2. amps-preamps
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Upgrading to Tube; Amp or Preamp

I am currently looking to upgrade my existing system a piece at a time. I currently have a set of Vandersteen 2ce Sigs, VPI mkIII w/RB250 Origin Mod w/Dynavector cartidge, Adcom 565 Preamp, Adcom 555 mkII w/Musical Concept mod, and a Rega Planet CD. I have a rather small listening room, 15x18 w/vaulted ceilings and want to migrate to tube gear. I have heard the Rogue 120 amps and 99 preamp on the Vandersteens and thought they sounded marvelous.

I am into analogue mostly classical, jazz, and some rock. My budget is in the $2000 dollar range and since I want to get as big a bang for the big would it be best to replace the Preamp or Amp. The Adcom gear is a little too bright and the soundstage and imaging are not near (imagine that)what I heard with the Rogue combo. I like the Vandersteens alot but have heard that they get a little too laid back with tube gear. My aim is to put about two to three thousand in my system a year until my wife stops me.

Look forward to the suggestions, oh yeah getting rid of my wife is not an option (ha, ha).
rav1952

Showing 1 response by finfinder

finfinder
73 posts
 
I have Vandies with Rogue 120s and a 99 pre and I used to use a ss amp and preamp. What you won't get is the same kind of bass you get with a ss amp. What you will get is a midrange that will make you not care. You will get coherence, timbre and a soundstage depth that your Adcom stuff just can't do.
Palpable floating images and sweetness will suddenly become adjectives with real meaning in your system. Solid state hardness combined with cd brightness drove me to tubes years ago. I have not missed solid state. 'nuff said.
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