Dave Carpenter Posted December 17, 2000 Share Posted December 17, 2000 I've got Chorus II's & a 10 yr old 100 watt Carver receiver. The Carver's having problems & I want to upgrade anyway. I've been thinking about replacing it with Conrad Johnson tubes (preamp & amp). There are a lot of other options out there, some less expensive but the C-J reviews are mostly glowing. I'm pretty sure the sound will be a major improvement. But I don't want something I've got to keep tweaking. I'm also a little worried about the power. Occasionally, I really crank it. I've bottomed out the little Carver many times. It doesn't have the headroom & couldn't supply the dynamic power. My brother-in-law got me into Klipsch in the first place. He has a pair of La Scalas he plays with an old Macintosh tube. They sound very good & that's what triggered the upgrade thoughts. I'm very happy with the sound of the Chorus - just interested in making the right choice on an upgrade in the amp. Comments/suggestions are very welcome! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted December 17, 2000 Share Posted December 17, 2000 I would focus more on how much better your Chorus will sound with the tubes. A conrad Johnson MV55 and PV10 combo would blow your mind on those speakers. I have Lascala's and have run both solid state and tubes. I am here to say that with the tubes the midrange has a prescence that is unbelievable. To me the solid state just seems a little flat in that key area. Power should not be a problem. Remember, tubes do not have the same clipping characteristics as solid state. They do not exhibit the hardness associated with solid state. I believe your chorus are about 100 db efficient. If that is the case, the 45 wpc on the CJ should drive your speakers to painful levels. I can achieve that level with about 12 wpc on my Lalcalas. The tubes on the CJ are common,and very reliable. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted December 17, 2000 Share Posted December 17, 2000 time to play "stereo" borrow the Mac, watch the power meters, listen to a wide variety of music, tubes will not wear out your ears like SS will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Bey Posted December 18, 2000 Share Posted December 18, 2000 yes, yes, yes to tubes. Try it, you'll like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Carpenter Posted December 21, 2000 Author Share Posted December 21, 2000 Thanks for the support everyone. Off to look for some tubes! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 14, 2001 Share Posted January 14, 2001 Dave, did you purchase a tube amp yet? If so what did you buy? I am curious to see what you think about tubes on your Chorus. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Carpenter Posted January 31, 2001 Author Share Posted January 31, 2001 Sorry everyone. Since I posted, I was transferred. We've moved & I am just now getting back online. The new house is sucking up my play money. The tubes will have to wait a month or two. Thanks for the encouragement. When I get the amp, I'll post the results...... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWOOF Posted January 31, 2001 Share Posted January 31, 2001 Dave, please keep in mind that a tube amp is almost like having a child. They need loving attention! I love mine and it worries me when it stays out late and doesn't check in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted February 2, 2001 Share Posted February 2, 2001 If it's gonna be your first ever tube amp,I'll say the newer the better.The C-J mv55/pv10 combo should fit nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted February 3, 2001 Share Posted February 3, 2001 I bought the amps and improved the reef tank fisrt, then I bought the house, ditto on the newer, that is why I would look at Jolida, Antique Sounds, Doc Bottlehead or DecWare deals instead of modded Dynaco ST70s ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted February 3, 2001 Share Posted February 3, 2001 I agree with Colin if your budget is tight any of the above mentioned are excellent choices. One of the downsides to the older Modified gear is that it is hard to tell if it is a good or a bad mod. The old stuff can be fantastic, but for your first,it is my feeling that you want to make it as hassle free as possible. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKA Posted February 26, 2001 Share Posted February 26, 2001 Any feelings on a tube preamp with a ss amp? The tubes would last longer in the preamp and you may get some of the sound quality you are looking for with less hassle. TKA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill rawls Posted March 7, 2001 Share Posted March 7, 2001 Before buying a tube amp, you might go to this site (http://www.belgaudio.com/kcmap.htm). They test a set of Cornwall's, but also have some very interesting information (measurements, not opinion)on the inherent nonlinearities involved with tube amps. For accurate, flat response a quality solid state is the only choice. I have several of both and prefer the solid state on my Belles. Now I'll duck as the flabby bass nonlinear tube guys attack. Regards, Bill Rawls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster00 Posted March 7, 2001 Share Posted March 7, 2001 Just my 2¢ again... I can't tell you how much I like my Monarchy Audio SM-70! It is a whopping 25wpc, class A, zero feedback amp, and I love it The price is good (~$700) and you can return it if you don't like it. Mr. C.C.Poon is the owner and very customer friendly. The web site is: Monarchy Audio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill rawls Posted March 7, 2001 Share Posted March 7, 2001 While it is true that rooms and any reflecting surface create standing waves that will add to or subtract from the radiating source, you still end up with the best mix if you start out with the best mix. A good analogy is a photo copy machine. If you use the gest origional, you get the best copy. This is the philosophy I have and once again it is a measureable fact of life. God I love America, Bill Rawls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEvan Posted March 7, 2001 Share Posted March 7, 2001 edster, I'm interested. What are you using upstream of the amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J M O N Posted March 8, 2001 Share Posted March 8, 2001 I would suggest that if you're going to compare amplifiers, don't look at measurements, specificaions, reviews, or other people's opinions. Listen to them with your own ears and let them decide which one is best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill rawls Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 Gee mdeneen, You have my interest now, what is this TV set you mentioned? Regards, Bill Rawls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster00 Posted March 9, 2001 Share Posted March 9, 2001 TheEvan, I am using an AH!Tjoeb99 CD player (Coax out), and a Mac MR-78 tuner into Monarchy's Model 33 DAC/line amp. In my room to my ears (and others who have come over to listen) it is a sweet sounding combo ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Carpenter Posted March 10, 2001 Author Share Posted March 10, 2001 Just an update. I've listened around & at the moment, my heart's desire is the C-J Premier 11 amp with a PV10 preamp. When I get back from this business trip, I'll take them home for a listen. I read the article on Cornwalls / tube/ solid state amps. Although there may be more distortion, the amp did sound very, very good. It's a pricey setup, though (for me) -- about $5,000 for the amp & preamp. I know there are cheaper, good systems out there, but I've not heard anyone complain about the sound of the C-J equip. & they seem to hold their value very well. But, for this price, I could get a McIntosh or the C-J SS amp. Still thinking & looking ... feedback & references always welcome. Had my last receiver for 10 yrs, this one will prob. last longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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