2. analog
  3. 140304-108536

Digital Flac files with a Tube Amplifier

This is the audio system that I am currently using.


All of my large CD collection has been ripped into Flac files. 


Mini Mac computer as audio file server

M-Audio Super II dac

Luxman LX-33 30wpc tube amplifier with NOS Telefunken and RCA tubes.

Speakers ADS L1290


I’m certainly aware that this system is not what is called high end and make no such claim. But to my ears it sounds just beautiful better than any SS amplifier that I have used through the years, including a McIntoch MC-7150 power amplifier.


 I grew up in NYC and have attended many live concerts at Carnegie Hall, Philharmonic Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, I can’t recall hearing any music that approaches the bright and articulate sounds of SS amplifiers in a concert hall, tube sound comes much closer to the live experience for my ears. Needless to say, I prefer the sound of tubes while listening to my favorite classical, jazz and 60’s and 70’s rock.


Does anyone have a similar system and are you satisfies with the results. I would like to know what others in the audio mid-priced range are listening to.


This is a silly question but what am I listening to  anyway? Digital, Analog, Digilog or Anatal?



128x128terry1229
11 responses Add your response
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,197 posts
 
Forget about all the things marketers  label "audiophile" or "high end" or not.   
 
If it sounds good, it sounds good.   You are to be commended for designing a system that does all on your own.
terry1229's avatar
terry1229 OP
10 posts
 
tomic601,

Wow, another ADS man with lots of tubes! I very much like your system too!
terry1229's avatar
terry1229 OP
10 posts
 
Spencer, thank you for your advise.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
i bet that is a lovely sounding system. I loved ADS quality, engineering and sound. Easy to drive and articulate. Your amp is a good match given reasonable expectations. I have a few pairs of ADS that I use as loaners, sometimes they don’t come back..ha
Isolating and cleaning up the Mac mini is goood advice. But enjoy the music!!!!

BTW my reference system is digital source w tube output DAC into more tubes into even more tubes with SS output devices...but I dont get hung up about that...
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
@terry1229,

It seems like you are directly associating as your tube amp with your digital source. If you want to associate your tube amp with it's most important mate, that's your speakers. Pairing amps and speakers that are a good match for each other is a vital part of the equation. Speaker sensitivity(aka efficiency) and impedance curves will make some amps great matches or not. If you change out one, do plenty of research that it will fit with the other.
With your mac & dac, the software that it uses and your choices of cabling and related accessories can make a huge difference too. Electrical & computer noise are the enemies and many products and approaches try to win that war in a variety of ways. Read up here, but more importantly at computeraudiophile to get up to speed on that topic. 
Enjoy the ride. Cheers,
Spencer
reubent
6,982 posts
 
Once again, I failed to miss the point........ Carry on.......

Oh, and I want to change my answer to digilog. :~)
terry1229's avatar
terry1229 OP
10 posts
 
Ultimately, the output of all audio systems is Analog. 

Yes, I'm well aware of this, just as any other audiophile would be. I was trying to make some ill-advised humor about it. As you know it didn't go over well..

I am in complete agreement with your other remarks. Thanks,


reubent
6,982 posts
 
@terry1229 - My comment was really just meant to provoke some thought about what one is trying to accomplish with an audio system. It's about the music. Everything else is secondary. If you enjoy the music and can listen to it for hours without fatigue, you're 99% there. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Ultimately, the output of all audio systems is Analog. But you can have digital and/or analog sources. To me, it doesn't matter what type of source one has as long as one enjoys the music.  
terry1229's avatar
terry1229 OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for enlightening me, I though I was listening to a Chinese football game! Do have anything to say about your audio equipment?
reubent
6,982 posts
 
You are listening to MUSIC.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

I use WAV. You're listening to ANALOG; digital is noise. When the digital inside you're computer comes out, and goes through a Digital to Analog converter, it becomes "Analog".

Technically that was correct, but this forum doesn't recognize that as "Analog", but your ears, and hearing are the best determinants.

Pure analog is 100% without any digital what so ever, but since some records were digitally mastered, even the purists have a toe in the digital world.

The bottom line is; if it sounds good to you, it is good.


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