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 zd542

zd542
5,339 posts
 
Is this what you have?

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/620588688/Jasmine_Serenade_EL34_intergrated_tube_amplifier_Multi.jpg_350x350.jpg

That's a headphone amp. On a regular pair of speakers, that amp would be straining to drive your speakers, and as a result, could sound like what you're describing. Also, since your speakers are custom, they're completely unknown.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I don't think we can get reliable info on the speakers because they are custom made according to the OP. Another option would be to try a different pair of speakers that have some known characteristics. If you live near a Best Buy, maybe pick up a pair of those Pioneer bookshelf speakers to try. They're not much over $100. I have a pair myself, on one of my computers and they're pretty easy to drive. If you don't want to keep them, they can be returned. But having a speaker like the Pioneer availability to you, would go a long way into getting to the root of the problem because so many people on AG have them. We know what they typically sound like.
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