TommyC Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Yes, I realize that "Cheap Tube Amp" is somewhat of an oxymoron, or maybe I should say "Good, Cheap Tube Amp" but I am looking to replace my Terrible Sony intigrated amp with tubes and my budget is around $600 on the low end up to around $800 on the high end. Possible to do and end up with good sound through a set of 1985 Heresy 1.5s? For now the source will just be a cheap Pioneer CD Player, but a return to Vinyl is in my not TOO distant future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Look for Scott or Fisher, or a Sansui AU-70, etc. They can be had for well into that price range, and usually you can replace the tubes with new JJ's (much better quality these days...), or Sovteks to get you started. When you find a reasonable amp (that's guaranteed at least to be working....), determine the tubes required, and check out tubedepot.com, vaccumtube.com, etc. Also you should read http://www.vacuumtube.com/FAQ1.htm that gives a good overview of what's out there in tubes. Also for someone new to tubes, http://shop.vacuumtube.com/content/Vacuum_Tubes_and_History.htm is an excellent overview. Hope that is of some assistance. BTW, Heresy's sound very, very good (as do all Klipsch Heritage...) on a Sansui AU-111 6L6 based tube amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donkeyshins Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Are you adverse to rolling your own (e.g. building from a kit)? If not, then I highly recommend the DIYTube ST35 'kit' (http://www.diytube.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1). You can either buy a board, transformers and chassis and stuff it yourself or buy a kit from Triode Electronics (http://store.triodestore.com/diy35kit.html). The former approach can be less expensive (e.g. buying Edcor output transformers instead of the new Z565 transformers from Triode, or buying used Dynaco transformers separately), but is more challenging if you aren't comfortable with building a kit. The latter approach is easier because it is a complete kit and you don't have to source your own parts. The downside of the Triode Electronics kit is no provision for multiple inputs or volume control. However, you could pair it with something like the TCC TC-754 (review here: http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/t-preamp_e.html) and be well below your $600 - $800 range (since the amp kit is $450 and the preamp is $80) and have the ability to add vinyl without purchasing a phono preamp. The TCC stuff may look cheezy, but it boxes well above its weight class (I have one of their phono preamps that I use for ripping LPs to my Zune). The sound of the ST35, especially with upgraded components (as in the DIYTube circuit) is a great bang for the buck and the ST35 is one of the all-time great tube amplifiers. -D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 Just my 2 cents....I had a Mcintosh SS MC 2505...MC250 w/ meters...That was the absolute bomb with heresies....Just a thought.as wold fit to your $$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 I love my scott 299-d with my Heresy II's ................... plus I use a sub ....... any NOSvavled Scott should bring a smile to your face !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyC Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 I have been looking for a 299-D for a while, but those things are getting tough to find around here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 These sound great through heresies..........oh never mind.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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