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
@marco1 , it is a 70x40 garage with an 800 sq foot loft. your inquiry is a good point, I am primarily looking to fill the loft that with sound.
@soix For sound characteristics, my preference is the warm rich sound of tubes, and would prefer to have a setup that doesn't compromise in bass. Budget is 5-10K. |
I wouldn’t recommend LTA as they have a more neutral sound as tubes go and not really warm if that’s what you’re looking for. Maybe McIntosh, VAC, Zesto, Prima Luna, Shindo, Conrad Johnson, etc. Best of luck. |
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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