Adding a tube amp for stereo

[acousticmood]

Hello - I am now feeding a Gen3 Emotiva amp from the XMC-1 and I’m considering getting a tube amp for stereo listening. I could feed the tube amp from the stereo out or the L and R from the 7.1 outputs. Which of these options would:
1) provide best stereo sound
2) would still work when listening to 5.1 sources (movies).

Thanks!

George

[KeithL]

That would depend on how you set things.

And whether you plan to get a tube power amp, or an integrated amp (which has a volume control).

The Stereo Output always has a mixed-down stereo output (like it says).... with no room correction or anything like that.

(Things like the Mix Out and Record Out also don't have a Volume control.)

With the main LF and RF outputs you get room correction and all the other stuff...

And the output level will be affected by the Volume setting on the XMC-1

And, IF YOU SELECT STEREO MODE, then you will get a high quality full stereo signal.

However, IF YOU SELECT A SURROUND MODE, then you will only get the LF and RF info, and the stuff that normally goes to the other channels will be lost.

You should probably use the ZONE 2 OUTPUT.....

That will give you a stereo output, with separate Input selection, and a separate level control.

I'm also curious.....

I assume you just like the sound of tubes.....

Feb 1, 2019 12:14:39 GMT -5 acousticmood said:

Hello - I am now feeding a Gen3 Emotiva amp from the XMC-1 and I’m considering getting a tube amp for stereo listening. I could feed the tube amp from the stereo out or the L and R from the 7.1 outputs. Which of these options would:
1) provide best stereo sound
2) would still work when listening to 5.1 sources (movies).

Thanks!

George

[acousticmood]

Thanks for the reply. I’m talking about a tube amp only no volume control. I am already using Zone two for the backyard bbq so that isn’t available.

With your description I think using the L/R of the 7.1 will be the ticket - I can use the room correction and get good straight stereo When I’m playing a movie the L/R will get the appropriate input for 5.1 - its just that the front L and R speakers will always be driven by the tube amp.

As to why.... I am using an ultra rendu into an OPPO 205 HQPlayer and Roon. I find the sound can be a bit fatiguing at full volume and I like the soft compression and tonality of the tube amps.

Thanks again!

[donh50]

Turning down the volume a little may be a better, cheaper solution...

[klinemj]

Feb 1, 2019 12:14:39 GMT -5 acousticmood said:

Hello - I am now feeding a Gen3 Emotiva amp from the XMC-1 and I’m considering getting a tube amp for stereo listening. I could feed the tube amp from the stereo out or the L and R from the 7.1 outputs. Which of these options would:
1) provide best stereo sound
2) would still work when listening to 5.1 sources (movies).

Thanks!

George

Are you talking using the tube for stereo and something else for 5.1? FYI, I use Class D for multichannel and tube for 2 channel. I use the XLR outs for the Class D and the RCA for tube amp. The outputs of each amp go to a switchbox, then outputs from that go to my FR/FL. I use that to control which amp is playing to my FR/FL.

Works great! (And, if I want I can also listen to Class D in stereo or tub in multichannel...but I rarely do...)

Mark

[acousticmood]

Like all of that - except I’m not sure I see the need for a switchbox. Just keep the FR/FL powered by the tube amp and the other channels with used will be powered by the Gen3.

[brubacca]

I would hate to work against the life of a power tube for tv and movie watching. A 200W / channel tube amp is going to be spendy and costly to retube. You are probably looking at 8 to 16 tubes at $50 each for a Tung Sol KT120.

My KT120 based amp says 3000 hours before retubing (4 tubes , 100W / Channel)

What tube amps are you considering?
Have you considered a tube stereo pre-amp with HT Bypass?
Have you heard about the Rogue Audio Medusa/Hydra hybrid tube/digital amps?
How much power do you need? Prima Luna runs there amps at reduced wattage so the power tubes should last longer than other amps.