Mimberman,
Thanks for letting me know about Creek and Forests. Do you mind looking at the other combos I have posted earlier?
Also, can you let me know about the system syenergy between Forests and MF gear ? I am currently thinking of auditioning atleast the following 2 set-ups:
1. BAT VK-3iX Preamp and MF A5 Power Amp
2. Primaluna Prologue three Preamp and MF A5 power amp.
3. I see folks keep referring to MF Tri-Vista Inegrated. Is this available new t buy (or) I need to look for it only in the used market ?
Thanks
Grakesh
Grakesh |
All,
Thanks a lot for all the feedback you provided. I appreciate your input.
Eldorado....You are right. I should have provided mroe details that will allow folks over here to guide me better.
My Budget is $3500 for both Pre-Amp and Amp together (or) for the Integrated Amp it is $3000. I like listening to Vocals, Instruments, Pop, Classical and light rock. I am not an audiophile and i am new to audiphile terms. I am thinking most of my listening interests and particularly Vocals come under mid-range. I also heard that Tubes make the mid-range really bloom and sound sweet. That is why I was asking for Tube recommendations too. |
Also, I have a few questions that I am looking for some guidance with.
1. Can I buy a Tube Stereo Inegrated Amp like Jolida 302B (or) Primaluna Prologue 2 and use it to drive Totem Hawks / Forests for my current 2 channel needs and then add a power amp like Musical Fidelity A5 CR 6 months down the lane and use the Jolida / Primalune as a Pre-Amp. In simple terms, in the future, can I take the output from Jolida Integrated and pass it through MF A5 power amp and the output from MF Amp to Speakers ? If this is not possible, then I need to buy a pure Pre-Amp and Power Amp together to start with.
2. The so called Tube sound and mid range bloom...is that contributed by the Pre-Amp Tubes or tubes in the power amp section ?
3. In the case of Jolida, folks recommend 302b over 502b if one's preference is sweet sounding mid-range. I read folks saying EL34 tubes contribute to that. In that case EL34 tubes are part of pre-amp section (or) power amp section of Jolida ?
4. I like sweet sounding mid-range and some good tight bass too. So I thought I can have a sweet sounding mid-range bloom tube based Pre-Amp and a good SS power amp like MF A5 to give the bass slam. That is why I was thinking of pairing up Tube Pre-Amp with a SS Power Amp thinking it gives best of both worlds. I am not sure whether this is a correct theory or not. May be you can educate me.
Can you please let me know ?
Thanks
Grakesh |
I am open for pre-owned Power Amps, but would like to buy the pre-amp new.
Grakesh |
Eldorado,
You reminded me one more factor I missed. My 2 channel room is 14 x 16 x 8. Hoping this helps in the recommendations.
Thanks
Grakesh |
Hi,
Can anyone answer my questions ( 3 questions ) about Tubes I posted earlier ? I am re-postingt he same questiosn again.
1. Can I buy a Tube Stereo Inegrated Amp like Jolida 302B (or) Primaluna Prologue 2 and use it to drive Totem Hawks / Forests for my current 2 channel needs and then add a power amp like Musical Fidelity A5 CR 6 months down the lane and use the Jolida / Primalune as a Pre-Amp. In simple terms, in the future, can I take the output from Jolida Integrated and pass it through MF A5 power amp and the output from MF Amp to Speakers ? If this is not possible, then I need to buy a pure Pre-Amp and Power Amp together to start with.
2. The so called Tube sound and mid range bloom...is that contributed by the Pre-Amp Tubes or tubes in the power amp section ?
3. In the case of Jolida, folks recommend 302b over 502b if one's preference is sweet sounding mid-range. I read folks saying EL34 tubes contribute to that. In that case EL34 tubes are part of pre-amp section (or) power amp section of Jolida ?
4. I like sweet sounding mid-range and some good tight bass too. So I thought I can have a sweet sounding mid-range bloom tube based Pre-Amp and a good SS power amp like MF A5 to give the bass slam. That is why I was thinking of pairing up Tube Pre-Amp with a SS Power Amp thinking it gives best of both worlds. I am not sure whether this is a correct theory or not. May be you can educate me.
