Tube Curiosity

Calypso · Nov 15, 2024

I am looking for suggestions for a tube amplifier as I am very interested in experiencing the “tube” sound. One constraint is that I live in Canada, so preferably it can be sourced here. That way if I have any issues, they can be more easily resolved. Looking forward to your expert guidance.

ddude003 · Nov 17, 2024

Do you have a description of what your system is now and will the new tube amp sit in the current system? Do you currently have a separate preamp? Do you have a rough idea of a target price point for this new tube amp?

Audio Research and McIntosh are some well known manufactures...

Also, if you have a player app that accepts signal processing plugins, there are many tube and transformer saturation emulations available and may be included in some EQ plugins... Google is your frenemy...

Calypso · Nov 17, 2024

ddude003 said:
Do you have a description of what your system is now and will the new tube amp sit in the current system? Do you currently have a separate preamp? Do you have a rough idea of a target price point for this new tube amp?

Audio Research and McIntosh are some well known manufactures...

Also, if you have a player app that accepts signal processing plugins, there are many tube and transformer saturation emulations available and may be included in some EQ plugins... Google is your frenemy...

Please see attachment for my current system. I would insert an RCA switch in between the preamp and the MiniDSP, so that the room correction is still applied. From a price point, I was thinking used between $1500-$2000 Canadian. I am watching a Conrad Johnson MV-55 unit and hoping it falls into my price range assuming of course, that this is a good starting point.

Open to all suggestions and/or recommendations. Thanks.

ddude003 · Nov 18, 2024

That used CJ MV-55 looks to be a nice starting point if it is in good condition... And you may need to swap some tubes... Those 12AX7A trioid tubes can sound nice, are pretty popular, can be had from a number of new and old manufactures and from a number of sources...

You might also be look out for a used Prima Luna tube amplifier... I have had one of their tube preamplifiers for a while and am very happy with it...

Again, I would suggest you look into a plugin emulation which would allow you to hear that tube saturation for a very modest price... Maybe even free... Here is just a small sample of these... https://www.sageaudio.com/articles/top-9-free-saturation-plugins Another example is https://tone-empire.com/shop/valvekult/

Calypso · Nov 18, 2024

The unit looks to be well cared for and comes also with a set of Sophia Electric EL34 tubes with only about 50-75 hours on them. I will expand my search to cover Prima Luna. I was not aware of a plugin emulation, so appreciate the tip.

ddude003 · Nov 18, 2024

Your most welcome @Calypso... Another way to approach this tube curiosity would to go for a tubed preamp as opposed to a tubed amp... Which gets to that tube goodness earlier in the process... It is just another way to spin up tubed warmth and saturation... You might even look into this hybrid style built into a single integrated kit like McIntosh has... Like the MC252 for instance... You might also listen to both triode and pentode gain stage small signal tubes as they do sound different...

Calypso · Nov 18, 2024

ddude003 said:
Your most welcome @Calypso... Another way to approach this tube curiosity would to go for a tubed preamp as opposed to a tubed amp... Which gets to that tube goodness earlier in the process... It is just another way to spin up tubed warmth and saturation... You might even look into this hybrid style built into a single integrated kit like McIntosh has... Like the MC252 for instance... You might also listen to both triode and pentode gain stage small signal tubes as they do sound different...

Interesting coincidence as in browsing the PrimaLuna site I saw the preamplifiers. I need to do a lot more researc, learning, and listening. I am going to see if there is a nearby HiFi store with a range of systems so I can learn what to listen for both good and bad. Will update you and thanks again. Already, listened to the videos on the emulators.

ddude003 · Nov 18, 2024

Many of those emulation plugins have a 15 day demo... No reason to not try a bunch of those emulations before spending big $$$ on hardware... I have a tube pre and add some nice emulations as a layer on top of room correction DSP... It is just another way towards AV NIRVANA...

Calypso · Nov 19, 2024

ddude003 said:
Many of those emulation plugins have a 15 day demo... No reason to not try a bunch of those emulations before spending big $$$ on hardware... I have a tube pre and add some nice emulations as a layer on top of room correction DSP... It is just another way towards AV NIRVANA...

So you have a PC in your chain and you do the correction after the DSP?

Calypso · Nov 19, 2024

Calypso said:
So you have a PC in your chain and you do the emulation after the DSP?

ddude003 · Nov 19, 2024

Calypso said:
So you have a PC in your chain and you do the correction after the DSP?

