Tube amps?

[zumbo]

I am getting interested in the tube amps because of so much praise. I was thinking of building a 2-channel system. I have no idea as to who the mid-fi contenders are. Some of this stuff is just toooooo expansive. Some of it has low power specs. While drooling over some Manley stuff, I saw Rob Babcock mention the Butler TDB 3150. Now that has good power, and a decent price. So, what is a good direction to start looking (brands).

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Zumbo, we are supposed to evolve as audioholics not revert to the past. If tubes were better for amps don't you think Krell and Levinson would use them? I find it odd Yamaha and Denon don't make tube receivers don't you. I mean jeesh wouldn't you want the finest sounding receiver if you were them I will leave the tube amps to the guitar players and I will use a transistor one to hear it played back accurately But hey, it's your money, do what you want and be happy

 

[zumbo]

Have you seen this: http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb5150.php

or these: http://www.manleylabs.com/hifimain99.html

 

[pearsall001]

Zumbo

I've got an excellent piece of gear for sale in the classified section. It is a Jolida 502B integrated tube amp w/ the mod package done by Chris Johnson the founder of Sonic Frontiers. Check it out. If interested or if you have any questions send me a PM.

 

[zumbo]

I've got an excellent piece of gear for sale in the classified section. It is a Jolida 502B integrated tube amp w/ the mod package done by Chris Johnson the founder of Sonic Frontiers. Check it out. If interested or if you have any questions send me a PM.

Thanks. Just learning right now.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Have you seen this: http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb5150.php

or these: http://www.manleylabs.com/hifimain99.html

Yes, check out the THD on that Manley power amp, 1.5% and costs $5K+???

Tubes are nostalgic, nothing more.

 

[zumbo]

Yes, check out the THD on that Manley power amp, 1.5% and costs $5K+???

Tubes are nostalgic, nothing more.

So, this is like "Harley Davidson is the best".

 

[zumbo]

Yes, check out the THD on that Manley power amp, 1.5% and costs $5K+???

Tubes are nostalgic, nothing more.

What about the Butler? .10 @ 8ohm & .15 @ 4ohm. Not a problem. Right? That thing just looks killer to me.

 

[WmAx]

What about the Butler? .10 @ 8ohm & .15 @ 4ohm. Not a problem. Right? That thing just looks killer to me.

Well, even 1.5% THD is not likely to be audible. I think the point is that tube amplifiers are clearly outclassed in technical performance as compard to solid state devices, yet tube based devices cost significantly higher per watt. But tubes sure are pretty...

-Chris

 

[MacManNM]

So, this is like "Harley Davidson is the best".

I would say tubes and Harley’s have a LOT in common.

I'm really surprised at you guys out there, normally you would have shredded someone that started a thread like this! Must be that it's the holidays.

 

[zumbo]

I would say tubes and Harley’s have a LOT in common.

I'm really surprised at you guys out there, normally you would have shredded someone that started a thread like this! Must be that it's the holidays.

Actually, I was expecting the opposite response. I thought more of the older members were into tubes.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Zumbo, I think you would be deeply disappointed with a tube amp after hearing your excellent Adcom that you have, you still have it correct? If your not happy, look to a higher-end solid state one, but stay clear of tube amps. IMHO

Guitar players are getting away from tubes as well. Companies like line6, behringer and Digitech have created some awesome solid-state signal processors that duplicate the sound that tubes create.

 

[zumbo]

Zumbo, I think you would be deeply disappointed with a tube amp after hearing your excellent Adcom that you have, you still have it correct? If your not happy, look to a higher-end solid state one, but stay clear of tube amps. IMHO

Yes. I have the Adcom. Jamming some Days of the New at the moment. I was not planning on changing my current set-up, but was beginning research for a 2-channel(music only) system. Then that Butler amp was listed on another thread. So, after all the goo goo I have seen and heard about tubes, I wondered if my current 5.1 should evolve, instead of a seperate 2-channel system. Anyway, I dream of some B&W 801's powered by something.

 

[zumbo]

Zumbo, I think you would be deeply disappointed with a tube amp after hearing your excellent Adcom that you have, you still have it correct? If your not happy, look to a higher-end solid state one, but stay clear of tube amps. IMHO

Guitar players are getting away from tubes as well. Companies like line6, behringer and Digitech have created some awesome solid-state signal processors that duplicate the sound that tubes create.

So, do you think "pro gear" is better suited for 2-channel than current "hi-fi" gear? The cost and specs seem to say so.

 

[WmAx]

Yes. I have the Adcom. Jamming some Days of the New at the moment. I was not planning on changing my current set-up, but was beginning research for a 2-channel(music only) system. Then that Butler amp was listed on another thread. So, after all the goo goo I have seen and heard about tubes, I wondered if my current 5.1 should evolve, instead of a seperate 2-channel system. Anyway, I dream of some B&W 801's powered by something.

I bet that most of these tube promoters also promote exotic cables.... hmmm.... how credible could their perceptions possibly be?

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

So, do you think "pro gear" is better suited for 2-channel than current "hi-fi" gear? The cost and specs seem to say so.

If cost is an issue, and you only desire raw technical performance, then yes, pro-gear is far superior to 'hi-end' gear.

-Chris

 

[jeffsg4mac]

So, do you think "pro gear" is better suited for 2-channel than current "hi-fi" gear? The cost and specs seem to say so.

Don't know as far as amps go. I would love to have Gene shakedown one of those Behringer A500 amps and see how it fared. I have the Behringer DEQ 96/24 and it is great. I would love to listen to some pro amps myself and see how they sound with music. Could be very interesting indeed I would certainly not hesitate using one of those behringer amps to power a sub. I might just do that very thing. Two dual 10in subs flat to 18hz with each one being powered by a bridged Behringer A500.

 

[WmAx]

Don't know as far as amps go. I would love to have Gene shakedown one of those Behringer A500 amps and see how it fared. I have the Behringer DEQ 96/24 and it is great. I would love to listen to some pro amps myself and see how they sound with music. Could be very interesting indeed I would certainly not hesitate using one of those behringer amps to power a sub. I might just do that very thing. Two dual 10in subs flat to 18hz with each one being powered by a bridged Behringer A500.

Audio Critic already measured A500 in depth if you are interested in it's actual performance. I posted results of this in a post not too long ago in this forum.

For subs, I would recommend a higher powered amplifier such as the Behringer EP2500 that is also 2 ohm stabile(in case you want to use some specific car subwoofers, etc.).

-Chris

 

[zumbo]

If cost is an issue, and you only desire raw technical performance, then yes, pro-gear is far superior to 'hi-end' gear.

-Chris

The "pro gear" seems to cost less.

Ex: Crown, Ashly, Behringer.

 

[zumbo]

Audio Critic already measured A500 in depth if you are interested in it's actual performance. I posted results of this in a post not too long ago in this forum.

For subs, I would recommend a higher powered amplifier such as the Behringer EP2500 that is also 2 ohm stabile(in case you want to use some specific car subwoofers, etc.).

-Chris

http://www.ashly.com/product/amplifiers.htm