2. amps-preamps
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Tubes for Magnepan’s.

I think next up on my acquisition list is a tube amplifier. I'm not looking for the be all end all, cause I don’t think there is a definitive "Best", so am looking for as good as I can get for $3-4k.


Because tubes drive speakers so much more efficiently than solid state I am only looking for 40-50 watts to drive my modded Maggie’s, 1.7i's. (Or what you have when you add a new crossover and planer tweeters to 1.7i's.) Maybe 2.7x? I haven’t settled on that yet. And I have some Zu Dirty Weekend's upgraded to the max coming in in 2 months to replace my KEF's.

Anyway, I haven’t had a tube device since my Halicrafter short wave radio, and reviews are not the same as advice from people that own something. There is a Rouge Audio dealer in my area, last I looked, (opps, they no longer carry them), so I may have to go to another market to hear something, or get a try before you buy from a manufacturer or dealer.

You folks have taught me a lot, and I think asking users is the right thing to do on this change in direction.

Thanks in advance.
william53b

Showing 6 responses by ieales

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
That's my kind of finagling.
I forgot to say Class D for the woofers and tube for the tweets.

I also have 2 subs and roll the bottom octave out of the woofers which is an effective 200+ watts for the woofers which being nominally ≈6.5Ω is a further 20%-ish increase.

Being able to afford 3 amps for a stereo
The amps cost less than some power cords. Really, really good can be had for reasonable expenditure. A 1 : 1  driver to amp ratio trumps passive crossover induced phase, impedance and driver interaction mayhem Six Ways to Sunday!
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
About 35 years ago I drove Tympani IV w a 70w tube amp for the mid tweet and 350wpc SS for the woofer. The system could raise the hair of the back of your neck, it was so scary realistic. Queen, London Phil, Ben Webster all 'lived' in my room. see  ieLogical Audiophilia Redux

Today, I have 150wpc driving the woofers, 125wpc tube [see ieLogical VTA M-125 ] for the mids and 36wpc for the tweets on Eminent Tech LFT-8b.

Use the right kind of power in the right places.
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
Expecting a tube pre / ss combo to emulate a tube power amp is a fools errand. It could sound very nice depending on the power amp.
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
POWER = V x I. I = V / R.

Increase driver resistance and you decrease the power in the driver and thus the sound level.

You could increase the magnet strength which would require a heavier frame, thus blocking some more area and thus the sound level.

It's called engineering and Magnepan has been doing a pretty good job for about 40 years
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
Do it properly.

Use a SS for the woofers and a high quality tube for the Mid/Twt. When someone mentioned a Citation II above, I recalled that’s what I first used w Tympani IV. BUT w 350wpc SS woofer amp.

As a fellow recording engineer said at the time "Man, it sounds TOO good! Nobody else is gonna hear it like that."
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
I hope the big shows return this year so I can attend one.
Be sure to take along the rest of your system.
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