Tube Curiosity

[Calypso]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.