Hi all, new member here~

[JoeE SP9]

i was wondering, since i am getting a tube pre amp, i was suggested using vaccume tubes for the power amp as well. what effects and differences will i get when i am using a solid state power amp+ tube preamp.

and also, what do you guys use for power conditioning and voltage regulators.
thanks!

I use a hybrid preamp and both tube and SS amps. Tube amps drive my main speakers. SS is for my subs. I would suggest getting a working system together before thinking about bi-amping. Tube power amps of equivilent power as SS are much more expensive. A tube pre with SS power can work very well. The earlier the tubes are in the system the more benefit you will get from "tube" sound.

[RGA]

Welcome my fellow Canadian to the world of forum advice - Eesh - you'll find it endless varied and for everyone who will recommend one speaker or amp someone else will recommend something completely different.

I would suggest you completely ignore every name that will be thrown at you for the time being. Your uncle is a high end dealer then if you trust your uncle go and listen to what he sells.

McIntosh is a solid choice but don't get too caught up with the looks over the sound. I know several people who swear by MAC amps and won't have anything else - I know just as many if not more that despise the sound. If you want sex appeal there is plenty of it out there.

I would make some observations - first you like the sound of tubes over SS - so do I. Don't count out all SS though or even digital designs which have improved immensely.

Still tubes have a certain magic. You need to consider with speakers is if it can do the job with what you want and how loud you want to play. Magnepan with death metal is a very bad move IMO. The speakers simply don't play loud enough or with any sort of real impact in bass region where drums live.

The trick then is finding a good Horn or HE speaker that can hit hard but at the same time be delicate enough to handle your softer musical preferences without become shouty or overbearing. You have to decide what speaker you like at the outset because that will determine what amp/source will be a good fit.

I will make one suggestion because they're a Canadian Company quite new to the audiophile scene but offer a tremendous amount of front end choices with regards to tube amplifiers. Because they are rebranding the top Chinese brands under their own nameplate the price performance ratio tends to be very high indeed. The company is Grant Fidelity - http://grantfidelity.com/site/catalog

Why suggest them - because as much as $14k may seem a lot - it can be spent up real fast. And generally I found GF gear to hit way above its weight class. Take the Rita 880 at $4200 this is a speaker that will drive practically everything - clocks in at a massive 100+ pounds (shipped in a crate not a box) and looks great, built as well as a top Krell and more to the point has the sonic chops to negotiate any music very well and is of course tubed. I'm not suggesting this amp over the rest of the amps out there - but what I am saying is that with $14k you want to buy the best loudspeaker you can possibly afford while getting top flight sound from your sources. Something like the Rita with a good source or two leaves tons left over for quality loudspeakers.

I can also say their Shengya Monoblocks are built about as well as amplifiers can be built and they sound very darn good. I don't like most stuff out of Canada - so I am happy to say that finally I really really do.

[poppachubby]

I don't like most stuff out of Canada - so I am happy to say that finally I really really do.

But as you already mentioned, it's really from China. These guys are Canadian in name and location only. Check Ebay and you will find about half of what Grant sells, with a Chinese badge, at half the price. I am Canadian and pride is the last thing I feel about Grant.

I was quite excited about their tube DAC-09, screaming their praises until the Rev. harley made this whopping discovery. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

However, it IS great stuff and a good price. You couldn't be more correct about that.

Anyhow happy hunting OP!! 14 G's is a great budget and I must admit I am completely jealous. These days I have about $14.00 to spend on gear. I hope you find the sound you're looking for bro. Lot's of good help on AR.

[Chamai]

Welcome my fellow Canadian to the world of forum advice - Eesh - you'll find it endless varied and for everyone who will recommend one speaker or amp someone else will recommend something completely different.

I would suggest you completely ignore every name that will be thrown at you for the time being. Your uncle is a high end dealer then if you trust your uncle go and listen to what he sells.

McIntosh is a solid choice but don't get too caught up with the looks over the sound. I know several people who swear by MAC amps and won't have anything else - I know just as many if not more that despise the sound. If you want sex appeal there is plenty of it out there.

I would make some observations - first you like the sound of tubes over SS - so do I. Don't count out all SS though or even digital designs which have improved immensely.

Still tubes have a certain magic. You need to consider with speakers is if it can do the job with what you want and how loud you want to play. Magnepan with death metal is a very bad move IMO. The speakers simply don't play loud enough or with any sort of real impact in bass region where drums live.

The trick then is finding a good Horn or HE speaker that can hit hard but at the same time be delicate enough to handle your softer musical preferences without become shouty or overbearing. You have to decide what speaker you like at the outset because that will determine what amp/source will be a good fit.

I will make one suggestion because they're a Canadian Company quite new to the audiophile scene but offer a tremendous amount of front end choices with regards to tube amplifiers. Because they are rebranding the top Chinese brands under their own nameplate the price performance ratio tends to be very high indeed. The company is Grant Fidelity - http://grantfidelity.com/site/catalog

Why suggest them - because as much as $14k may seem a lot - it can be spent up real fast. And generally I found GF gear to hit way above its weight class. Take the Rita 880 at $4200 this is a speaker that will drive practically everything - clocks in at a massive 100+ pounds (shipped in a crate not a box) and looks great, built as well as a top Krell and more to the point has the sonic chops to negotiate any music very well and is of course tubed. I'm not suggesting this amp over the rest of the amps out there - but what I am saying is that with $14k you want to buy the best loudspeaker you can possibly afford while getting top flight sound from your sources. Something like the Rita with a good source or two leaves tons left over for quality loudspeakers.

I can also say their Shengya Monoblocks are built about as well as amplifiers can be built and they sound very darn good. I don't like most stuff out of Canada - so I am happy to say that finally I really really do.

thanks for the input~

as for the brands. honestly, i don't know much brands. i plan on going to the store next week. i will try out as much things as i could. narrow down a few setups that i like, and i will report back to you guys heh.