rplace Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 My curiosity in an integrated tube amp is up. I admit I know just about nothing about tube gear. SET, Push/Pull, Matched pairsit is all Greek to me. Anyone got a good Tubes for Dummies site? I see a lot of good things about Scott 229s. If, for the time being, we limit the discussion to Scotts what are some other good models to consider? I see 222s on ebay along with some others I also see some with an integrated FM tuner like the 340. Not planning on using this for much FM, but if it is a good tube amp to get my feet wet with no harm done. Are the difference in letters (A/B/C) just the year made or power or what? Any other Scott advice greatly appreciated. How complete do they need to be to have someone like Craig at NOS Valves work some magic on them. If you find one at a garage sale that does not even power up can they be saved or do you at least need to have one that is currently working but in need of some updating? I am not looking to experiment. I either want to buy a project piece and ship it directly to Craig or buy one that is plug and play. Thanks a ton, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 I found this document a taste of tubes that really helped explain things for me. I posted it once here http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=58675&forumID=68&catID=19&search=1&searchstring=&sessionID={363BC883-E2DB-43A3-BD37-F28B4257F242} http://home.comcast.net/~enghenry/diy/taste.pdf I tested the link it may take a minute to load the document though. Good luck Seti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted May 19, 2005 Author Share Posted May 19, 2005 Seti, Thanks...I'll give it a look. Tube Gods, is it the 229 or nothing??? No suggestions for other Scotts that fit the bill to be resurrected from the dead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaaaz Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 there are plenty out there,fisher x-100,eico hf-81,scott 299b,299c,lk-48,lk-72 and a few others,there may be someone on the forum with a lk-48,299b for sale if I recall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imperfectcircle25 Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 A great tube amp for a beginer would be the Jolida 102b. Its inexpensive $549 and uses inexpensive el84 and 12ax7 tubes. i would say this is a much better idea than buying a used 30-40 year old tube amplifier. You never know what your getting with used stuff espcially older used stuff. The Jolida will be brand new with a warranty and will sound great. This amp has no business sounding as good as it does for that price. You would be hard pressed to find an amp even for $500 on the used market that will be much better. This is the perfect amp for a tube newby. Lots of people will reccomend the vintage stuff and theres nothing wrong with that but I think for a guy whos never used tubes before your better off with something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 IMO, don't bother with the low-end Jolidas. They don't come close to the sound of a NOSValves restored Scott 299 or 222 series. I'm sure someone around here has a rebuilt Scott for sale. The 299b was my first tube amp and I'll never get rid of it. It just sounds too good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 From all reports, when Craig's done with a Scott, it might as well be new with a warranty! So many folks are so happy with those old Scott integrateds, I'd think it would be a safe bet, considering your plans. The only example I've got experience with wasn't given the NOSVlaves treatment until I sold it, unfortunately. Still sounded good, though. I've got an Altec integrated sitting in the basement waiting to be rebuilt. Not a priority, but I'm curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyjoe72 Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 I've been eyeballing you guys talk about tubes and it all sounded foriegn to me. That was a good article. Is it possible to mix it up and use a tube amp for your mains and the receiver for your center and rears? I like the two channel stereo but would love to hear my klf 20's sing to some tubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lipinski Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 excellent thread. i've had wonderful SS equipment since a teenager. but, all the conversation about tubes is in a whole different language. looking forward to reading the other thread and actually listening to tube driven music. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royster Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 ---------------- On 5/19/2005 11:01:46 AM garymd wrote: IMO, don't bother with the low-end Jolidas. They don't come close to the sound of a NOSValves restored Scott 299 or 222 series. I'm sure someone around here has a rebuilt Scott for sale. The 299b was my first tube amp and I'll never get rid of it. It just sounds too good. ---------------- I agree Gary. A refreshed upper grade set up is a better route to travel. Not only does the sound of the Jolida's lack in compairison, I don't think that i could stand the poor track record of the Jolidas quality. IMHO Roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodog Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 ---------------- On 5/19/2005 11:01:46 AM garymd wrote: IMO, don't bother with the low-end Jolidas. They don't come close to the sound of a NOSValves restored Scott 299 or 222 series. I'm sure someone around here has a rebuilt Scott for sale. The 299b was my first tube amp and I'll never get rid of it. It just sounds too good. ---------------- I was trapped by my old mindset of '17 watts surely aren't enough". So I went with a larger, more 'powerful' tube amp. I also jumped on the 299b when the chance presented itself, having heard one in Georgia at Mark1101's home. They are fine, especially when Craig at NOSValves weaves his artistry on them. Woo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyjoe72 Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 keep it simple fellas. Us newbies are looking for start up answers. All these part numbers and such are confusing us dumb folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted May 19, 2005 Author Share Posted May 19, 2005 Thanks for the info so far. I see we are up to 229 and 222. Any others? At this site Scott Site I found out a little about the power of the 229 and 222. I have also found a couple for auction. Some working some not. Some with case some with out. If I want it to look "nice" do I need to find a complete one or can you get the knobs and cases if you are willing to look/wait? I got a message out to Craig...but he is rather busy. How complete does one need to be? Since Craig replaces the caps and rebuilds the power supply I would think it would not have to work, but more or less be intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Hello, I just hit the buy it now on a Scott 299B for $225.00 with shipping included. The guy says he's been using it with no troubles for awhile. My Fisher died,and it's in a box to go to Craig.So I hope the Scott will fill in the void,and it's a decent amp to own. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted May 19, 2005 Author Share Posted May 19, 2005 Looks like a nice find the auction lasted less then 2 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 rplace, It only had 7 lookers,so I thought I should jump on it.Wanted to come here and do a search,but didn't think it would still be there.Fingers crossed! Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Rich, It's "299" not "229" although for all I know there could be such an animal. Just didn't want you to waste time searching the net for a Scott 229. The 299 series went from "A" (or nothing) to "D", the higher the letter, the more power (doesn't necessesarily make it more desirable though). Also look for the "LK" series which were the kits for the DIY'ers. Check the Scott site to match them up. When you drop by the house next time, you can hear my 299b. I think you'll be amazed what 17 wpc can sound like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted May 19, 2005 Author Share Posted May 19, 2005 Thanks Gary...you would think as a computer programmer I would know how to type. Back in the days of typewriters and typing class I skipped the days with numbers. Too much bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 careful: going to garys house can cost you alot of money , i was and still am a tube newbie, i will say the more complete an amp is the better if you buy one, i have heard garys 299 and beleive me it is an awsome beast it kicked the hell out of my 200 wpc phase linear amps, i have since purchased a blueberry (gary has one of these also) and ordered a set of craigs vrd's, i also am using a old dynaco st 70 that needs a tuneup badly but it still sounds better than the phase gear did. lastly i would agree that it will make more since to buy a vintage scott over newer low end gear. AFTERALL I HAVE BEEN TO GARYS AND NOW IM BROKE Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 ---------------- On 5/19/2005 8:06:08 AM spaaaz wrote: ...there may be someone on the forum with a lk-48,299b for sale if I recall ---------------- I have the NOS Valves Scott LK-48 for sale. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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