Valve amplifiers

[DSJR]

If solid-state is so awful, then almost all the sources (including LP's) would be unlistenable because record companies and mastering engineers all but abandoned valves decades ago. In addition, any "texture" would have been removed at the first recording session!!!

Big US amps are hardly a reference point I'm afraid, certainly the popular ones which found their way to the UK. Many a Krell, ARC and even later Levinson has been deeply shamed by the likes of Naim, Quad (if the load was easy) and AVI in my opinion, let alone Copland at its best.

Valve-like ss amps - Anyone tried the Audio Analogue stuff? The now old Bellini/Donizetti pre-power sounded lovely, although the output stage could pop very easily if abused..

[Barry]

If solid-state is so awful, then almost all the sources (including LP's) would be unlistenable because record companies and mastering engineers all but abandoned valves decades ago. In addition, any "texture" would have been removed at the first recording session!!!

Big US amps are hardly a reference point I'm afraid, certainly the popular ones which found their way to the UK. Many a Krell, ARC and even later Levinson has been deeply shamed by the likes of Naim, Quad (if the load was easy) and AVI in my opinion, let alone Copland at its best.

Valve-like ss amps - Anyone tried the Audio Analogue stuff? The now old Bellini/Donizetti pre-power sounded lovely, although the output stage could pop very easily if abused..

Once again another sensible, calm, reply to put the discussion back on balance.

Cheers Dave

Regards

PS How's 'you know what' coming along?

[SPS]

.

Valve-like ss amps - Anyone tried the Audio Analogue stuff? The now old Bellini/Donizetti pre-power sounded lovely, although the output stage could pop very easily if abused..

... i had those when they came out... very nice compared to much of the SS stuff... but nothing like a good valve amp

at the time it was a restored pye mozart saw them off easily... and my valve amps have got much better since then..

cheers

steve.

[goraman]

you just won't get till you spend some time with valves.
I have owned some very good solid state stuff and SS can be quite good,I'm told the new Luxman class A is a solid state masterpeice but valves sound ritch and pleasent.

[soultrader]

I remember a guy on these forums selling his own tube amps around £300. Anyone know who it was?

[vouk]

If solid-state is so awful, then almost all the sources (including LP's) would be unlistenable because record companies and mastering engineers all but abandoned valves decades ago. In addition, any "texture" would have been removed at the first recording session!!!

Big US amps are hardly a reference point I'm afraid, certainly the popular ones which found their way to the UK. Many a Krell, ARC and even later Levinson has been deeply shamed by the likes of Naim, Quad (if the load was easy) and AVI in my opinion, let alone Copland at its best.

Valve-like ss amps - Anyone tried the Audio Analogue stuff? The now old Bellini/Donizetti pre-power sounded lovely, although the output stage could pop very easily if abused..

You should have a listen to the new Bellini - Donizetti combo. It builds upon the strengths of the previous model, added more power and grip, and the build quality is second to none at the price. Soundwise, they remind me a lot of my old Graaf pre/power combo. Lovely stuff indeed.

[nightyy]

Hello,

Thanks for the comments on tube amplifiers, I am also currently looking into the subject because of the claimed musicality of tubes. I am currently beeing offered a amp from Icon Audio, a brand that is known here obviously, but not so much on the internet, and one from Eastern Electric.

Where is the difference between the tube amp price range of 500€ and 1500€? Is it worth the investment? Do the WPC matter at all if driving a speaker with 102db sensivity?

Those are the two options at the moment:

Icon Audio MB 90 MK II 2x monoblocks, 1500€
http://www.iconaudio.com/portfolio-item/mb-90-mk-ii/

Eastern Electric Minimax Integrated Amp, 500€
http://eeaudio.com/eeaudio_008c.htm

Or is it common sense to start with something low budget (200€) to get a sense of tube sound?

Thanks for your help

PS: I just had a set of PrimaLuna Prologue Seven monoblocks offered for 1500€ (used, 3 months old), so now there are three options

[Welder]

This a reasonably entertaining read on the subject.

http://www.lenardaudio.com/education/12_amps_8.html

What I would say is the good valve amps I've heard have tended to be rather expensive which to put in perspective is above three thousand pounds.
On the other hand, I've heard some stonking SS for around a third of that.
You has a listen and takes your pick according to your means.

[Ali Tait]

If your speakers are 102db, IMHO you need to be looking at low power SET amps, say a 45, 2a3 or 801a. Push Pull amps will have way too much power for speakers of that sensitivity, you will get very little useable volume range.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I remember a guy on these forums selling his own tube amps around £300. Anyone know who it was?

Could it have been Greenhome Dave & his EL34 integrated that you were thinking of?