2. amps-preamps
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Old or new gear

Greetings,

I am trying to buy my first tube amplifier. Budget is about $2500-3500. I am not very good at doing electrical work myself and do not intend to restore/repair/update the equipment myself. No time for another hobby. 

Looking to get something very reliable to use for years to come. I tend to keep my equipment for a long time, and do not upgrade things frequently. Trouble free listening is the goal. US made (or Japan or western Europe) would be really nice. Looked at Chinese models, but decided not to go that route, although there are many very good quality brands with great reviews. The top of the line Chinese units are not much cheaper than US made ones, through.

For that money, I am looking for something like quicksilver mid monos or decware MK4, brand new, both made in US, with good reviews as far as build quality and reliability goes.
.
Alternatively, there are amps here on Agon, such as CJ, Cary, VPI 299d, VTL de luxe 300,  VAC rebaissance 30/30 MK3, all used, about 10-15 years old, some in mint conditions with low hours, under or around 3K.

I am looking more for good sound and reliability than a specific amp type (pp vs SE) or output tube design.

Any advice? Again, not looking to resell but this is always a consideration as well (never know what the future holds). Main concern is quality and long term reliability.
Are there better transformers, caps, resistors etc... now than 10-15 years ago? Again, not looking to upgrade anything myself and do not have the time to spend in repair shops.

Thanks for your advice.


sophie999

Showing 11 responses by sophie999

sophie999 OP
29 posts
 
Thanks. Will look at those.

Macs are almost impossible to get at that price. New ones are almost 6K. Not many used ones on forums/stores. Have been looking at those for a while.

Will look at Quad as well. Typically, would prefer the separate components, especially DAC, to keep things simple. Will have to research this one a bit more.
sophie999 OP
29 posts
 

Thanks.

@yogiboy: Thinking of getting Schiit saga and Behringer DAC. Alternatively, may go with SS Emotiva T-100 and call it a day. Not decided yet.

@jperry : Looked at LM, Opera, Cayin. Wanted their 845 with 300B drivers, but those are over 5K, and tuces are expensive although last longer. Feel like if you get a bit over 1K, the price difference between comparable Chinese and US builds is very small. Chinese are clearly more affordable and offer more options under 1K price range. Over that, parts alone are quite pricey. Labor costs become less important proportionally. Would prefer US made amp for extra few hundred. Also prefer PTP over PCB for ease of any future repairs/upgrades.

sophie999 OP
29 posts
 
I should have stated this at the beginning. I have Polks LSI 15 towers, 88dB. I do not listen loud at all, mostly pop and classical.
Medium sized bedroom is where it goes. Imagine would need at least 20wpc to get anywhere. New 300B+805/845 amps have 30-40wpc in SET mode. But as I mentioned, everything in this category is expensive for me.
sophie999 OP
29 posts
 

@czarivey  Thanks. I can use the multimeter, so biasing should be OK. I just prefer not to replace/upgrade parts requiring soldering.

Been leaning QS way. Just wanted to see if any of the old used amp here may be worthwhile for a fraction of their original price.

sophie999 OP
29 posts
 
Thanks. What are some other alternatives for preamp (SS or tube), under 1K, that would match fairly well with many different types of tube amps, if there is such a thing?
sophie999 OP
29 posts
 
Thanks. 
I think I will go with QS mid monos based on my research and multiple comments here. Will schiit saga pre match with it? That's a $650 price difference from QS pre. Seems to have output impedance 180 ohm vs 100 for QS. Also no output gain for saga. Is QS really worth extra $650? 
sophie999 OP
29 posts
 
I looked at them carefully. There is an authorized dealer close to me. The one that I wanted runs around 3K, similar to Decware or QS with preamp. Not to bring any politics to the thread, but for the same price would prefer locally made. Great way to support small local businesses. PL does have excellent user reviews though. And the build quality seems excellent as well. Still an option if others do not work out for some reason.

Also, like the idea of separates. More hassle, but can always swap one component at a time, or try other variations, as I have another system. And if something breaks, no need to replace everything at once.
sophie999 OP
29 posts
 
Have been looking at it for a while. Others recommended this as well. Prices have been generally well over 3K used, but still loking...
sophie999 OP
29 posts
 

Would like to thank everyone for their advice/thoughts.

I think I am strongly leaning QS mid mono. Main reason: New, great prices, good feedback. I know I could get better for the same $$ with old used gear, but time is the key. Really do not want to have to upgrade/repair. I guess do not want to take a chance now. Maybe later if/when I have more time... But now, trouble free is the key. 10-15 y/o tech as great as it is... always a chance. Same true for new stuff, but feel this is less of a gamble.

Also prefer PTP wired stuff, as it will be easier to repair/upgrade if need be. I know this is not ideal, but a trade-off I am willing to accept. In addition, I have not received any negative feedback on QS gear.

They do seem to be 100% hand made in California. Meets my needs/wants.

Do not like their integrated for "stupid" cosmetic reason: exposed wires on the pictures. Also, prefer separates for easier upgrades/repairs/swapping.

Next question: preamp. Easiest to buy QS, 1k. But what about other options? Other cheaper pres that would work? For pre, I would consider something made elsewhere as long as quality is good.

Will Schiit saga work? Slightly higher output impedance (180 vs 100oms) and no gain at all. But $350 new. Also good reviews. Good company history of buiding quality stuff.

What about SS? Emotiva t100, with built-in DAC, $300 new? Is SS bad for  tube amps?

Are there any DAC that would work well with QS amp directly?

Are there more or less "universal" neutral pres that would work with many different tube amps?

I am OK paying 1k for QS pre, but is that the best value for the money?

Thanks again

sophie999 OP
29 posts
 
Thank you.

Still leaning towards the QS mid monos. PL was my choice before, but the model I wanted is slightly over 3K. For that, I can get US made gear of likely at least similar quality.

Rogue is also nice, but decided to go with PTP over PCB.

Still would like to hear some opinions about preamps. Several affordable once I am looking at are SS (many brands would be under 1k, most new would have DAC in them as well), Schiit Freya, or even assembled Elekit pre. Any thoughts? Or there is really nothing good under 1K newto go with QS?

Thanks
sophie999 OP
29 posts
 

@oddiofyl That's what I am leaning towards. Much cheaper than Decware, which I also really liked, PTP wired, and US made, as opposed to PL, which is also great from what I read.

Which preamp are you using with them, if anything?

Also, PL says they have protective circuit to avoid damage when tubes fail as well as tube decline indicator. Does QS have protective circuit? I know it has LED biasing indicator. Does this work as a early tube failure indicator?

Thanks

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