How to choose tube amp

[ifsixwasnin9]

I have JBL L110 speakers. Budget is very limited (less than $350)for tube amp. I listen to classic rock at low volume and like the quasi-concert experience I get from these speakers. (It's possible I may move to a Klipsch Chorus or Forte in future.) What type of wattage should I be looking for in tube amp, what type tubes? I'd like to use the amp as power amp if possible. (I have Carver preamp which I really like because it has 3 tone controls and helps me greatly EQ the sound. I find EQ needs adjusting from CD to CD in my 13x15x8H bedroom.) Are the Asian amps (Yaqin, Mengyue, etc.) decent tube amps? Currently using Yamaha 100W solid state amp.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Why is it that you want a tube amp? For $350 you can get one heck of a new solid state amp.

 

[rojo]

Why do people dig turntables? Can't fault him for wanting to try a tube amp. I've got a friend who has a pair of KLH bookshelfs who tells me they're pretty meh on a solid state amp, but amazeballs powered by tubes. Admittedly, the only tube amps I've ever listened to have been live performance cabinet amps and my parents' old console stereo, both of which I thought had a really pleasant tone.

I believe the lightbulb-shaped tubes are better sounding than those that are tampon-shaped, but they're over 100 bucks a tube. I think you get what you pay for, and I doubt you'll get what you expect within your budget. But I've read good and bad about yaqin, nothing about mengyue, and nice things about dared (albeit from reviewers who probably rarely have a critical word to say about anything they review, so caveat emptor)

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

 

[markw]

Well, just don't fall for the hype that tube watts are more powerful than solid state watts. The only difference is that they sound different when they are overdriven.

And, to me the phrase "low volume and like the quasi-concert experience" seems like a classic oxymoron.

 

[ifsixwasnin9]

Tube amp for better performance, response, etc. than Solid State? Isn't that why audio enthusiasts turn to them?

 

[Irvrobinson]

Tube amp for better performance, response, etc. than Solid State? Isn't that why audio enthusiasts turn to them?

No, tube amplifier enthusiasts turn to them because they are convinced that solid state amplifiers don't sound "warm", or in some way make music "less musical". Some tube amplifiers do have a high enough output impedance that they interact in audible ways with some speakers loads, and that can make certain amp-speaker combinations sound very audibly different. I think some audiophiles conclude that, therefore, tube amplifiers sound different from one another while solid state amplifiers all sound alike. I they interpret the differences as revealing more, rather than as a source of coloration. Flawed thinking, in my opinion.

For the money, tube amps never have better performance. It is possible to make very good tube amplifiers, but they typically cost quite a bit, because the tubes themselves are expensive, and they are driven by high-voltage power supplies. I recommend that you should ignore tube designs and choose a good solid state one.

 

[Adam]

Tubes can look pretty darn cool, though. Seriously. I'm often tempted by the looks of some of them, but it seems like the nice looking ones cost way outside of my price range...by thousands of dollars. Solid state absolutely wins in the price/performance realm, like others have said.

 

[Swerd]

JBL L-110s were said to have a power handling capacity of 75 watts continuous program. JBL L110 Owner's Manual (Page 3 of 11)

Considering the high price of tube amplifiers, anything you might find for less than $350 is likely to provide inadequate power for your speakers. Those L-110s were said to be decent speakers. Don't shortchange them. You will have to spend a lot more than $350 to find a tube amplifier better than the Yamaha amp you already have.

 

[lsiberian]

JBL L-110s were said to have a power handling capacity of 75 watts continuous program. JBL L110 Owner's Manual (Page 3 of 11)

Considering the high price of tube amplifiers, anything you might find for less than $350 is likely to provide inadequate power for your speakers. Those L-110s were said to be decent speakers. Don't shortchange them. You will have to spend a lot more than $350 to find a tube amplifier better than the Yamaha amp you already have.

Oddwatt has nice kits that are nice. I think we can all agree you don't hook up tubes to get gobs of power. They sure are pretty though.

 

[ski2xblack]

If you want to steer away from the Chinese kit and more towards a domestic source, I know of some folks who may be able to help you out. For your budget, that will probably be a minimalist single ended amp, but given you're intended listening levels, that may be right up your alley. They aren't heavy on the power, but are heavy on the tube sound, very seductive with guitar-centric classic rock. PM me for details.

The upthread posts are correct, such devices can hardly be described as amps, more like processors with a tiny bit of forward loop gain. I happen to like the "process" they apply, and you may too. They are among the most interesting processors I've played with, and believe me I've tried every trip toy under the sun. If you do end up with a flea watter, I would also suggest you keep your more powerful linear amp as a backup.

 

[Ampdog]

To agree with Ski2xblack in the sense that many contemporary tube amps colour sound* to an audible extent. This is often a question of taste, so I would strongly advise that you try to get one to audition in your environment or at least listen to one, before you commit yourself. As said by others.

