2. amps-preamps
  3. 1226469897

tube amp for Apogee Tweeter mid-range

I recently upgraded the capacitors in the crossover of my Apogee Stage speakers. This was a good and bad thing at the same time. While it opened up the upper frequencies and let the subtle details shine through, it also exposed that "solid state" sound in my amplifiers. I'm using a Pass Labs x-150 to drive the Apogee bass panel and an old modified Sim Audio W3 amp to drive the tweeter midrange ribbon. While the Pass Labs may be a better amp, it was a horrible match when I had it driving the tweeter midrange ribbon. The sound was like turning the treble up to +11 on an old Radio Shack receiver!
Does anyone know of a musical Tube amp under 2K used, that would produce detailed and smooth (not dull) music to drive my Apogee Tweeter midrange ribbon. I'm currently using a Naim 202 preamp, Raysonic 128 CD player, Linn Sondeck with Koetsu Rosewood and Ayre phone pre-amp.
scott_kindt

Showing 2 responses by sogood51

sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I use all tubes with my Apogees....Amps, preamp, and DAC. I have Duetta Signatures, and MiniGrands...and I switch between them every few months.

I had been using Solid State (Krell) for a number of years, but switched to Rogue Audio tube mono's around three years ago...and I would never go back, unless I was forced to.

Biamping the Stage, Duetta Signatures, or any other two-way Apogee speaker is a waste of time and money, in my past experience....YMMV of course.

Around 100-200 good tube watts are all you need (my amps are 120 watt monos, and real toe tappers!). These amps drive both pair of Apogees as loud, and with enough control, to fill all my needs.

If you listen at above 90db very often (I don't)....150/200 watts may be in order for you.

Tube amps come in all flavor of coloration...or very little at all? In my search....I wanted Krell like bass, a better midrange (tube coloration?)....and very articulate highs....I chose the Rogue amps (Kt-88 tubes), and have been very happy.

My DAC is Monarchy M-24....NOS Amperex
My preamp is Audioprism Mantissa...NOS Amperex

Good luck in the hunt!

Dave
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Scott

Biamping...or at least passive biamping, didn't do anything for me. I came to the conclusion, that one single better quality amp, sounds better than two lessor quality amps. The ribbon doesn't really need gobs of power...and it shares midrange duty with the bass panel....all the two-ways do.

With the panel and ribbon, both reproducing some part of the midrange, using "unlike" amps is very hit and miss (worse case is trying to blend SS with tubes)...although I note, that it does work...and sound fine to you in your system....hit and miss (I guess you hit).

Biamping the larger three-way models works out a little better, because you have a dedicated midrange ribbon, and it crosses over to the bass panel at a much lower freq.

Maybe your dealer will let you take a pair of Rogue 150's home for a few days (have him put KT-88's in it, and use the 4 ohm speaker taps)....and a good tube preamp?

Ed brings up a good point about burn in, I'd give that some time also.

Dave
More to discover