2. amps-preamps
  3. 1426336648

Integrated Amp help

Hello, I just purchased my first tube amp, so im not very experienced with tubes yet. The model is a Jasmine Seranade integrated, 11watt x 2, Class A, SE, input impedance 100k ohm. The tubes are 2 EL34 mullards, and the 12ax7. I am using it with custom designed studio monitor 2 way speakers(Focal drivers) with an efficiency of 89-90. I use it with cd's only, with a pioneer elite Dv-59avi cd player.

The sound is definitely more lively and 3 dimensional than my past solid state amp. However, it is very bright and very straining to listen to at decent volume levels. Also, the amp is much louder than expected and can only turn the volume 1/3rd of the way up before too much. Granted its a smaller tube amp so not much bass.
Anyway, what are your suggestions for a warmer sound. Different tubes or different cd player? Is it best to try different power tubes before the preamp tubes? Also, is it possible to have too much gain? Thanks for the help!
ct1974

Showing 2 responses by tls49

tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Zd, that looks like what he has, and according to the company website this unit can drive "traditional speakers", however his speakers may not be tube friendly due to their impedance/phase angle relationship.

Is the impedance switch on the back of the amp set to 4 or 8 ohms? Sometimes 8 ohm speakers with an impedance that drops severely at certain frequencies will sound better on the 4 ohm tap of a tube amp. Have you tried both switch positions? And switch only with unit powered off.

Also, here is something you may try with the Pioneer.

Connect to video, then in the menu for 5.1 adjustments, set front L&R to "large", then center, surround, and sub to "none". Now use front L&R out instead of the 2ch L&R out.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
However, it is very bright and very straining to listen to at decent volume levels.
Also agree with Swampwalker, depending on distance and volume level, amp may be clipping, therefore, not enough power.
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