2. amps-preamps
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Considering switching to Tubes

Hello all, 

For the last ten or so years I've been listening to music on my home stereo, and for the last 10 or so years I have been 100% content with everything about it. And then my best friend brought by a Chinese integrated tube amp, and my world fell apart. 

Currently the set up is:
Speakers: B&W 805s 
Amp: Rotel RB1070
Preamp: Rotel RC1070 
CD player: Rotel RCC1055
DAC: TEAC UD301 

The B&W and Rotel gear was purchased whe  I worked at an electronics retail store through the employee purchase program (I think it was cost -10%), the TEAC was added to try out streaming through the system, which in all honesty is what I do 99% of the time now. 

My friend and former colleague brought over a recently acquired Yaqin MC100B, and I simply can't stress enough how much more I enjoyed listen to the music off of that integrated Amp. 

Which leads me to my questions, should I just give in, and grab a relatively affordable tube amp? And secondly, I've been reading (mostly about Yaqin, because I'm not in the position currently to invest 5000+) up on their various models, and the two that seem to be what in looking for are either the MC100B which I've heard on my system and the MC13S, which I have not. The first uses KT88s and the second uses EL34s, I'm not a big bass loving guy, and the EL34s intrigue me, but I'm a hesitant to jump in without listening to them. The snag is, I live in the arctic, and the only really way for me to try them at home, is to purchase them. 

I'm open to arguments for and against swapping out the rotel, for yaqin.


Cheers, 

E 
esp803
durkn
68 posts
 
I had SS equipment many years ago
Wanted to go tubes, so started with the preamp.
Was looking at Audible Illusions preamp but saw good reviews on the VTL TL-2.5
Auditioned one & was sold.
Upgraded amp & cables & was shocked at how good this preamp is.

20 years later wanted to stay with VTL so upgraded to TL-5.5 series 1 preamp.
It’s more articulate. 

Always thought about getting tube monoblock amps but found a good SS amp & when driven with a tube preamp, I don’t feel the need to change the amp.

I think you do need tube equipment in the chain.

I have a tube preamp, SS amp, & tube DAC.
The tube DAC makes the digital more listenable.

Solid state vs tube is like a four stroke dirt bike vs a two stroke dirt bike.




gtechaudio60
7 posts
 
I own a Marantz 2325, 2285, had some solid state Mac's 2100 C26 etc.. I switched to Tube, built a Pair of KIT  Dynaco MkIII with KT90's, rebuilt a pair of Heathkit AA-121's and now own a Music Reference RM 9. Driving the RM 9 with a Scott LC-21 Preamp which I like better than the Marantz 3300 which I also own. I have a Jolida Glass FC tube Dac, I have a couple of Dynaco PAS 3 preamps, Dynaco CDV Pro tube CD player and a Sony CDR W33, pair of JBL 4430's. Teac 3440 RR . Nothing beats Tube Audio IMHO. For the heck of it, I'm going to rebuild a Dynaco Stereo 400 SS amp just to compare to the RM 9.
dualmarantz
18 posts
 
I didn't read all the comments, so someone might have mentioned this, but I can highly recommend Bob Latino's tubes4hifi site as a source for really great tube amplifiers. What he's done is essentially to provide a modern, highly upgraded, high-quality replica of the legendary best-selling Dynaco Stereo 70 at a very reasonable price. It's not a refurb or rebuild--all the parts are 100% new. You can either buy it as a kit and build it yourself (the instructions are said to be very clear and very good) or buy one already assembled.
I have the ST70 (made by Bob) and it's the best bang for the buck I've ever experienced in hi-fi. Currently not using it, but only because I don't have room for a stereo in my current home.

Plus, Bob's customer service is absolutely first rate.

I have zero connection or financial interest, I'm just a (very) satisfied customer.
passet02's avatar
passet02
267 posts
 
Tube amps required work and new tubes that only last at least for me a month . By from a known company  you need to service them
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,566 posts
 
I bought a Line Magnetic 216 integrated amp some years back. This was a very reputable Chinese made and engineered KT88 amp. It’s been fantastic, but I don’t know what the company has been doing now. I think one of the brothers passed away, so LM Audio may have changed philosophy? Anyway, at that time they were keeping much of the Western Electric ideas in their designs, which is part of the reason, I think their amps excelled. They also stood behind the product, when after 3 years, a transformer went bad. BTW with easy to drive speakers the amp sounds very, very good. I had replaced the stock tubes (did not have to do so, but wanted to try something new) with Gold Lion KT88 and the smaller tubes with NOS Sylvania tubes and the amp sounded even quieter and better.
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