whatever55 Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 I have a pair of Belles and was told to buy tubes... McIntosh is my first choice.... any other choices ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Type of music? How loud do you listen? Size of room? Budget for preamp and power amp? (or integrated amp) McIntosh is good stuff; some better stuff may be lower in cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatever55 Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 All types of music except rap or disco. Loud 20 x 17 If its good maybe up to 5 - 7 K I have been thinking of a tube preamp and maybe use my SX-1980 for power. Getting the warmth of tubes and the tight bass of SS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Well, that depends on 'a' (which depends on 'b' (which depends on 'c' (which depends on... ...(which depends on 'x' (which depends on 'y' (which depends on 'z')))))))))))))))))))))))))). a = how loud do you like it? b = do you play records or CDs? c = how big is your listening room? d = what kind of music do you like? e = do you know how much you want to spend on the amp? f = are you handy with a soldering iron? g = do you have fire insurance? h = do you have a fire extinguisher? i = do you intend to utilise a sub? j = do you have a specific amp located or will you need to search for it? k = what amps have you heard in the past that you liked? l = what are you using with the Belles now? m = what do you like about your current amp? n = what don;t you like about your current amp? o = will you be considering having the replacement amp serviced or upgraded? p = how old are the Belles? q = what crossover networks are in the Belles? r = will you be using separates or an integrated amp? s = will this be a two channnel system or HT? t = do you listen mostly by yourself or do you entertain friends? u = have you used tube gear before? v = why is Mac your first choice? w = do you have any technical contacts that could help solve any problems with a Mac? x = what are your expectations with getting a tube amp, a Mac? y = do you use an FM tuner, or plan to do so? z = ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Two that come to mind are BAT and CAT. I can't compare either to Mac, and suppose both are well outside your budget if bought new. I prefer tubes in both pre and amplifier, but that's just MHO. I've only heard the least expensive BAT pre, the VK-3ix ($2,500) w/internal SS phono stage ($500) at a forum member's house. I thought it was quite musical, but would need to be evaluated with the rest of the system. I've owned a CAT SL-1 Signature since 1993, eventually upgrading it to the MK III -- very smooth, realistic midrange and treble, a bit weak in the bass. It has a 46 db phono stage, which is more than enough for a moving magnet cart and high-output moving coil, but not enough for a low-output MC. I'm putting it up for sale on Audiogon in the near future. Mark Deneen's Juicy Music pres are very good, and I think the Blueberry Xtreme is outstanding -- and only more so with the remarkable price of less than $2k. See http://juicymusicaudio.com. Hope this helps in some small way, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I'd second Larry's suggestion to check out Juicy Music. If you don't need a phono stage, you can get into a Merlin for 8 large. It is a bang for the buck killer preamp, IMO. I'm listening to one right now on LaScalas with a Hafler (I got out of the closet last week) power amp. The sound is fabulous to my ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Tubes?, I take that as a question, if not completely made your mind up about SS or Tubes, take a couple of minutes and look at this stuff, Just another choice;............. WWW.OUTLAWAUDIO.COM Worth a look......Interesting product....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 All types of music except rap or disco. Loud 20 x 17 If its good maybe up to 5 - 7 K I have been thinking of a tube preamp and maybe use my SX-1980 for power. Getting the warmth of tubes and the tight bass of SS. IMHO 1. I would get a new set of crosovers from Dean G. New and higher quality caps do exellent improvments to soundstage and detail. 2. SX 1980 Pioneer vintage receiver? A nice unit in its day; even if recapped and you really have 5000 usd to spend it needs to be relocated to another room or the garage with a pair of Hereseys. 3. VRD mono block power amplifiers from NOS Valves. The firm bass of SS with the musical detail of tubes. I would already own one but I had to buy the Belles that I unexpectedly found availiable. Plus my power amp is a maximum modded vintage Scott from NOS Valves. He tests all the amps he builds or modifys with LaScalas, so he understands how a horn loaded three way speaker sounds. 4. Juicy Music Blueberry stereo tube preamp. Many buy the Peach but are later lured into vinyl. If you do not ned the HT bypass feature of the Peach I would go with the Blueberry. Modded vintage tube power amps are a solid investment if updated by a competent technician. It saves you money and has limitations in attack, decay and bass weight compared to a VRD but still very non fatiguing and pleasant. All three of these "gentlemen" have excellent customer satisfaction. So rare to get to talk to the guy who does the work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Yeah!...what AudioFlynn said...from an EICO HF-81 integrated to NOSValves VRDs and JMA BlueBerry...sweet! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 ...and Mark of Juicy Music owns Belles as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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