Help me Decide next upgrade. Tubes ????

[Ern Dog]

So I have $350 to spend on an upgrade and need help deciding what to spend it on. I love my new RTi10's, however, they are a bit bright for me, so my main objective with this upgrade is to tame the tweeters, so that it sounds warmer. I'm thinking about adding a warm amp or adding some tubes into the mix. Here are some of the options I'm contemplating. What's your vote?

1). HK Citation 16 amp, 150 wpc @8 ohm, fully serviced, ebay. Very Warm Sounding.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HARMAN-KARDON-CITATION-16-AMPLIFIER-NR-FULLY-SERVICED_W0QQitemZ230047870646QQihZ013QQcategoryZ7 1546QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

2). Shengya CD-12, tube cdp, new for $350

3). save up to buy a used tube amp

4). Other ideas?

Don't even think about suggesting I sell the RTi's- I want to keep them for a bit.

[F1nut]

Is this for 2 channel music or 5.1 HT?

[Early B.]

Sorry, but somebody's got to say it -- you shouldn't throw money at the problem. If your speakers are too bright for you, then sell them and try something different.

Besides, a budget of $350 for a tube component isn't going to buy you very much and may not rectify the problem.

[zombie boy 2000]

Agree with F1--

are ya looking to move towards HT or 2-channel. If you're planning on simulateously upgrading both each time, things are going to become very complicated and expensive. Unless, you have funds to burn, you may want to consider keeping your current system for HT and starting from scratch on a two-channel system....

With what you know now, you could quite possibly build a very satisfying and affordable rig.

[GATOR3000]

Ern Dog,

Without doubt go with #3 “save up to buy a used tube amp”. I too didn’t like the bright tweeters in my Rti8’s until I hooked them up with my new tube amp. I almost fell of my sofa when I was listening to it for the first time. If you don’t like the brightness of your 10’s you will love them with tubes………..guaranteed dude!!!

Plus, the tube sound is totally awesome. Just read some of the threads on this forum about tubes. I got my amp two weeks ago and never listened to SS 2 channel since. If you add another $200.00, for $550.00 you can get a very nice second hand tube amp if you look hard enough. There are some nice Jolida amps out there check it out man.

If you like 2 channel music, you’ll definitely love the tube sound. If not, I will buy your amp off of you. How is that?

Gator :) :)

[Ricardo]

I second Zombie's comment; RTi line is great for HT, but if you're looking into 2 channel, you can start on the cheap side and get great results (like a pair of Monitor 7's or 10's that can be had for less than $200).

Gator has hooked his 8's to the tube amp...but I bet that for 2 channel he sticks to the LSi15's.... :)

[RuSsMaN]

Out of the choices, I'd go for the amp based on what you have right now.

[reeltrouble1]

I am still a large supporter of the Dodd ELP as an excellent pre to get you going in tube gear, new its going to be a bit more than 350.00, I would get an HT pass put on it if you are using one rig to do both duties. My tendancy is a general disdain for receivers when it comes to music, just too many circuits and disjointed signal paths for my liking. If you are just doing rock then you can get by with a receiver.

I like tubes in general, a tubed amp, well, from what I hear about the 10's they need alot of power to sing, if that is your case then you should consider the power requirement. If you can get around that there are also a number of integrated tubed components that can be used, generally not a thing for HT though.

I suppose the most important thing is already done as you thought about it before just jumping into something.

RT1

[Ern Dog]

2-channel music is most important to me- probably 80% music & 20% HT. I want to focus right now on resolving this Brightness thing before I upgrade my center and surround speakers.

Several of you mentioned to save and get a tube amp versus an HK SS amp. I've read lots of threads about tubes off this forum and want to head in this direction. As I mentioned, I'm not ready to sell off the RTi10's.

[F1nut]

In that case, #3 out of the above choices.

[GATOR3000]

I've read lots of threads about tubes off this forum and want to head in this direction.

