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Beginner looking for guidance into tube sound.

Hello all, I am looking for some input on the best way to add tubes to my current mess. I currently have what I am sure everyone here would consider barely a step up from my parents zenith HI-FI circa 1977. please keep in mind I am lucky if I can afford to look in the window of an actual audio store. 
I currently have a Peachtree nova 300 and a Marantz CD player and a pair of monitor audio silver 500 speakers. A friend gave me a blue sound node 2i also. I have always wanted a tube powered amp. I see these Chinese amps like the Muzishare X7 and Willsenton R8 that have lots of great reviews. Or maybe a tube DAC. Then I see the Black Ice for ss-x. Each having less tubes respectively. Not sure how much that matters but I would think the more tubes the more tube sound one could expect. I would like to be in the $1000. range but would go to $1500 if I had to. My goal is to find the best most cost effective way to enter the tube world.  
johnfritter
perkadin's avatar
perkadin
281 posts
 
Ha, well done, for a beginner you stepped right up to some very fine gear and well selected NOS tubes!  Enjoy, and welcome to the tube world. Personally I was expecting more of a romantic, warm, mid-range type of sound and was shocked by the level of fine detail and holographic presentation you get from tubes, it wasn't at all what I was expecting. Even friends family members easily noticed the difference.   
mesch
3,412 posts
 
Congrats on your purchase. You got me thinking about talking to Aric about upgrading my Special (precursor to the Transcend). Mine is about 3 1/2 years old. Thinking about the resistor gain approach.
johnfritter OP
62 posts
 
Mesch. 
Obviously if you are considering upgrades you like it. I’d like to hear your 3-1/2 year in opinion!
I will be looking to him in the future when I am ready for an amplifier for sure! 
J.F.
mesch
3,412 posts
 
I purchased my Special from Aric via AG. It was 2 years old at that time. Aric took it to shows and thereafter had it at a dealer ship where it was never sold, thus his sale. I have been in contact with Aric since. Great guy to share thoughts with. Currently considering his Transcend amplifier. 

I was looking for a 6SN7 based pre having point to point wiring. His had what I wanted, and I thought the adjustable output gain would be nice as I have a digital based system. Was thinking with digital output levels I would only need ~10dB gain from a preamp. Thus far I have been proven right. It mated well with my BEL 1001 MK5 and now with my PASS XA25. 
rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
245 posts
 
I had a Decware CSP3.  It was a lot of fun tube rolling the input, output and rectifier tubes.  It has potentiometers on the input and output tubes that further affect the character of the tube sound.  You can make it lean or lush depending on your taste and your system.  It has a lifetime warranty that can be transferred for a fee but the rig needs to be sent back and will be brought up to spec if needed.  Look for a used one on the Decware site.  
I am now on my second used Allnic Pre-amp but still miss the fun of the CSP3.
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