2. amps-preamps
  3. 182459-180048

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
henry53's avatar
henry53
280 posts
 

I currently have three amps,  in price order low to high, Cayin tube, Naim SS, Vincent pre / power hybrid. My listening time in preference order is Cayin, Vincent , Naim. Solid stare amps have measured better that tubes for 50 years, absolutely but tube amps sound better, if that is what you like. The Naim now powers the TV the Vincent is for sale.

sozocaps OP
5 posts
 

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

 

sozocaps OP
5 posts
 

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

What tube power amps today should I look at ?

Never liked Conrad Johnson 

dcevans
180 posts
 

As above, it would be really helpful to know what your budget is. Also, your speaker selection and sound you are hoping to achieve will likely guide you on the appropriate amp. Congratulations on the Audio Illusions preamp. John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona NJ sells Audio Illusion along with Vandersteen, Ayre, Rogue (solid state, hybrid and tube amps), Audio Research, Quicksilver tube gear, ProAc speakers. I think he would be a great resource for you. Do you like Focal or Vandersteen more? When it comes to both of these brands, I would look to solid state amplification over tubes. If you want a tube amp, would suggest brands like ProAc, Fritz, Klipsch, DeVore with high sensitivity or benign impedance curves or both.

dcevans
180 posts
 

What is most important to you in terms of the sound?  Timbre, tonal accuracy, dynamics (ability to easily transition from low to high volume), holographic soundstage, imaging? The answer to this question will generate better recommendations. 

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