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Post by LuisM on Nov 13, 2016 19:42:30 GMT -5
Bill,
I'm running the M125's amps primarily in triode mode. They really work well with my Pure Audio Project open baffle speakers.
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Post by leonski on Nov 14, 2016 18:09:14 GMT -5
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Post by ncred02 on Nov 14, 2016 19:13:28 GMT -5
I have a Bob Latino ST-70. Only thing I would sell it for is to get a 120. Which may be where I'm going.
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 15, 2016 6:32:05 GMT -5
I'd make three comments on tube amps...
First - tubes require BREAK-IN. Tubes that can sound way too bright in the midrange when new DO tend to settle in after about 24 to 48 hours of play time.
Second - There seems to be no substitute for size when it comes to transformers. It's been my experience that the bigger the transformers, the better (generally) the sound. Now this particular comment needs to be prefaced with the qualifier "all other things being equal." Driver circuitry can play a big role in the sound of an amp, but I've heard the same driver board in two different amps - the one with the bigger transformers sounded much the better. Was that just coincidence or was it causal? I'm not really sure, so take this comment with the grain of salt it deserves.
Third - Different brands of tubes can and do have different sonic characteristics. My experience is that Genelex Gold Lions sound the most like solid-state with their crisp and accurate sound. If it's romance you want from the tube, then other brands may bring it better. OTOH, I've read elsewhere that the Genelex tubes just take longer (sometimes MUCH longer) to break in - so take this also with a big grain of salt.
And my Bob Latino / Audiobill Tubes4HiFi ST120 amp arrives this Thursday. I'll be writing a review of it & will post in the Boomzilla's Journey thread when the review is live online. I'm also hoping to get & write about an Emotiva BASX TA-100 (that I plan to use mostly as a preamp for the ST120).
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Post by leonski on Nov 15, 2016 14:53:42 GMT -5
Tube Rolling is one of those 'THIRD RAIL' issues which seems to get people All Steamed Up. The world seems to have an ENDLESS supply of NOS tubes while others are in VERY short supply. Some guys like Russian stuff, even capacitors, while
Vintage Tung Sol commands a premium. I'm sure China makes tubes and who knows where ELSE?
My speakers WOULD like tubes, no question about it. Too bad I can't afford what it would take, power-wise, and the additional AIR CONDITIONING required in the summer.
I'm not certain the OPs speakers are good candidates for tubes. The test I read showed very high impedance swings AND some reactance issues. Though not at the same frequencies.
Does ANY manufacturer use a Toroid in the OUTPUT of a tube amp? If not, is there an easy WHY?
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Post by audiobill on Nov 15, 2016 15:19:39 GMT -5
Toroids don't sound as good.
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Post by bluemeanies on Nov 15, 2016 19:42:55 GMT -5
Looking for a fairly modest tube amp or integrated. Ive heard primaluna ( thought it was too tubey) jolida fusion ( no wow factor would like higher power) that leaves the boblatino 120 and the rogue atlas/chronus. Has anyone experience comparing these two. (I have a bias towards the rogue because of good experience with the sphinx but have no easy way to audition the tube amp (atlas) or integrated (chronus) Frisco I have heard the PRIMALUNA...I liked it. It was the first reasonable price tube amplifier that I listened to with the B&W803 diamonds. Before that it was the Rogue Cronus Magnum. Nice tube amp but ultimately I heard the Bob Latino ST70, ST120 and the m125's. I fell in love with the m125's combined with the GRACE m920 pre-amp...but the GRACE is a lot more. Getting back to Bob Latino his amplifiers are well built, industrial strong and manufactured 100% in the USA. For the money, the quality far out ways what you are paying for...simply put you are getting McIntosh quality at have the price. This of course is MO. However I have had someone favorably comparing my Bob Latino m125's with the McIntosh 275 stereo amplifier with an average price of $6000.00. |
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Post by frisco on Nov 15, 2016 21:21:11 GMT -5
I'm not certain the OPs speakers are good candidates for tubes. The test I read showed very high impedance swings AND some reactance issues. Though not at the same frequencies. Leonski, that's disconcerting to hear. Was it the Stereophile test of the phase tech pc60 you read. how do you define high impedance swings? The report I saw gave 3.3 to 6 through the midrange. |
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Post by leonski on Nov 15, 2016 23:47:53 GMT -5
I'm not certain the OPs speakers are good candidates for tubes. The test I read showed very high impedance swings AND some reactance issues. Though not at the same frequencies. Leonski, that's disconcerting to hear. Was it the Stereophile test of the phase tech pc60 you read. how do you define high impedance swings? The report I saw gave 3.3 to 6 through the midrange. Here is link to Stereophile measured data. Yes, 3.3 to 6 in midrange. Huge peak around 100hz (from memory) to over 20 ohms. Large swings in phase data from capacitive to inductive AND back. Sensitivity is lower than the spec, so MORE amp power needed for any give loudness. www.stereophile.com/content/phase-technology-pc60-ca-loudspeaker-measurements#D8P1bix7CuwG2FQ9.97 |
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