2. amps-preamps
  3. 195737-202215

Help with first tube amp

I’m looking for some guidance on purchasing my first tube amp.

My current setup: Speakers: Sonus Faber Sonetto 1 G2 bookshelf speakers.  (I plan to add a subwoofer soon)

Amp/Source: Cambridge Audio EVO 150 (all-in-one integrated with built-in streamer & DAC)

The EVO 150 made sense originally because I didn’t have room for multiple components, but after some renovations I now have space and flexibility to build out a proper system.

Since this would be my first tube amp, I was hoping to keep costs reasonable and have been considering: •Muzishare X7 (KT88) •Cayin A-88T (KT88) •A used Muzishare R100 (300B) available locally •A used Brunoco Terra 6L6 PP available locally

My questions:

1.    ⁠Will I actually hear a meaningful difference between my EVO 150 and these lower-cost tube amps?
2.    ⁠Are my Sonus Faber Sonetto 1 G2s at 87 db sensitivity a good match for these lower-power tube amps ?
3.    ⁠Anything I should keep in mind as a first-time tube amp buyer who listens mostly to vinyl and streaming?
4.    ⁠What If I used the EVO 150 as a pre amp with the tube amp as power source only?  Would that still give me that tube sound ?

Thanks in advance — really appreciate any advice from folks with experience!

licarijo
larsman's avatar
larsman
2,595 posts
 

@licarijo - one store in the NYC area that sells tube amps? That don't sound right. I just did a search on hi-fi stores in the NYC Area and came up with quite a few of them just on Yelp, most of whom sell tube gear. But these are high-end stores that sell high-end brands, and often tube gear from those brands can be a bit pricey, but even those brands often have a variety of levels and prices.  

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,342 posts
 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/very-very-interesting-nyc-venue-and-meeting-place

paradisecom
422 posts
 

For that budget, you can get into some good used tube amps.  Offerings from Conrad Johnson, Cary Audio, (AES from Cary Audio from years ago), Quicksilver Audio, Rogue, and you can start getting into some Audio Research stuff at the top of your budget.

The Decware gear is great, I've owned one of his pieces, myself.  If you decide to buy new, be prepared for a 3 year wait.  You could go used, but you would probably want to go with one of his larger 20+watt units.  Those are over your budget at this time, though.  But they can be something to aspire to for the future.

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tablejockey
4,108 posts
 

" you can get by with approx. 160-180 tube watts"

Now that's a ridiculous  statement.

Lots of overthinking makes it look like an engineering feat going on.

Look for a 20-40 watt used/new, MIC /whatever amp in your price range, read reviews , come back here with new thread about your choice to get more ridiculous suggestions, overthinking and reinventing the wheel advice.

It's not necessary to get that anal about  the technical side of audiophoolery for what you want to experience.

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