2. amps-preamps
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Tube Amp for Martin Logan Speakers

Hi, I love tube sound through my Martin Logan Aerius-i fronts and Cinema-i center. I currently have a Butler 5150 which is a hybrid, but it busted on me and would cost $700 to fix. I've had china stereo tube amps that were pretty good and gave true tube sound, but not enough drive for higher volumes. I live in condo, so not like I can blast music anyways but still. I got the Butler because I wanted 5 channel tube sound for home theatre (The piercing sound from my Denon 3801 receiver was not pleasant to my ears). It appears there are only three multi-channel tube amps around, from Mcintosh, Butler 5150, and Dared DV-6C. The latter two are hybrids, and the last one was one of the worst tube amps i've ever heard. I have no clue why 6Moons gave the Dared a 2010 award, but maybe it's because it produces only 65W.

So since multichannel tube amps are hard to come by, and they tend to be hybrid, I was thinking maybe it would be best to get three true tube monoblocks to power my fronts. Thing is I wonder if they will be underpowered for my speakers, and not sure which ones are decent for the price. Maybe China made ones would suffice, and they still go for pretty expensive price. I'm wondering if anybody knows of a decent powerful tube monoblock that is affordable, because I can't pay $3000 per block. or maybe best to just repair my Butler. Thing is, I'm not confident that it is reliable. The tubes are soldered in which is weird, and i've taken it to a couple repair guys who both said that the design is not good, because it's very tight inside and more susceptible to being fried from DC voltage areas. it's too sensitive.

Any suggestions for tube monoblocks, even if china made ones? the holy grail for me would be Mcintosh tube amp, but they are hard to come by. Thanks.

smurfmand70

Showing 1 response by labtec

labtec
189 posts
 
Funny to read this thread about autoformers.

Probably 6-7 years ago, I added a McIntosh SS amp to my arsenal that uses autoformers. At the time, I was also using Steve McCormack's platinum modded amps too. I compared them and shared my thoughts with Steve about the improvements possible with adding an autoformer as an additional mod for his amps and suggested the Paul Speltz product.

He noticed the same thing and, apparently, even wrote about it. I've been inactive in this hobby for quite some time, so it's fascinating to see this recent discussion of something I was dealing with when I last was “involved" in the hobby.

I echo everything Atmasphere is saying and can vouch first hand...not because I was prejudiced or persuaded by forums or audiophile "authority"...but because I discovered this phenomenon organically...almost by accident.
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