Attn: 300a, Rga

[newbsterv2]

I'd like some tube amplifier recommendations for auditioning. Which amps would you 2 say around $1,000 that are non-fatiguing?

[RGA]

I'd like some tube amplifier recommendations for auditioning. Which amps would you 2 say around $1,000 that are non-fatiguing?

I'll suggest two that are just barely under a thousand and that should be the most widely available in most areas. The Jolida 302B http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/jolida_jd302b.htm

The other is the Antique Sound Labs AQ1003DT and possibly the MG Si 15DT. I preferred the old AQ1003DT to the Jolida 302B. The 1003 has been upgraded since but their price went up as well. Still I like the ASL warranty of 5 years over Jolida's 1. SO an extra $50.00 or so is worth it to me. There is virtually no audible difference in volume going from 30-50 watts. http://www.divertech.com/antiquesl.html#INTEGRATED
Also Check out Passion...much harder to find and they are typically sold as kits. Same design as the Antique Sound Labs.

Reviews: The AQ1003DT is two models old here and has been improved.
http://www.divertech.com/antiquesl.html#INTEGRATED


For further suggestions post a question here http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tubes/bbs.html

Try not to be seduced by the look and "NEAT" factor of tubes because they are out of the ordinary. Sound is still the goal. These are some of the better inexpensive ones but there is certainly no gaurantee that you will like them more than a Solid State amp. The Audio Refinement "Complete" (from YBA) is a terrific amp that I would take depending on the speakers. I would like to hear the upgraded ASL though. The ASL sounds less tube like and more tightly controlled as a SS amp.

My headphone amp is from ASL and exhibits none of the SET characteristics often discussed. Audio Note's SET integrateds for instance have no bass softness. Some are simply better implemented than others. Their Ongaku-On is considered by many to be the best amp in the world with a price tag to follow. Their DAC 5, with a ridiculous price that no one can defend no matter how good it is(well unless you got the money) has the highest rating Stereophile has ever given anything. It's just a review of course but there is consensus by the other rags that have heard it. It is a Tube design of course. http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superio...ionotedac5.htm

Yes it can get silly...but Krell makes an $80k monoblock and that is every bit as ridiculous.

[300A]

I haven't looked at amps around 1k in years, prefering the stratosphere.
Here are three of the best I have heard though.

1) Pass X250, a little dark

2) SAS Audio Labs, 25 wpt amp.

3) VTL 70/70, modded though

Not cheap, but the best I have ever heard, including SETs.

[Mwalsdor_cscc_edu]

While he only received it recently, and has less than 100 hours on it, he then purchased the ASL Tulip 2a3 and found it MUCH more to his liking. Of course, he has spend even less time with it. Still, in his words; "This is what I like, a amp that plays great right out of the box"... "The build quality of the Tulip is much better than the SI-15, and a little bit heavier." The Tulip lists for $1099 and is a true SET. The max output is 3.5wpc, the MGSi15 DT is a pentode run in triode rated at 15wpc. Depending on your choice of speaker this is important. As a reference, I use a 3.5wpc 45 SET with a three way dynamic speaker system rated 93db [gentle impedance curve, 8ohm, simple x-over]. There are many factors that come into play other than wpc and efficiency [room, listener position, music / loudness preference, partnering components] but a mid 80db speaker is not going to work well with 3wpc. Though at present I'm using mini-monitors rated at 86db and with most of my music this combo swings just fine. Just don't ask it to play complex passages or 90+db levels. Of course, being a small two way, it has no bass - nor designed to - regardless the amplification.

I realize this is not a very accurate comparision between the two amps. And while my friend is somewhat new to low-powered tube amps he is very familiar with tubes, and audio in general. I'm not familliar with either of the two products or amps at this price point but I have read many complimentary reviews about the ASL product and the Tulip in particular. Which probably has more to do with it's SET topology than anything else. And to clarify my alligence, I own a 45 SET myself and couldn't be happier. Even with the less than ideal speaker partnership [93db+3.5wpc]. YMMV. Tells us more about the profile of your system and replay preference and if you are considering any upgrades in the near future that may impact your decision of amplification device.

MikE

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthr...5&pagenumber=1

[300A]

First I used to be a SET man, but not anymore, and I heard alot of SET amps.

I have heard some PP and SS amps that sound much better than any SET amp, and don't have the limitations of low power output.

They have better midrange magic as well as better bass and highs and without needing a sub to extend the bass of horns and single drivers, which really don't go very low, although the claims are out there. There are other amps with much much better imaging too.

After years in the SET market, and then listening to some really great amps again, I now realize how deficient SETs really are.

[Mwalsdor_cscc_edu]

I'm curious what equipment - specifically amp + speaker - you speaking when you made the "much better than SET" statement. Any info on specific brands/model/tube compliment/mods[if any], partnering components, room, listener distance, music type and volume levels would also be helpful to put your opinions in context. And what is your opinion on the issue of system compatibity. I.E. All systems have strenghts and weak points and will not perform equally well for all listeners / music types.Thanks.

MikE