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Post by redog on Sept 25, 2014 13:22:14 GMT -5
Looking for a budget tube amp, no hybrids, for my tekton m-lores
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Post by audiobill on Sept 25, 2014 14:12:48 GMT -5
Best of luck........
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Post by pedrocols on Sept 25, 2014 15:55:26 GMT -5
I don't think budget and tube can be in the same sentence especially if you are talking about $300 or less. The tubes alone in my preamp will run you over $300. Never mind a the whole amp.
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Post by pedrocols on Sept 25, 2014 15:56:31 GMT -5
But then again you might be able to find some used stuff cheap...
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Post by brubacca on Sept 26, 2014 12:57:00 GMT -5
A few years ago there was a cheap tube manufacturer called MiniWatt. They had inexpensive tube amps that people thought were really good. The next part is a bit hazy, but it seems that they were just a marketing arm. The manufacturer decided to cut them out and they are sold on Amazon.com as APPJ. The mini-watt n3 is sold as the APPJ PA901A. Supposedly if you buy one and upgrade to decent el84 tubes they sound much better than they should. But hey seem to under some kind of clearance at $209 each. That leaves you almost $100 for a pair of decent amp tubes and decent driver tube.
Also another brand on Amazon called GemTune. They have a el34 based amp at this price.
Good luck.
I have been tempted by the APPJ for awhile.
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Post by cheapthryl on Sept 26, 2014 18:15:54 GMT -5
I think I remember the MiniWatt at $99 a few years ago. A little bit more money and a Dynaco 70 off ebay might be had.
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panterapunch
Sensei
"Its Better to BurnOut than to Fade Away"
Posts: 101
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Post by panterapunch on Sept 26, 2014 18:27:13 GMT -5
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DYohn
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 18,348
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Post by DYohn on Sept 26, 2014 18:40:47 GMT -5
Even on FleaBay you'll be hard pressed to find a tube amp worth hooking a speaker to for $300...
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 26, 2014 18:57:37 GMT -5
Even on FleaBay you'll be hard pressed to find a tube amp worth hooking a speaker to for $300... Very true, think I sold my (50 year old) Dyna Mark III's for $650-700 a couple years ago on Craigslist. The M-Lores are good speakers, if you don't up the anti a bit you should probably stick with solid state. |
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Post by brubacca on Sept 26, 2014 19:04:30 GMT -5
Here is a review from someone whom actually heard a N3. www.tonepublications.com/review/miniwatts-latest-the-n3/ I would strongly urge you to save up more money. I listened to a prima luna integrated that was great. The rogue sphinx hybrid is really nice also. For your stated budget the appj may not be junk. As others have said save up a couple more bucks if you can. The Decware Super Zen looks amazing for $900, but that is $600 more than your budget. Jolida FX10 @ $600 should be a good intro to tubes. Good luck. |
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Post by redog on Sept 26, 2014 19:10:15 GMT -5
There's a used jolida fx10 for 400.00 locally.
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Post by brubacca on Sept 26, 2014 19:38:14 GMT -5
Unfortunately as others have said tubes are expensive. The fx10 is probably a good step. At that price you may not lose anything or much if you decide to flip it.
Are the tubes shot or in good working order?
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Post by thevinoman on Sept 26, 2014 20:57:03 GMT -5
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Post by Nodscene on Sept 26, 2014 22:48:36 GMT -5
I think you might have some luck with Yaqin products. Not sure if they have a power amp in your price range but there are a few integrated and can easily be found on ebay. With the efficiency of the M-Lores (I have a pair as well) and brightness/forwardness (at least to me) I think tubes would make a great match. www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/yaqin-tube-amplifier-c-14 |
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Post by audiobill on Sept 27, 2014 6:19:26 GMT -5
If you want a good tube experience, save your $$ or stay solid state until you can afford to.
There are huge differences in SQ among tube amps, and those cost$$$$$$.
Transformers, tubes, good capacitors, etc are not cheap.
A Yaqin is not Cary, Audio Research, Balance Audio Technology or even Rogue.
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Post by mauriceminor on Sept 27, 2014 8:32:56 GMT -5
The 12G tube amp kit is $210
Add $83 for the case
Class A, 8 watts channel @ 8 ohms, push pull
Other designs are available, the 12G is well regarded
www.s5electronics.com
An easy build, I am well pleased with the performance
Currently driving a pair of Seas FU10RB full range drivers in Linkwitz Lab Watson speakers |
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