Fizzlemizzle Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I'm looking for a reasonably priced stereo tube amp for my rf-5s. I don't know who makes a decent one but I listened to them on my friends McIntosh 225 and I liked the way they sounded. Any recomendations please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 New or used? Integrated or just a power amp? American only, or from anywhere? Low powered single-ended or higher powered push-pull type? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzlemizzle Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 New or used. (i'm not looking to spend much, <700 if possible). I'm not sure what you mean by integrated or power amp. Is amp just stereo rca inputs and power outputs? It doesnt have to be american if it sounds nice. And power shouldnt be a big issue since the rf-5s are pretty efficent at 99db/1watt and I probably wont crank them. Thanks for the help; i'm very new to tube amps (the mcintosh was the first i've played with) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spongeworthy Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Based on your budget, I would consider a used TAD-60 on Audiogon. Great amp for the money and it can be used as a single input integrated as well. I use Rogue amps and love them. The rogue 88s and 90s are really good for the money. I know others on the forum love the old Scott integrated amps, but there are alot of good offerings under your budget that won't require the service. Klipsch speakers do like quality amplification. Most are very truthful speakers. Garbage in - garbage out. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzlemizzle Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 Thanks for the suggestions but it seems tube amplifiers arent easy to come by (more brands would be great) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Oh there are plenty of tube amp brands. Check in with Craig Otsby at nosvalves.com he occaisonally has interesting stuff for sale. For 700 bucks you could more than likely find a rebuilt Scott or Dynaco if you look around. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 There are indeed plenty of tube amp manufacturers out there...also check eBay or AudiogoN for starters. By the way, an integrated amp is like a stereo receiver but without the tuner section...an amp and preamp rolled into one chassis. If you already have a preamplifier to control your sources and to adjust volume, balance and tone, then a stereo amplifier (like the McIntosh MC225 you heard) is all you need. The TAD-60 is designed by Paul Grzybek of Tube Audio Design and built by the same Hong-Kong firm BEZ that built my own 300B SET amp. Although I have never heard the 50Wpc TAD-60, I can attest from my BEZ amp and preamp that they're well built and affordable tube components that mate well with Klipsch (I've used Cornwalls, KG-5.5s and my present RB-75s satisfactorily): http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/TAD-60.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzlemizzle Posted March 10, 2008 Author Share Posted March 10, 2008 Thanks for all the helpful replies. It's still pretty confusing not knowing which amps are good but as time goes on i'm sure i'll get an idea of which one to get. I'm liking the TAD-60 a lot. I found one on ebay for 900 but it will be gone by the time i'll have that to blow. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Like Josh said, go on Craig's site: http://www.nosvalves.com/ and see what classic tube amps he has available. Or go on eBay and find one similar to what Craig restores (H.H. Scott, Dynaco, Fisher, Pilot, EICO, Heathkit, et al) that's within your budget and then send it off to him to do his magic. After Craig's done with it, you'll essentially have a brand new tube amp for a fraction of a new one that'll last you for many years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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