Dirk Diggler Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 What combos have you tried that have a great mix of a great low end and the warm, lush sound that only tubes will provide? I am planning on experimenting with a line tube preamp and quality pair of SS monos. My budget is pretty tight for this system. I am looking at the JM Merlin among others? Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 I am currently running a Merlin Pre with an Alesis SS power amp (75wpc/8 ohms) -- into my LaScalas. The sound is great. I have no complaints at all. (I am picking up a pair of Moondogs, though). Having the SS amp means I can really leave it on all day, or not worry if I forget to turn it off. The preamp generates very little heat (the Merlin has two tubes). I have nothing else fancy at all. Cheap RS interconnects, and old cheap JVC CD player. But the sound is still good to my ears, and that is what counts for me. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 ...and should be what counts to everyone...I should give this a try... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev313 Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 47 Labs Gaincard and Blueberry Xtreme. The BB is new, so the final verdict on the sound is not is. Let it be known, however, that I find it very VERY good at this point. No solid state etch, although that may be a product of this type of amp alone. I imagine a Merlin and a DIY gainclone would be a very economical (likely less than $1000) path to sonic bliss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 Thanks for the input guys. I have heard some nice things about the Merlin. Kev, I am not familiar with gainclone amps. Is this a chip amp? In the meantime, I will try to do a little research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 For a while I used a Merlin and Teac T-amp. Thought the combination was sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 Duke, That is an excellent point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Duke, That is an excellent point. ROFL!!! The gainclone is a chip amp. The Alesis is a rather inexpensive amp sold for studio monitoring. Very inexpensive, has no fans. I have two of them. You can pick up an RA-100 on eBay for about $100. There are way better amps, but this works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev313 Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Follow the link to more on the op-amp design. A google search of gainclone should yield a number of choices. Other options include, of course, all of the pro ss amps that fellow members have been raving about. I haven't heard 'em, though, so I can't comment. http://www.sakurasystems.com/articles/Op-amps%20Junji.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS Button Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whamo Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Currently I have an HK 330b with a MAD 4A se and it sounds nice and dirt cheap too. I picked up the HK for twenty dollars at the local pawn shop. I like this setup for the summer because the dynaco generates so much heat. Definetely more responsive with the solid state amp. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormin Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 There is however one "bad combo" to avoid, expecially if your musical priorities are simply to have gut-busting, pant-flapping, floor-shaking, window-rattling, solar plexus punching bass. md LMAO. Sounds rather ridiculous when you put it that way. Do we really sound that bad Mark?[] Duke started it.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 Mark, Thanks for the info on impedence matching. I would like a solid bottom end, but want a balanced system as much as anything. Any recommendations on a good, affordable (under a grand, pre-owned) that will mate well with your Merlin? The Peach is out of my budget a bit. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodog Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Me Good sound at BS home, that's for sure! Woo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorjen Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 BBX and Rotel RB-1090. Great combo with my La Scalas. Can you say, HEADROOM? What lack of bass? [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 The Alesis is a rather inexpensive amp sold for studio monitoring. Very inexpensive, has no fans. Whaddaya mean? Sounds like YOU like it... ;^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Oh, I use a BBX and the TEAC amp previously owned by Dee. Eventually, I will get one of my tube amps up and running (I have probably 10 that need work!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 Fini, You ARE the master. I love your sense of humor, btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankphess Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 I have been using a Bottlehead Foreplay with an Anthem MCA-20 with much success. It is dead quiet with a black backround. It does lack some bass, but the detail and imaging are fantastic. I use this combo for moderate to low level listening. On another note, I plan to use a recently purchased Peach with the Anthem, however I'm having issues with a ground loop problem and awaiting new tubes, so I can not comment on this combo as of yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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