* This needs not necessarily be, but many modern tube amps 'sin' in the way of being musical instruments in themselves instead of transparent amplifiers only. This is more by way of inadequate design than that being a necessary characteristic of tubes. Matters like 'musical sound', no feedback (as if that were an advantage), etc. - but not to confuzzle you with technicalities at this stage; that is another topic.

 

[j_garcia]

To agree with Ski2xblack in the sense that many contemporary tube amps colour sound* to an audible extent. This is often a question of taste, so I would strongly advise that you try to get one to audition in your environment or at least listen to one, before you commit yourself. As said by others.

Yep, when it comes to tube amps you need to pick it with your EARS, as they impart a certain sound.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Yep, when it comes to tube amps you need to pick it with your EARS, as they impart a certain sound.

I dunno, I've heard tube amps that sound the same as solid state amps. If they're really well-designed I'm not sure there's that much of a difference, except in $/watt. Of course, perhaps you're right. There are some tube amps designed to sound a certain way, so perhaps one does need to listen.

 

[Ampdog]

Irvrobinson,

That is what I was trying to imply, avoiding stepping on nerves. If pardoned for slightly OT: There can-easily/should be no audible difference between the 'sound' of a tube and s.s amp, provided both are properly designed. But certain tube amps have audible 'benign' distortions (mainly 2nd and 3rd), whether so by mediochre design, inadequate knowledge or on purpose to achieve a 'nice sound'; translated: selling value. S.s. amps similarly, only there the result of inadequate design is often stridence and/or listener fatigue instead of 'niceness', because of resultant unfriendly (higher order) harmonics plus other disturbing artifacts common to semiconductors.

Complete specs should show this up but are mostly unavailable, the normal frequency range, t.h.d. and even damping factor having little if any relevance. Thus the second best available way, as in listening under similar conditions. Sorry to be sceptical; sadly it is reality.

Not to discourage our OP. As advised, to go listen and hopefully come to the right conclusion for him.

 

[slipperybidness]

Yep, when it comes to tube amps you need to pick it with your EARS, as they impart a certain sound.

And, with the speakers that you intend to use. Tube amps can have a different sound with different speakers too.

 

[j_garcia]

Irvrobinson,

That is what I was trying to imply, avoiding stepping on nerves. If pardoned for slightly OT: There can-easily/should be no audible difference between the 'sound' of a tube and s.s amp, provided both are properly designed. But certain tube amps have audible 'benign' distortions (mainly 2nd and 3rd), whether so by mediochre design, inadequate knowledge or on purpose to achieve a 'nice sound'; translated: selling value. S.s. amps similarly, only there the result of inadequate design is often stridence and/or listener fatigue instead of 'niceness', because of resultant unfriendly (higher order) harmonics plus other disturbing artifacts common to semiconductors.

Complete specs should show this up but are mostly unavailable, the normal frequency range, t.h.d. and even damping factor having little if any relevance. Thus the second best available way, as in listening under similar conditions. Sorry to be sceptical; sadly it is reality.

Not to discourage our OP. As advised, to go listen and hopefully come to the right conclusion for him.

Shouldn't influence the sound and doesn't influence it are two different things. I've heard plenty of flea watt tubes and some very expensive high power tubes and I do find them pleasing. That doesn't mean I felt I needed to own tubes myself and I'm perfectly satisfied with SS.

And, with the speakers that you intend to use. Tube amps can have a different sound with different speakers too.

Agreed - I knew a guy who spent a lot of time specifically choosing his speaker based on sensitivity and characteristics to suit his flea watt tube (something like 7W?) so he needed something in the mid 90s sensitivity he said, just to be able to get decent SPL with an amp of that low wattage. That's the point at which I think you get into where tubes are altering the sound as you're basically soft clipping them beyond their rating about 50% of the time. Time passer I guess, but I wasn't sold. To each their own.

 

[slipperybidness]

Shouldn't influence the sound and doesn't influence it are two different things. I've heard plenty of flea watt tubes and some very expensive high power tubes and I do find them pleasing. That doesn't mean I felt I needed to own tubes myself and I'm perfectly satisfied with SS.



Agreed - I knew a guy who spent a lot of time specifically choosing his speaker based on sensitivity and characteristics to suit his flea watt tube (something like 7W?) so he needed something in the mid 90s sensitivity he said, just to be able to get decent SPL with an amp of that low wattage. That's the point at which I think you get into where tubes are altering the sound as you're basically soft clipping them beyond their rating about 50% of the time. Time passer I guess, but I wasn't sold. To each their own.

The ability to drive any load (all the way down to a short) is a quality of an ideal power amp.

Choosing speakers based on your amp's abilities is bass ackwards. As long as you understand this, then to each his own.