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Thread: Valve amps - what should I consider next?

  1. #11
    montesquieu Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    My EL34 monoblocks sound superb with every set of Tannoys I've tried. Plenty of grip and lovely midrange. Better than my faithful old Leak Stereo 20.
    I'm currently using an EL34 amp (Radford STA100) with my 91db 12in HPDs, while my KT88 STA100 is restored. It certainly outperforms the Leak Stereo 20 I recently sold (for all its charms - I do like that amp). But I'm firmly of the view that all Tannoys love a bit of valve push pull welly and there's no harm in putting 50 or 60w to the job as opposed to the 35w you typically get from EL34s.

  2. #12
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

    Posts: 4,779
    I'm Shaun.

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    Oh brill, a nice thread on valve amps.

    We are currently using a Prima Luna Prologue preamp and Prima Luna Dialogue Premium power amp with EL34 valves in push pull. I love EL34 valves for their vocal sound but I have tried KT88's and they were hugely different with loads more punch. I would next like to try out KT120's but cost stops me at the moment. Stick with it, valves have the most incredible rendition of midrange and should be used with complementary loudspeakers. All the best in your quest.

  3. #13
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    Why do you type in a small font Shaun? Some of us don't have great eyesight and struggle to read it mate.

  4. #14
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

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    I thought valve amp before I bought the integrated Yamaha yesterday. Probably couldn't afford one at my cheapskate prices !!
    I think I am best not hearing one and then I dont know what I'm missing
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  5. #15
    Join Date: Feb 2009

    Location: Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

    Posts: 723
    I'm Peter.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bourney View Post
    What about a bigger WAD amp? I may know of a 6550 one with kt120s in that Is about to become available as my mate has moved to a Sonneteer Alabaster for marital harmony reasons.
    I've had many MANY valve amps and am currently using a prima Luna prologue 1 and it's a corker . Better than a few of the more expensive amps I've used. You can buy these for 5-600 quid. Peak hifi had the KT88 version on their used section. Worth a look.
    Oooh! Now, this sounds interesting. I heard Nathan's (Nuff) bigger WAD last week and really liked what I heard - although I don't know how much of what I heard was the amp air all of the system. Could you send me more details when this comes available?
    Peter

  6. #16
    Join Date: Feb 2009

    Location: Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

    Posts: 723
    I'm Peter.

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    Thanks all for the replies. This has been really helpful.

    Jerry hit the nail on the head - I think he's right about an auto-bias integrated amp with different valves in it. But, I'm willing to learn about biasing if needed. It's also interesting to hear about what might make the Tannoys sound better. I agree with Geoff that they sound pretty good to my ears already. So, any improvement on that will be good to hear.

    Does anyone have any views on moving from an integrated valve amp to a valve power amp with a pre (either valve or passive)? The basic question is what difference does it make?
    Peter

  7. #17
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by symon View Post
    Does anyone have any views on moving from an integrated valve amp to a valve power amp with a pre (either valve or passive)? The basic question is what difference does it make?
    In theory, it should make no difference, spec for spec. But in practice it may.

  8. #18
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

    Posts: 11,215
    I'm Allen.

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    John Wood KT88 monster available for £999 collected , Its under £1K
    [

  9. #19
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Seaton, Devon, UK

    Posts: 13,240
    I'm Adrian.

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    If you can find good serviced one then I would try and Audio Innovations Series 500 amp, or Series 1000 with a separate pre-amp.

    These are superb amps and were very well built. Sound is natural and neutral.
    Listening is the act of aural discrimination and dissemination of sound, and accepting you get it wrong sometimes.

    Analog Inputs: Pro-Ject Signature 10 TT & arm, Benz Micro LP-S, Michel Cusis MC, Goldring 2500 and Ortofon Rondo Blue cartridges, Hitachi FT5500 mk2 Tuner

    Digital:- Marantz SA-KI Pearl CD player, RaspberryPi/HifiBerry Digi+ Pro, Buffalo NAS Drive

    Amplification:- AudioValve Sunilda phono stage, Krell KSP-7B pre-amp, Krell KSA-80 power amp

    Output: Wilson Benesch Vector speakers, KLH Ultimate One Headphones

    Cables: Tellurium Q Ultra Black II RCA & Chord Epic 2 RCA, various speaker leads, & links


    I think I am nearing audio nirvana, but don’t tell anyone.

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