Aric Audio builds great Tube gear and can customize builds, all tube gear. LTA (Linear Tube Audio makes outstanding Tube Gear. Both make Integrated Units, those would be my go to’s. If you want simplicity, really easy maintenance Primaluna via Upscale Audio is worth a look, I owned the Evo 400 integrated, rock solid but I would say leans more toward a Solid State ish sound profile than Aric or LTA.
Moving to Tube Separates or Tube Integrated + Phono
BACKGROUND:
Hi, I have a modest SS system. Vintage Pioneer SX850 Receiver, Fluance RT82, TEAC A2300 SD, Vienna Acoustics Bach Speakers and a B&W Powered Subwoofer.
I am cobbling together a second system for a garage attic that is turning into a listening room, and I would like this system to be tube driven. I have been gifted a pair of Klipsch Cornwall I's, and have a Denon DP51 TT, and may move the sub out there as well.
I have been shopping the used market for the past 6 months and have gotten close to buying a few times, but I realize I really don't know what I'm doing! I lean towards an Integrated Tube or Hybrid Amp, ideally with a phono stage. Products that catch my eye and within my budget include used integrated's from Rouge Audio, Prima Luna, Vincent, Cayin, Audio Research and perhaps a vintage tube integrated like a Fisher.
QUESTION:
If the integrated amp does not have a phono stage and I need to buy a separate phono pre, how much of the tube goodness from the integrated comes through when playing vinyl? Or is the sound of the vinyl strictly determined by the phono pre? Or both? And should I buy a tube phono pre? The extended version of this question would be, when buying separates, how much of the tone is shaped by amp vs. preamp vs. phono preamp?
And yes I did search through the archives, but I'm still confused!
Thanks much!
- ...
- 14 posts total
| Post removed |
Hey all,
this discussion is really helpful. I am in the situation where I am about to upgrade my speakers but also really looking to have less gear and an integrated is intriguing. I currently have SF Electa Amitor ii’s and either going to get some used sf serifino g2’s or the Franco Serblin Accordo essences. Not apples to apples speakers but they both sound amazing to me. I have also had an arc 160s and 6se that have been great. Both lovely pieces of tube gear but just too physically big. I have debated the tube pre and ss power setup but I just prefer to stay with tubes. I also got an Ayon audio cd/dac that can act as a pre if I want to. It sounds good with decent function. given the gear I have, do you think I would be happy with an integrated? Or maybe just get a tube amp and run the Ayon as my pre? Of course with separates, you can always change later, but an integrated would help me lose a box and potentially get something smaller overall. Running the Ayon as a pre would of course give me 1 less box and open up lots of amp options. I personally have really enjoyed being specific with my phono preamp and would not consider running with the phono pre in an integrated unless it was fantastic. thanks. |
@mbarmash as you are new here a word of advice..You should probably start your own thread as opposed to inadvertently hijacking this one... |
- 14 posts total