I use a MacBook Pro or a PC running Audirvana Studio as my player... > Wifi > Lumin U1 Mini streamer > Chord DAC > PrimaLuna Tube Preamp > McIntosh SS Amp > Martin Logan ESLs... Audirvana allows up to 4 plugins... In my case I use the HangLoose Convolver for Room Correction DSP using FIR filters first and then one of several classic Equalizer emulation plugins which also include tube and/or transformer saturation to taste... Yes, I know, I am basically remastering on-the-fly... :olddude:

I should note that there are plugin host applications which kind of hijacks a host systems audio routing witch can use what ever plugin at the host os level and affects all system audio... So you could use any player and still get the DSPs of your additional room correction DSP as well as your tube and/transformer saturation...

I hope that helps a bit... Keep asking questions...

Calypso · Nov 20, 2024

ddude003 said:
I use a MacBook Pro or a PC running Audirvana Studio as my player... > Wifi > Lumin U1 Mini streamer > Chord DAC > PrimaLuna Tube Preamp > McIntosh SS Amp > Martin Logan ESLs... Audirvana allows up to 4 plugins... In my case I use the HangLoose Convolver for Room Correction DSP using FIR filters first and then one of several classic Equalizer emulation plugins which also include tube and/or transformer saturation to taste... Yes, I know, I am basically remastering on-the-fly...

I should note that there are plugin host applications which kind of hijacks a host systems audio routing witch can use what ever plugin at the host os level and affects all system audio... So you could use any player and still get the DSPs of your additional room correction DSP as well as your tube and/transformer saturation...

I hope that helps a bit... Keep asking questions...

So you are using your Audirvana plug-in to further vary the sound beyond what your preamplifier produces?

ddude003 · Nov 20, 2024

Calypso said:
So you are using your Audirvana plug-in to further vary the sound beyond what your preamplifier produces?

Essentially yes... Audirvana is a player application that allows up to 4 DSP plugins... I have a basic B&K house curve baked into the room correction DSP with the HangLoose Convolver for what I consider a natural and neutral sound (plugin #1)... Then I add a layer of additional EQ plus tube/transformer saturation to taste (plugin #2)... This is all done digitally before being sent to the DAC and Tube Preamplifier, etc... Some music sounds better with some additional bass... Some better with a little extra air... And some with additional bass and air... Same with tube and transformer saturation... Some needs trioid warmth and some needs pentode detail... Of course, your kit, ears and brain are your own individual path to AudioNirvana...

Calypso · Nov 25, 2024

@ddude003 - What are your thoughts on PrimaLuna Prologue Four? Is $1500 CDN a reasonable ask? Rated 9/10 condition wise and pictures back up the rating. Thanks in advance.

ddude003 · Nov 25, 2024

One of the first Amps by Prima Luna... @ 35 watts per channel it should power your Kef Metas pretty well... The build of these amps and preamps IMO is first class... Tubes should be easy to find for rolling or replacement... Price seems reasonable... Not a bad find for a first tube amp...

Calypso · Nov 25, 2024

ddude003 said:
One of the first Amps by Prima Luna... @ 35 watts per channel it should power your Kef Metas pretty well... The build of these amps and preamps IMO is first class... Tubes should be easy to find for rolling or replacement... Price seems reasonable... Not a bad find for a first tube amp...

Thanks for the guidance!

Calypso · Nov 28, 2024

@ddude003 - I have a Fosi P2 headphone amp and here is the list of tubes that it supports: JAN 5654W/6j1/6J4/GE5654/6AK5/6*1n/ E180F/6ж9П/EF861/6688 tubes. I listen to smooth jazz, female singers, guitarist (Jesse Cook). Is there a tube from the list that you would recommend trying? Thanks.

ddude003 · Nov 29, 2024

@Calypso, I don't have any direct experience with this type of pentode tube or the Fosi P2 amp... The GE 7-Pin 5654W tube you linked to above seems good enough, better than the stock tubes... Not sure if they are a matched set or have had any magic done like cyro... Sorry I couldn't be more help here... You might see if there are some of these tubes available from a Russian brand like Tung-Sol as those seem to be a little richer/warmer sounding... You might also have a look at https://upscaleaudio.com/pages/tube-basics-and-frequently-asked-questions

Tube Curiosity

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