2. amps-preamps
  3. 160876-151272

Desire to try tubes

So I am new to this have no audio contacts, and low budget it seems based on reading forum. I inherited my brothers Heresy I’s (and LP /CD collection) two years ago and started my journey. First bought a Rega P3 and Rega Fono stage running with existing 20 yo Denon 5.1. Then upgraded the Hereseys from Crites with crossovers and new tweeters (46 yo units). Months later after research and savings bought Stellar GCD and Stellar S 300 amp along with Syzygy SLF 870 sub from Underwoodwally. Nice! Next Marantz 6006 CD as transport and Underwood Emerald Physics and Core Power gold power cords and speaker cables. As able Audio Quest entry connects for all. Each move improved sound. Added a Bluesound node 2i as well only listening to Pandora though. I have no reference to options as I’ve only owned Hereseys and never heard a tube amp in a home and am very curious if a tube pre-amp would be a big plus? If I tried one could muster up to 5k. Just looking for the best sound quality I can afford.
Room is 14.6 x 14.10 x sloped ceiling 8-13’ with 5’ flat section at 13.
128x128bilyeauxbrew
rob2rc21
23 posts
 
Try a pair of Quicksilver Mono blocks and a Quicksilver preamp, they are great and super good values. 
sumaato
98 posts
 
bilyeauxbrew, I tried the PS Audio GCD and S300 on extended review.
I have to tell you that replacing the GCD with a tube preamp yielded a really great improvement and synergy with the S300 amplifier (which I rate highly).
In my case, I replaced it with a Van Alstine Transcendence 8 preamp and I have no intention of ever replacing it. It's really superb. With the S300 you'll have remarkable amplification.
magicrobert
16 posts
 
I have a solid state rig and a tube rig. As Tim Paravicini has correctly said, you can achieve anything with either approach. With enough engineering and at a cost that may be a wee bit high for many. To the OP, a warning: tubes are a hole that one can fall far down into. To some, like me, it has been fun. But, to keep expenses down, I have fallen back to one tube rig (and another for the headphones). Tubes can eat your wallet, unless you educate yourself. If that idea intrigues you, jump in. Otherwise, toes only in the kiddie pool. A Decware amp is a decent place to start, although it is an odd beast: input tube, critical; power tubes, not so much at all, rectifier tube, big differences. This is not typical of tube amps. Have fun whatever you decide. And if it isn't fun, stop.

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
+1 russbutton

don sachs linestage is indeed an excellent piece - really shows what good 6sn7 tube implementation can achieve with exquisite attention to parts quality and workmanship - stunningly good sound
tbakin63
69 posts
 
You could find a near-mint McIntosh MC275 in that price range and you could also have some real fun with tube rolling; would match your Klipsch speakers beautifully (and many other relatively high efficiency - I have Mac with NOS tubes with Tannoy Gold Reference speakers = delicious). Kind of old school, but with Heresy/Crites that’s pretty much your zone, IMHO! By the way, if you can find some vintage Frazier speakers (Jack Frazier was a buddy of Paul Klipsch’s back in the day, and brilliant) - paired with tubes your jaw will drop to the floor...
More to discover