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Tube amp decision - Thoughts

Looking for a synergistic connection. I have, IMO, a very good setup. But I believe I errored in one important aspect. I always wanted a ruler flat response. I believe I achieved that. Great recordings sound great. But the majority of recordings seem to sound a bit thin in our system. Not to others audiophile types but I have to admit now that impact has got to be part of the quotient for greater enjoyment.

I have a pair of rather efficient Tyler Acoustic Decades. They sound very accurate as they're reputed to be and most folks run tube amps with them, perhaps to warm them up a bit.
My system consists of a Pass labs X350.5 which has played stellar through Dynaudio, MBL and AV123 Line Arrays.
An Allnic L3000 preamp really makes this system sing in 3D.
Sources are a VPI Scoutmaster and a modified Oppo BDP83SE backed by a BDP95 in stock form. A lot of attention has been paid to my AC.

It's all well and good but my family and I feel that it lacks impact and warmth with a lot of "modern" CD's or streamed FLAC files. I have Def Techs in our TV room which having built-in subs are pretty fun to listen to if not so transparent and refined. But it did drive home a weakness (perceived)in our 2 channel setup.

Having visited many audio shows, my wife and I always seemed to love the rooms with Prima Luna Dialogue amps playing in them. Of course they are generally partnered with NOLA speakers. That seemes to be an amazingingly synergistic combination. Rogue Audio amps as well seemed to captivate us. But there are a lot of great tube amps out there. Thus the post.

I'm going to build a pair of LS-9 line arrays. I owned the LS6's and sold them some time ago. These are also tube friendly speakers.

So given a $5500 dollar budget new or used, where to go?

Thanks for your responses.
desalvo55

Showing 7 responses by desalvo55

desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
I'm afraid the Lamm is out of our budget. My wife might like that idea, given that she met Vladimer, liked him and his product and they're both Russian.
Tube amp intended for LS9’s but most folks seem to run tubes on the Tyler Decade D1’s as well.
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
I've never owned a tube amp. My preamps have been tube based. Cary SLP-05, Audio research and my current Allnic. We've rolled many a tube on the Cary. I don't wish to "tube roll" the amps other than establishing the primary set that works well with the amp which from what I've read, isn't usually the set that ships with the amp.

I do like amps that can switch between triode and ultralinear. Seems like a good thing with the desparity of recordings.

Selling the Pass is probably a dumb move and not the first dumb move I've made in this hobby. But we do wish to experience tube amps and no doubt we've been drawn to systems employing tube gear.

I am not familiar with Quicksilver.
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
Those are some great suggestions - thanks.

My plan is to build a set of line arrays, the LS9's from Danny Richie. These are also tube friendly speakers.

I like the Decades and have already spoken with Tyler regarding an upgrade to Woodmeres. That's a $4K upgrade and I'm on the other side of the country with no boxes so it's expensive and complicated.

I know it's a problem with synergy. The Decades are great speakers but probably not designed for Rock & Roll. We listen to everything from Radiohead to Sia, Clapton to Indie, Brazilian to classical. We miss what the line arrays gave us in terms of low bass. Plus, I always wanted to build a set of speakers even though it is in kit form and has all the wood CNC cut and all the parts, drivers and crossovers to fully assemble.

So I'll end up with 2 sets of BIG speakers and one will have to go.

Hybrid are interesting. Always wanted to try the Butler amps which are a bit of a hybrid. Or is it hybred?

We love looking deep into the recording but want the impact of the musical event. Female vocals are especially important as we listen to a lot of female artists.

The Prima's would probably be a better choice than the Rogues. I see a number of Cary 120's on the market. Interesting.

The Allnic amps are crazy expensive! I'm lucky to have that pre! It's not going anywhere.

Thanks again for your responses.
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
Lougiants - No direct comparison. In fact, the room with the PrimaLuna's were using NOLA speakers. That's hardly fair. It was a great combination. Thus the discussion. I'm an newbie to tube amps and love the feedback I'm getting.

My Pass just sold and so did my ATI. Got a lot of shipping to do. But now I'm ampless, well, except for my HT Arcam 7 channel. One should have such problems.

No worries, no hurry. 12 week wait for my cartridge to get rebuilt after Jr removed the needle...

The Pass company has customer service that rival Nuforce. Can't get better than those 2 companies. So Pass wouldn't be out of the question.

But I would like to experience tube amplication.
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
Good to know. I was actually thinking about an Audio Note kit. The Interstage Mono Block PSE 300B / SE 300B SET. It's 20wpc. I love building things, that's why I'm excited to build the line arrays which I already know are stellar performers.

I could go sideways and get a higher sensitivity speaker - open baffle wouldn't be out of the question.

But this is an amp forum so why don't I see much feedback on Audio Note gear?
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
I'm actually thinking about building a higher sensitivity speaker. Gr-Research has a speaker called the Super-V which is tube friendly at 97db. It appeared to be very popular at the RMAF. Wish I could have been there.

That would open up possibilities for low watt amps but I'm not sure that's a good thing. Too many choices.

I connect my amps to wall power and digital equipment to a Power Plant Premier. Then I play with my assortment of power cables.
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
I became part of a long list of folks waiting to get thier Decware Torii Mk III. 91 customers ahead of me! That'll give me time to build a set of GR-Research Super V's, open baffle speakers with a 97db senstivity.

I still want to build something from Audio Note. Maybe their phono stage.

Thanks for all your suggestions!
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