2. amps-preamps
  3. 160876-151272

Desire to try tubes

So I am new to this have no audio contacts, and low budget it seems based on reading forum. I inherited my brothers Heresy I’s (and LP /CD collection) two years ago and started my journey. First bought a Rega P3 and Rega Fono stage running with existing 20 yo Denon 5.1. Then upgraded the Hereseys from Crites with crossovers and new tweeters (46 yo units). Months later after research and savings bought Stellar GCD and Stellar S 300 amp along with Syzygy SLF 870 sub from Underwoodwally. Nice! Next Marantz 6006 CD as transport and Underwood Emerald Physics and Core Power gold power cords and speaker cables. As able Audio Quest entry connects for all. Each move improved sound. Added a Bluesound node 2i as well only listening to Pandora though. I have no reference to options as I’ve only owned Hereseys and never heard a tube amp in a home and am very curious if a tube pre-amp would be a big plus? If I tried one could muster up to 5k. Just looking for the best sound quality I can afford.
Room is 14.6 x 14.10 x sloped ceiling 8-13’ with 5’ flat section at 13.
128x128bilyeauxbrew
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa5i78-ayon-audio-orion-ii-integrated-tube-amp-tube

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa5hbd-rogue-audio-cronus-magnum-2-integrated-tube

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa5gi8-line-magnetic-211ia-tube

relatively low cost good quality good sounding units to try - if you don't like you won't lose much, if anything, reselling
Ag insider logo xs@2x
scotttubenut
16 posts
 
Have you considered DIY? My current system consists of a Bottlehead BeePre 300B tube preamp with a Bottlehead Kaiju 300B power amp. This SET combo provides 8 watts, which would be fine with your high efficiency Heresy speakers. Bottlehead provides great instructions and tech support, which essentially guarantees a successful build experience. I really enjoy the sound, and with your budget you could also build a Bottlehead Eros 2, a really great upgrade to your phono preamplifier. 

For ready built gear another company I would recommend that you consider is PrimaLuna. For under $5K you could get one of their higher end integrateds or go for separates. The PrimaLuna amps are based on the sweet sounding EL34 tube and would provide more power over the SET setup above, opening more options for speakers should you decide to upgrade those in the future. I owned a PrimaLuna Evo 300 and was quite pleased with it until I got into SET and DIY.


jwlaff
39 posts
 
Quicksilver Audio has an integrated tube amp for $2000.  20 watts per channel.  Looks nice. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 
@jwlaff -- I’ve heard that Quicksilver integrated with Dynaudio 84 db sensitivity speakers; it’s a great value and its 20 watts kicks more butt than one can imagine. Watts aren’t everything, and the quality of the Quicksilver build proves that.

@jjss49 listed great used options worth serious consideration. (Nice to see people posting things they *don’t* own as options for the OP.)
bigwave1's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
bigwave1
237 posts
 
Like Raven, don’t overlook Decware that offers excellent sound and value, plenty of posts on their site. They sell direct. 
More to discover