2. amps-preamps
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Tube amp/ preamp advice

Hi everyone, I have bene listening to a Technics 1200 SL with a MM Nagaoka 110 cart for a number of years now. Primarily, I listen to rock, hip hop, electronic and jazz.

I am a purist at heart, and have always longed for the analog qualities of a tube amp and preamp. Looking to drive a set of la scalas with a woofer in tow. The space I will be moving my setup to is a loft above a 2800 square foot garage, so the la scalas seem like a good choice to really push some decibels.

Currently I am playing my technics through a pioneer receiver (cringe), however I am looking to go to a purely tube setup - I love the way my tube guitar amp sounds - its lively and warm qualities.

I'm here to ask for recommendations on a tube amp/ preamp config. I have been researching this for weeks and the amount of information/ selections are daunting. I keep jumping back and forth between integrated amps like the Linear Tube Audio, or MA352 but I really don't think an integrated is a future proof solution. I'm concerned that I will want more flexibility and be trapped with the integrated amps components.

Thank you for any suggestions

John 

mulboost

Showing 1 response by glennewdick

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,737 posts
 

Anything from 2wpc and up will fit the bill, but if you’re going to crank it up to fill a larger room maybe 20wpc and up. Really any tube amp will work. If you want a warmer side stick with traditional old-style tubes like 2A3,300b, EL34, EL84. Also consider tube rectified with a choke.

 You’re probably going to want to look for a push pull EL34 about 35wpc I bet that would more then fit the bill in a larger room.  I ran my set off 2A3 SET 2.5wpc in a medium sized room with no issues but I’m not a loud listener (75-85db).

 

Something else to consider is total gain especially in your preamp. you’re going to want a preamp with lower gain to give you some volume range other then the first two clicks on a volume knob. I struggled with this for a while. Also, noise levels are always going to be in issue with 105db speakers so a quite low noise design is a must. I’d stay away from amps like the Wilsenton R8 etc. with the newer KT tubes they are not what I would call a warmer tube sound, more modern and neutral if not a bit harsher.

Triode labs and Finale Audio is my recommendation for tube amps for LaScala’s.

 

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