Kirk930: Yes replace your tubes -but when??? Audio Research says "replace you VT-100 power tubes every 2000 hours"... When the heck is that? You've got to have deep pockets (currently $800+ for full replacement) or nerves of steel to deal with tubes. From what I hear, a tube can just "blow out" and take your circuits with it!! This does not increase my music listening enjoyment!! An ARC dealer recently told me "if your tube still lights up and/or is not cloudy or obviously making bad sounds, it doesn't need replacing... Tubes take time to break in"!!! What a fiend! Yes, this audio business is not for the faint of heart...
Tube Curious
Hello fellow forum members. I've owned a Simaudio Moon I-5 for a liitle over a year and just two weeks ago also acquired an Electrocompaniet ECI-3. My small system also consists of a Theta Pearl transport, Bel Canto DAC 1.1, ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures and an NHT SW3P sub.
I've been having a great time comparing these two integrateds, each has its own strengths and in certain ways are strangely similar. Both produce very similar soundstages which are wide and fairly deep. Surprisingly, the ECI-3 is almost as dynamic as the I-5. The differences are in the extremes. The I-5 is more extended on top and recreates top hats and cymbals with more realism. The ECI-3 has much more controlled and powerful bass. In certain vocal and instrumental extremes the I-5 can sound glassy, whereas the ECI-3 will handle the same passage much more smoothly. The ECI-3 tames bright recordings. The I-5 brings life to dull ones.
I'm having such a tough time picking one over the other that I thought up a kooky idea. What if I were to keep the I-5 which I believe is more transparent and has a more appealing design to me, and buy a tube amp. Something I could hookup to the I-5 when I have the urge. I've never owned a tube amp and have always been wary of the added complexity of tube rolling and replacing tubes when they go out.
Given my associated equipment and my strange mood swings would any of the following candidates make good choices as a nice alternate? Sonic Frontiers Power 1 or 2. BAT VK-60. Rogue 88. Or even some low powered SETs. From the specs I've checked it doesn't seem like I'll run into any impedance matching problems using the I-5 as a preamp with these amps. These days I tend to favor jazz instrumentals and female vocals, but occasionally have the urge to boogie a little. My room is only 12' x 14', and both integrateds play quite loud in it.
Forgive me for what may be a basic or oddball question, but I wanted to tap the knowleadge of the forum before making any rash purchases. Thanks!
I've been having a great time comparing these two integrateds, each has its own strengths and in certain ways are strangely similar. Both produce very similar soundstages which are wide and fairly deep. Surprisingly, the ECI-3 is almost as dynamic as the I-5. The differences are in the extremes. The I-5 is more extended on top and recreates top hats and cymbals with more realism. The ECI-3 has much more controlled and powerful bass. In certain vocal and instrumental extremes the I-5 can sound glassy, whereas the ECI-3 will handle the same passage much more smoothly. The ECI-3 tames bright recordings. The I-5 brings life to dull ones.
I'm having such a tough time picking one over the other that I thought up a kooky idea. What if I were to keep the I-5 which I believe is more transparent and has a more appealing design to me, and buy a tube amp. Something I could hookup to the I-5 when I have the urge. I've never owned a tube amp and have always been wary of the added complexity of tube rolling and replacing tubes when they go out.
Given my associated equipment and my strange mood swings would any of the following candidates make good choices as a nice alternate? Sonic Frontiers Power 1 or 2. BAT VK-60. Rogue 88. Or even some low powered SETs. From the specs I've checked it doesn't seem like I'll run into any impedance matching problems using the I-5 as a preamp with these amps. These days I tend to favor jazz instrumentals and female vocals, but occasionally have the urge to boogie a little. My room is only 12' x 14', and both integrateds play quite loud in it.
Forgive me for what may be a basic or oddball question, but I wanted to tap the knowleadge of the forum before making any rash purchases. Thanks!