Can you please let me know ?
Thanks
Grakesh |
Sufentanil,
Why cant we use Jolida 302b as a pre-amp ? I dont know the reason and I am eager to find out the technical reason behind it. Please bear with my lack of knowledge here.
Thanks
Grakesh |
Michael,
I agree with you. What you said is correct about Tube Pre-Amp and SS amps combination for Totems (or) any speakers. The system synergy is what really matters. That is the reason why I was asking for any proven combination of Tube Pre-Amps and Solid State Amps for driving Totem Hawks / Forests.
Thanks
Grakesh |
Can anyone add their views to this discussion ?
Grakesh |
Mimberman,
Thanks for giving your feedback. Janus is definitely not in my price range. My budget is 3500 - 4000...can go Integrated or separates way based on system synergy and value for the dollar. I am considering these combinations as of now and will need to audition them in the near future.
1. New Primaluna Prologue 3 preamp with Musical Fidelity A5 CR power-amp (New/Used).
2. New BAT VK-3iX preamp with USED Musical Fidelity A5 CR Power Amp
3. New BAT VK-3iX Preamp with USED BAT VK-250 / VK-350 power amp.
4. New Plinius 9200 Integrated
5. New Musical Fidelity A5 Integrated.
6. New BAT VK-300x Integrated.
7. Sim Audio I-3 / I-5 is another good choice. But I am not considring it highly because it is low on power amp portion and I want to use ths same set-up for powering my HT fronts as well.
Can you guys throw some light on these system synergies with Totem Hawks / Forests ?
Thanks
Grakesh |
Also,
Option 8 is Unison Research Unico which got amazing reviews and has good references for system synergy with Totem Hawks / Forests. But again just like sim audio , the power may be on the lower end for it to work as a power amp for my HT needs
Grakesh |
BTW...Is there any Tube Pre-Amp from Unison Research that falls into 1000 - 2000 dollar segment ? I know olny Unison Research Unico which is a Hybrid Stereo Integrated Amplifier.
Grakesh |
Any feedback please ?
Grakesh |
Marakanetz
Thanks for letting me know about Unison Unico. I have seen a few flks recommending this integrated because of its system synergy with Totems. I have a question for you
1. If I go with Creek 5350SE for now, does it mean I can plan to use 5350SE as a pre-amp and hook it upto a 2 channel power amp like Musical Fidelity A5 ?
Grakesh |
Mimberman,
Thanks for patiently answering all my options. So you recommned Pinius 9200 integrated. Good. I am finding few other options. If you dont mind, can you help me with your opinion on the quality of these components and their synergy with Hawks/Forests and whether the deal is a good one or not (I am planing to use this set-up to power my HT fronts as well)
1. Pathos Logos USED for $3600. Hybrid Integrated with SS Power Amp at 110 Watts into 8 Ohms, 220 Watts into 4 Ohms
2. BAT VK-3i USED for $1500. Will need to decide a good power AMP that I can get for $2000 - $2500 (New/Used)
3. New Audio Research SP 16 (No Phono) for $1800. Will need to decide a good power AMP that I can get for $2000 - $2500 (New/Used).
Also, I have auditioned Audio Research, Pathos Logos and A5 Integrated. I totally agree with you that MF A5 integrated did not impress me too much. I just want to listen to your opinion and check it against my obervations for Pathos Logos and Audio Research.
Thanks
Grakesh |
Matt,
Thanks for patiently answering all my question. I appreciate it.
Grakesh |
Marakanetz,
Thanks for the guidance you provided. I agree with you. May Be I really need to cross check with what Plinius 9200 can do with Forests / Hawks.
Mimberman (Matt), Marakanetz & All: How does Plinius 9200 compare against Pathos Logos in-terms of system synergy with Forests ? Just wanted to let you know that my interest is in Sweet Sounding Mid-Range with good watts for HT. For instance I really liked the tube sound.
Also, I saw BAT VK-3i tube pre-amp for $1500 and BAT VT-500 SS Power-Amp for $2500 which will be slightly above my budget. How does this compare with Plinius 9200 for Forests ?
Thanks
Grakesh |
