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infinity 1b's- should i go tubes for top end???

audio friends,, i have infinity 1b's. a parasound 3500 for the bottom end and a rotel 1090 for the top end. the sound?? i think it sounds great. smooth and clean with great power. everybody says tubes for the top. to do this would mean selling the rotel for maybe $1000 and having to put out another $1000 to get say a 100wpc setup. amps in my range would be something like rogue 150's, audio research vs110's, cary slm100's. lets face it, i would want at least 100 wps for the mid/tweed panels. the BIG question is on just how much of an inprovement in sound is there going to be??. everybody says the rotel 1090 is a great amp, i tend to agree, and it does sound good. i would just hate to spend the time and money without decient results. and the reliable factor. the rotel probable will last for years. tubes?? how much up keep will they be just to get a decient year out of them. can someone convince me either way.
tomtab

Showing 3 responses by rwd

rwd
695 posts
 
Can you borrow a Tube amp from a dealer or friend?
I have a pair of Infinity RS1-B's and have always used tubes on the mids/tweeters. Infinity always recommend this speaker to be driven that way. Holt and Person also suggested tubes as well.
I have tried the ARC VT100ll, ASL Hurricanes and now 2 Mac 275's. Tubes on te top just soften the sometimes bright EMMI's/EMIT's.

Rick
(RWD)
rwd
695 posts
 
Hi Tom...the ARC V100ll was quite good. Clear, clean articulate. I went to a ASL Hurricane for more power and I got it, although I do not listen at a very high level but the ASL gave me a greater stage and easy of sound. The problem I had with the "original" Hurricane was reliability. Therefore I went with the Mac's. It's just more reliable. What I got with the 2 MC 275's (180wpc) was more "flesh and body" on the bones of music. Yes, it is more of a tubey sound but smooth and sweet. I'm happy.
Schipo, however, is correct. There is the argument to keep house sound with amps so perhaps the same amp (or company) for top and bottom.

Anyway...I'm happy with what I have and best of luck.

Rick
RWD
rwd
695 posts
 
Hi Mapman......not a risky situation of mixing tubes with SS amp on these speakers. I have heard 3 RS 1-B systems and they all used SS on bottom and tubes on top. Just need to follow the instructions when connecting the amps to the crossover. Infinity always felt SS amps on there servo controlled woofers were a better match. However, as I said before.....go for it...it you can get a monster tube amp for the bass (say a Hurricane) and one for the top...boy, give it a try!!

Rick
RWD
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