Building a new system after many years away, need some suggestions ... !


Thanks for the help all.... All opinions welcomed !!!

I have been away from high end audio for 10+ years but my wife expressed intreest in collecting vinal. I bought my wife a turntable ATLP-7 and of course you know what happened... and here I am. The reason I was away for some time is I am a pretty accomplished musician and I have a recording studio with state of the art digital recording, Apogee Digital, Neve , Avalon, and API etc... class A preamps and speakers (top of the line Focals etc..) but man somehow records still sound so magical, almost like nothing is between you and the live analog microphone feed.

I used to own a Audible Illusions M3A, Quicksilver M60 monoblocks, silver audio cable and Vandersteen’s but sold it when I moved to buy my bigger house.

I have some active speakers and the turntable for her now need a real preamp etc...but want to put a full system together again with some floor standing speakers (full range not necessary) Polk r700’s ?

I was wondering if the tube pre’s were still worth it with tech coming pretty far in the last 10 years. I imagine the SS measures better now. Im open to differnt opintions. In the end for her and I it’s more about that enjoyment more than me feeling like I’m mastering something.

 

Of course I’m looking at the Audible 3B but it's a lot of spend on a pre but will.... I do think I want to go SS on the Power Amp this time but again open. Currently have an old Rotel here that may get used for a bit as I get the speakers and other pieces together.

 

Any suggestions welcomed !

 

Thanks !

John

sozocaps

Showing 4 responses by sozocaps

So for me wireless speakers are 100% not an option. I have a turntable which made me fall in love with listening to music again. I have a recording studio with top of the line digital and Focals. I did go tube on the pre, I just order a Modulus 3B so now looking for amp/amps, speakers, cables, modest DAC and maybe a phono cartridge upgrade for my lp7. 

Thanks for the suggestions all.!!!

Preamp, I bought the Audible Illusions M3B

Whats left... need suggestions for:

Phono Cartage

DAC

Power Amps (I do like tubes but still not sure on the power amps. )

Speakers

 

Ok on the topic of the power amps.... 

What tube power amps today should I look at ?

Never liked Conrad Johnson 

I love holographic soundstage and imaging and which is why I like the tube preamp but I do not like soft highs or loose bass. My old Quicksilver m60’s with EL34’s had personality in the mids which I like but were a bit lacking in the extremes. I did not try different tubes which may have fixed that. I would say I overall I am not an EL34 kind of guy, a bit too colored for me possibly. Solid State when I had it in my system (old Rotel RB951 still have it) was obviously not as deep or holographic of course but it was a bit more neutral from what I remember which is why I was wondering what current Tube amps offer the best of both today. I know there are TONS of solid state amps now like the Benchmark etc... but I do not want zero personality either.

 

Thanks !