Tube amp suggestions for SDA-SRS...Anybody?

[MB,SC Polkie]

I am in the market for a new amp to drive my SDA-SRS speakers. I have never owned a tube amp, and am considering getting my feet wet. The SDA-SRS are rated at 1,000 watts as you know, so it will obviously need a larger tube amp maybe between 200, and 300 watts correct? I am also on a bit of a budget, so I am considering the Chinese tube amps.

I also should mention that I have no problem if need be rewiring it a bit. I understand that some of them can make darn good tube amps with a few parts changed out, and a few things bypassed etc. Let me know your opinions on this, even if you think I should stick with Solid State. Considering the Adcom 5802 as well for a SS. Thanks

[kawizx9r]

I personally run a Moscode 300 for my SDA 1C's and it plays with beautifully. Wanted to add though that I've also heard it running 1.2tl's, and a Moscode 600 ran the 1.2's even better. Very natural, clear and LOUD...although it was also connected to a tube pre. If you can find one, I'd say you're in for a treat without breaking the bank!

[heiney9]

BAT, Manley, Cary come to mind. Those aren't cheap for higher power units. Really be careful with some of the Chinese stuff as much of that stuff uses very odd tube circuits and tube designations which limits your future ability to roll tubes or find suitable replacement tubes.

Another option is to go with a SS power amp and get a really nice tube pre that responds to tube rolling, as that's where the fun is.

H9

[george daniel]

+1 on H9's suggestion. Tubes and Hendrix,,, wow

[MB,SC Polkie]

BAT, Manley, Cary come to mind. Those aren't cheap for higher power units. Really be careful with some of the Chinese stuff as much of that stuff uses very odd tube circuits and tube designations which limits your future ability to roll tubes or find suitable replacement tubes.

Another option is to go with a SS power amp and get a really nice tube pre that responds to tube rolling, as that's where the fun is.

H9

Thanks Heiney9. I have heard this same suggestion from another serious tube guy, but never had the chance to hear exactly why....time thing. Anyway, this sounds great to me. Not too sure what rolling tubes means, but I have heard that comment a few times. Sorry, still reading and asking questions. Any tube preamps that you feel are worthy under a grand?

[Midnite Mick]

This is a ridiculous price for these amps. If you like el34's these will suit you very nice....Marvda1 has a pair as well so you could get his thoughts as well.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1252894874&/Consonance-Cyber-800-Tube-Mono

Good luck,
Mike

[george daniel]

Unless they are commom ground,he is gonna' have to use the AI-1 non common ground interface.

[ND13]

The Anthem One @ 40wpc was more than enough to drive my SRS2s to very loud, clean levels in a $500 sq. ft. room. It sounded better than the 75wpc McAlister horizontal tube amp I had for a while. The SDAa are much more efficient than people realize. Now if going solid state, the more watts and current you can get, the better.

[F1nut]

I'll add a few more in no particular order. VTL, Wolcott, Audio Research, McIntosh, Conrad-Johnson, Jolida and Sonic Frontiers.

You don't need 200-300wpc tube amps, 100wpc will be plenty.

[heiney9]

To answer the OP's question about "tube rolling" simply means buying all the different brands (GE, RCA, Mullard, Siemens, etc) and variants (ie; 12AT7 = 6210, 6211, ECC81, E180CC, etc) and swapping them in and out to find a tube(s) that you like. They all sound slightly to largely different and the fun is the hunt for a great bargain and experimenting.

Here's a great site with lots and lots of info and here's an example of the info on the tubes my pre uses (12AT7).

http://www.audiotubes.com/12at7.htm

You need to get your lean on because IF you are looking to get a tube power amp there are different kind of output (power) tubes and they all sound/react slightly different. Other things to look for in a power amp is auto biasing of the tubes; if no auto biasing then you would need to bias the tubes occasionally yourself, check to see how easy the procedure is.

Also research the terms, Ultralinear, push/pull and class A as they relate to tube amps those are the 3 basic output configs.

I'm still just a toob noob myself so if anything above is incorrect someone will correct me.

GL

H9

[MB,SC Polkie]

Thanks everyone for all the good advice. This will give me some direction in which to read. Tube stuff is just a whole new world to me. I am going to read more about a tube pre, and a ss amp config. as this really has my interest. I still have a long way to go before I settle on anything. I probably should start a new thread on good tube pre amps under $500.:rolleyes:

[george daniel]

If you are serious and ready to buy,,I know where a vintage VTL 50(stereo) watt tube amp can be had for your budget,,LMK.

[marvda1]

for $1300 i would be all over the consonance cyber 800. i paid double that for mine and that's still a steal for the level of performance that they bring. just make sure there is someone close that can work on them in case a power tube goes as it tends to take out resistors also, but this is a simple fix. if you have to take out a 401k loan do it ( done a couple of those myself).

[187CAM]

I'm partial to Conrad Johnson.

[madmax]

I ran mine with some Manley 200W monoblocks for awhile. That was the best they ever sounded. A pair like I had just ended on audiogon which were going for $1400. That is insanely low (5K new) but they didn't sell. I looked but they are no longer listed. I bet they show up again.
madmax

[MB,SC Polkie]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to shead some light on this. After reading a bit more, I think I may go with a tube preamp first to see how I like it.

[madmax]

The amp is where the rubber really hits the road. :)
madmax