Tube amps for your monitors?

[TRA]

I was wondering if any of you use a tube amplifier to power your monitors?

-Why do/don't you?

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by TRA

I was wondering if any of you use a tube amplifier to power your monitors?

-Why do/don't you?

Having a tube amp is kinda like my front lawn. After you mow it and trim it, it only has one perfect day and after that it just goes downhill from there :-)

But I do love tubes for their musicality, and I'm thinking of getting another tube compressor to complement my OCL-2. But my OCL-2 is only about a year or so old and the mu of the tubes is slowly going down, down down.

BK

[dcollins]

Originally Posted by TRA

I was wondering if any of you use a tube amplifier to power your monitors?

-Why do/don't you?

I used Macintosh 240's on the mini's for years, they sounded great. Doug Sax has used tube amps on his mains for a long time. I recommend replacing the power output tubes every year or two, line-level tubes can last decades before needing replacement.


DC

[lucey]

As part of a speaker change I'm now very happily using a tube amp. The nice part, in addition to the sonics, is that you can alter them to taste with little tweaks like brass dampers, film capacitors, etc. I like to fine tune ever couple of years anyway so it's a perfect place for me to do that. Finding and amp that's harmonically nice yet still clean enough is very important and took some doing for me.

I can't agree with BobK that they're always in decline. The power tubes in this amp will easily go a full year of 8 hrs/day. Pre tubes longer. $200 a year is a small price to pay for enjoying my work again. If it was $200/6 months I'd do that as well.

The extra heat is of course an issue, but again, not a deal breaker.

[TRA]

Originally Posted by lucey

As part of a speaker change I'm now very happily using a tube amp. The nice part, in addition to the sonics, is that you can alter them to taste with little tweaks like brass dampers, film capacitors, etc. I like to fine tune ever couple of years anyway so it's a perfect place for me to do that. Finding and amp that's harmonically nice yet still clean enough is very important and took some doing for me.

I can't agree with BobK that they're always in decline. The power tubes in this amp will easily go a full year of 8 hrs/day. Pre tubes longer. $200 a year is a small price to pay for enjoying my work again. If it was $200/6 months I'd do that as well.

The extra heat is of course an issue, but again, not a deal breaker.

Awesome!

What amp are you using? Homebrew? I'm considering rolling my own and seeing how it turns out. I'm still trying to get over the whole wattage misconception that marketing has etched into my brain. How many watts is your amp, and what speakers are you driving?

[TRA]

Originally Posted by bob katz

Having a tube amp is kinda like my front lawn. After you mow it and trim it, it only has one perfect day and after that it just goes downhill from there :-)

But I do love tubes for their musicality, and I'm thinking of getting another tube compressor to complement my OCL-2. But my OCL-2 is only about a year or so old and the mu of the tubes is slowly going down, down down.

BK

That's my only concern....consistency.

Thanks, Bob!

[Thor]

Was running a hybrid valve/ss power amp here for a few years before it was stolen

Copland CSA 515, was an amazing match with the Maggies. The only thing better in my current setup is the bass (much better definition & extension with the new system), but from about 300Hz on up the old amp was really something.

Currently using a bel canto eVo 4, probably to be replaced in the not too distant future by a pair of Hypex monoblocks.

Thor

[lucey]

Originally Posted by TRA

Awesome!

What amp are you using? Homebrew? I'm considering rolling my own and seeing how it turns out. I'm still trying to get over the whole wattage misconception that marketing has etched into my brain. How many watts is your amp, and what speakers are you driving?

I'm using a Cary Rocket 88 in linear mode. Only rated for 30W/side. Speaker sensitivity 91. With the Avocet, it's plenty of power ... too much really, for my modest room size and levels. The Cary has a scaled down pre amp section that needs balanced input, but that means there is less circuit in the way, more definition for hearing clipping.

Gold Lion KT88s are indeed the best. Clear, musical, powerful. I tried all the new Russian/Chinese types. Electro Harmonix second choice. Pre and driver tubes are 50s and 60s NOS with brass dampers from Microshades. Some minor circuit mods, PM for more details.

[WillB]

Audio Research Corp.

[Table Of Tone]

I use a 6BQ5 based tube amp that I designed and built myself.
Nothing too powerful but it works for me.
The output transformers are really special and have a massive frequency response.

I know exactly what it does and I can work with this amp for long periods of time without getting listening fatigue!
It's no good getting half way through an album only to realize that your ears are done for the day!

[lerone]

Originally Posted by lucey

Gold Lion KT88s are indeed the best. Clear, musical, powerful. I tried all the new Russian/Chinese types. Electro Harmonix second choice. Pre and driver tubes are 50s and 60s NOS with brass dampers from Microshades. Some minor circuit mods, PM for more details.

Yeah, the NOS tubes make a WORLD of difference. Watford valves, just outside north London, have an amazing selection and their prices are excellent as is the customer service.




Toby