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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 19, 2020 4:00:04 GMT -5
For power amplifiers, I want two options in house - solid state and tube. The Emotiva PA-1s are ideal for the solid state side, but I'm wondering what tube amps I should look at.
My 12-watt Heathkits, despite sounding amazing, only work with high-efficiency speakers. I'd like to have about 100 watts from a tube amplifier. And I'd like (ideally) mono-block tube amps rather than a stereo one, but this isn't critical.
I've a friend who is a dealer for Jolida and Quicksilver. Both make 100 watt amps, and the Quicksilvers are mono. But the last Quicksilvers that I've owned (maybe 20 years ago) sounded so neutral that you couldn't tell they were tube amps at all - you might as well have been listening to solid-state! Maybe I should look into some Dynaco MK-III amps and "hot-rod" them myself? Based on the Heathkit amps, I seem to be able to get very good performance out of tube gear if I select the electronic components...
But if I can find a tube amp or pair of tube amps (used is fine) for under about $1,500 with 100 watts of output, I think I should jump. What might you guys recommend?
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Post by audiobill on Apr 19, 2020 5:28:31 GMT -5
Boom, why not the VTA ST120 you reviewed?
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Post by ttocs on Apr 19, 2020 10:31:07 GMT -5
^^^^^^
+1
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DYohn
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 18,380
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Post by DYohn on Apr 19, 2020 10:38:14 GMT -5
The only time I owned an "inexpensive yet powerful tube amplifier" it sounded like ass. May your experience be different.
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Post by leonski on Apr 19, 2020 12:33:13 GMT -5
The only time I owned an "inexpensive yet powerful tube amplifier" it sounded like ass. May your experience be different. An acquantance of mine bought the 300$ or so MiniWatt tube amp. And hated it. Sent it back and went thru no end of hassles to get the 'money back guarantee' enforced. This amp is suited for only the highest sensitivity speakers, being only 5 watts or whatever TOTAL. If I wanted and could make use of a low-powered amp? The DIYAudio Amp Camp Amp in KIT form of about 330$ and quite complete as well as having a highly regarded support network. It's a single ended class 'A' design by Nelson Pass......Look this up and you'll see some theoretical advantages of this topology, over even what it advertised as class 'A' by most others. If I had sensitive speakers? this would be on the short list to audition / build. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 19, 2020 13:21:05 GMT -5
Yeah - but I've already GOT amazing-sounding, low-powered tube power amps (and MONO-BLOCKS, at that!). What I'm looking for is more power for speakers (such as the Magnepan panels) that would probably do well with tube power. But they also need current and watts.
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Post by ttocs on Apr 19, 2020 14:07:04 GMT -5
How about the YAQIN MC-100B from a far away land?
A fellow ML owner bought one in late 2018 and loved it, until he bought a used Jolida JD-1000RC and liked it better.
So, how about a used Jolida?
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 19, 2020 14:12:00 GMT -5
Actually, one of my local audio amigos is a DEALER for both Black Ice Audio (formerly Jolida) and for Quicksilver. He's offered before to get me well below retail on anything I might fancy...
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Post by vcautokid on Apr 19, 2020 15:15:11 GMT -5
Inexpensive and powerful tube amplifier never ad up.
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 19, 2020 15:38:30 GMT -5
Maybe a pair of Dynaco Mk. III
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Post by ttocs on Apr 19, 2020 16:32:39 GMT -5
Maybe a pair of Dynaco Mk. III Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding! |
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Post by leonski on Apr 19, 2020 16:49:59 GMT -5
Yeah - but I've already GOT amazing-sounding, low-powered tube power amps (and MONO-BLOCKS, at that!). What I'm looking for is more power for speakers (such as the Magnepan panels) that would probably do well with tube power. But they also need current and watts. Since you mentioned maggie, that narrows it down a LITTLE. Maybe some of the ARC gear? I think ARC was the original distributor for the 1970s Tympani  audioresearch.com/products/Not 'cheap' and certainly NOT inexpensive, either. Maybe an End-Game amp? |
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Post by 405x5 on Apr 19, 2020 17:02:36 GMT -5
Inexpensive and powerful tube amplifier never ad up. What he said |
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Post by fritz on Apr 19, 2020 17:25:14 GMT -5
I have the VTA ST-120 powering my Magnepan 1.7s and it has plenty of power for me.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,257 
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Post by novisnick on Apr 19, 2020 17:51:49 GMT -5
I have the VTA ST-120 powering my Magnepan 1.7s and it has plenty of power for me. Thats a sweet little amp! |
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Post by ttocs on Apr 19, 2020 18:17:39 GMT -5
"Inexpensive" and "powerful" are both relative terms. I can't find a new 100 watt stereo tube amp for less than a $grand +-. My M-125 mono amps can make 140 watts with KT120 tubes, but I have them switched into Triode Mode for 73 watts (measured) because the sound is better through my speakers, and the SPL still can get higher than I'm willing to measure in a room with over 5000 cubic feet of air. As Huey Lewis said in "Back To The Future": You're just too darn loud.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 19, 2020 21:13:15 GMT -5
I bought a pair of Dyna Mk III’ in 1970 for $99, used them originally for both guitar and hifi amps. Drove everything from the JBL D131’s I still have, to Magnepan and even the Beverage electrostats, some B&W’s too. They always sounded good, though I wouldn’t say the end all in detail. Never tried the mods, but thought about it, did roll some tubes. Finally sold them after 40+ years. Still ‘only’ about 50-60 watts each, so not sure if they’re going to meet your needs, but good amps.
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Post by leonski on Apr 20, 2020 0:34:24 GMT -5
I bought a pair of Dyna Mk III’ in 1970 for $99, used them originally for both guitar and hifi amps. Drove everything from the JBL D131’s I still have, to Magnepan and even the Beverage electrostats, some B&W’s too. They always sounded good, though I wouldn’t say the end all in detail. Never tried the mods, but thought about it, did roll some tubes. Finally sold them after 40+ years. Still ‘only’ about 50-60 watts each, so not sure if they’re going to meet your needs, but good amps. I haven't looked lately, but last time I took a glance? Stereo 70 mods were putting a dent in internet storage capacity. I mean 10s of PAGES of stuff. I'd personally start by replacing the recitifier section with a good SS design. www.tubes4hifi.com/ST70.htmJust one of several still out there. And I've seen recommendations to NOT replace the rectifier with SS. Finding such HV Diodes is problematic and failure is NOT a good idea.......Zap! |
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Post by leonski on Apr 20, 2020 0:44:32 GMT -5
You know, Boom, you may want tubes. Like Tubes. Love the GLOW and warmth. but I'm thinking you might benefit, even just theory or some food for thought, by looking at the Pass DIY site. www.passdiy.com/project/amplifiers/the-zen-amplifierBig article on LOTS of aspects of amp and amp design. Maybe one of the 'zen' amps? You could send off for the circuit board and go for it. I think you'd have most of the advantages of tube with the bragging rights that go with a successful DIY effort. You can SCALE some of these desingns, too. So If you want a 6db increase over your existing stuff, you go from 12 to 50 watts and call it quits. Me? I'd be noodling thru prospective speakers and trying to get a handle on potential sensitivity VS what you are now running...... |
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 20, 2020 4:38:51 GMT -5
Although I could do one, I'm not really looking for a DIY project. Depending on what kind of prices my audio amigo / dealer can offer me, I'm looking hard at:
Jolida JD-1000 P (100 wpc)
Quicksilver Mono 120 (120 watts)
If I've got to go used, I'm looking hard at the Dynaco Mk. III (60 watts) or the BAT VK-60 (60 wpc).
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