to the party cheaply is to put a Tube DAC between your source and your amp. The Grant Fidelity DAC-09 is available used for your budget and it holds it resell value really well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Much depends on your listening level and how close to the Belles you are sitting when listening. See my post in the thread about the Decware amp for some comments on the required power. Where are you located? There may be forum members nearby who are using tubes and can offer you a demonstration. Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtr20 Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 We usually listen to them about 8-10 ft away in bed. I'm located in Massachusetts. I've heard tube amps on a pair of heresy's with jazz. The guy that demo ed this, also demoed a pair of forte II's. He listens to rock on forte II's with a solid state amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtr20 Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 Also has anyone tried the monoprice bluetooth hybrid tube/solid state amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Even a basic diy kit could be cool. Anything for $100-200 or am I dreaming? Antique Electronic Supply has a nice, simple, tube amp kit which has received many favorable comments: https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/K-502 At 8-10 feet in a bedroom, even 1 wpc will part your hair when listening to metal, etc.!!! Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 The Eico 81 sounds like the perfect amp for you at 12 wpc, only trouble is they are now going for stupid crazy bucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 How's your search for an amp coming along? Any interesting options turning up? Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtr20 Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 When I look online for tube amps, it's either really expensive, or the cheap stuff, I just don't know about it. I don't really know anyone that can service tube amps. I think I'm going to give up for a little bit. I've been doing some work in my home theater lately. I may try the monoprice hybrid tube/solid state amp at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtr20 Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 So that's basically a preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J M O N Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Take a look at the Antique Sound Labs Wave 8 monoblocks. They were about $100 each when they first came out many years ago. Not sure if they are still available but they were fairly decent, especially at that price. Edited April 2, 2016 by JMON Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 I take a somewhat different view in that to really appreciate what tubes can do in your system they need to be the last link in the signal chain before the speakers. While feeding a SS amp with a tube device may alter its sound somewhat, you certainly will not get the full "tube experience." As to knowing anyone who services tube equipment, there are loads of competent guys around, so don't let that influence your decision to get involved with them. With Belles you have a wonderful opportunity to try tubes without spending a great deal! It's really something you should try to experience if at all possible.Maynard 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I second Maynard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davecv41 Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 I saw a tube amp made by Nobsound in the window of a Japanese restaurant last year. I looked it up and it appeared to be a hybrid, tube input with solid state output. Model MS-10D available on Amazon for under $200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul79 Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I take a somewhat different view in that to really appreciate what tubes can do in your system they need to be the last link in the signal chain before the speakers. While feeding a SS amp with a tube device may alter its sound somewhat, you certainly will not get the full "tube experience." As to knowing anyone who services tube equipment, there are loads of competent guys around, so don't let that influence your decision to get involved with them. With Belles you have a wonderful opportunity to try tubes without spending a great deal! It's really something you should try to experience if at all possible. Maynard +2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eth2 Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 (edited) I have played with the system in my bedroom. I tried my VAC amp with a Kroll ss preamp. It was OK. I then tried a Cary tube preamp with a ss amp. Sounded about the same. But when I combined the VAC with the Cary the differences were amazing...smooth, warm, great sound stage. So in my case, it took tubes in both to get the intended result. Edited April 23, 2016 by eth2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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