Way to go bro! You are heading the right direction.

Gator :) :)

[marvda1]

the dodd elp is discontinued, don't know if you can get gary to build anymore.

[halo]

Option #2 will cost $450 when you add shipping from China (unless you found a used one).

Option #3 is a good idea but, even with the tube sound, the RTi's are still going to be on the bright side.

I think that a tube CDP or pre is a good idea but you should save up a little more $.

[ND13]

There's been a lot of good feedback, on this forum (among others), about the Musical Fidelity Tube Buffer Stage(x10-v3). It can be put between components (like between cdp and pre or pre and amp) to warm the sound up a bit. Several here have used or still are using one with good results. I have seen them going for less than $400 for used ones on AGon.

Just a thought.

[StinkyDog]

Hey Ernie, you shoulda picked up my SDA 1Cs. Wouldn't have had that brightness problem and would have saved you some money. ;) Glad you are enjoying the RTi10s though!

[Ern Dog]

You really are a Stinky Dog! ;)

[StinkyDog]

You really are a Stinky Dog! ;)

Hey, that's hitting below the belt! :D

[Ern Dog]

StinkyDog,

Your comment felt like a jab, so I jabbed you back. No harm intended.

Were just two dogs barking at each other. :D

Ern Dog

[lyontrade]

For sale : YAQIN KT 88, MC 100 B, brand new

Incredible push-pull KT88 power with OCTAL tube front-end and versatility in a stunning package.
This amp will be the centerpiece of your audio system. It uses the latest dual mono circuity that includes two separate power supplies for the best stereo separation. It has front panel inputs for using your own preamp that bypasses the internal preamp. Four pairs of gold-plated inputs for CD, DVD, Tape and Tuner. Heavy duty speaker terminals to handle large speaker cable and terminals. This amp is a high power music machines with powerful bass, great dynamics and smooth highs.
"YAOIN has been designing and manufacturing a full range of electronic and acoustic products for over 26 years. The product line includes advanced Multichannel Receivers, Integrated Vacuum Tube Amplifiers, Integrated Hybrid Amplifiers (Tube Preamplifiers driving Solid State Amplifiers), High Quality Loudspeaker Systems and a complete line of esoteric cables for signal, speaker and power applications."


Specifications:
110 V - 240V AVAILABLE
110v MAY NEED 1 - 2 WEEKS FOR THIS SPECIAL ORDER
Output : ultra-linear 2x 65W RMS, triode state 2x 45W RMS (8 ohm)
harmonic distortion:<0.5%(1KHz60W)
frequency response:20Hz~100KHz(- 1dB,10w/8 ohm)
SNR:>8dB(A weight)
load impedance:8 ohm~4 ohm
Input impedance:20Kohm
Use pressure: 110 V - 240V
Consumptio:300W
signal inputs level>300mv
amplifying valve:KT88x4 6SN7x4 12AX7x2
INPUT: Integrated 0.3V Power 0.6V
(590mm) x (470mm) x (380mm) 30KG

Packing Includes :

Full Set Tubes,1.5m Power Cord

Payment Methods :
Paypal
Moneybookers
Bank Transfer/Deposit

Delivery : UPS or DHL.

Please email for more informations.
Best regards.

[engtaz]

reported

[lyontrade]

va dormir engtaz ok ?

[engtaz]

What ever

[F1nut]

Screw you........reported again!

[pearsall001]

I wouldn't spend another dime on electronics unless you already have room treatments in place. If not you're fighting a losing battle. Bass traps, absorption panels & diffusion panels are the ticket to a smooth sounding room, not swaping out gear.

[dudeinaroom]

va dormir engtaz ok ?

Is he asking you to go to bed with him?????

[cbl117]

Is he asking you to go to bed with him?????


What does va dormir mean? Is it portuguese?

[engtaz]

Usually, it's like all languages. Slang can mean anything. I really don't care what he thinks.