Highly regarded tube amps.....

[treitz3]

There are many, many tube amps that have been on the market since audio began. Of those amps that you have heard, what would be the most highly regarded?

My favorites so far have been the 8 watt Radii, the 40 watt Anthem1 and the new 180 watt amps that Mr. Carver has been selling lately. I have heard the Carver Silver7's, 6's and the 9's which from what I have read are fairly well regarded but unfortunately, they were hooked up to a source that was less than stellar. Also up on my list is a Cary and a set of mono VTL tube amps.

The Mars hotel has had the best sounding tube amp that I have heard to date but it escapes me at this moment as to what it is. Outstanding amp right there, folks. ;)

What say you?

[Face]

The Mars hotel has had the best sounding tube amp that I have heard to date but it escapes me at this moment as to what it is. Outstanding amp right there, folks. ;)
It's a close relative to: http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/7575.html

[treitz3]

Not that one Mike, the other one.

[reeltrouble1]

Tom if your thinking of the big rig, its a MF Kw class integrated, the tubes are in the pre-amp section. That big-rig is no doubt one of the best in the club, dont think F1 has not worked on those SDA's and thought about each piece in the signal path, he also knows the source is very important and keeps things simple.

As far as the bestess tube amps??

BAT, VTL, Manley, Dodd, Wolcott, Atma-shpere (otl), Henry Wolcott is quite ill so no new stuff will come out from that brand until everything settles, BDT has some modded Heath-kits ala Gary Dodd, they can tickle your ear bones with those Quads. Those are a start, I hear good things about the new Carver as you say. I heard some hybrid Anthem at one of SC fests, they were nice, several hybrid companies are trying to get those oh so wonderful liquid mids and then bass slam control by using hybrid design, you can check out Vincent and Moscode.

Your no newb so as usual the right amp is system dependent, about the worse thing that can happen is to get say speakers that have an impendance curve that jumps around with an amp that likes smooth curves, or to have a gross impedance mismatch between amp and pre-amp.

I can tell you I have owned VTL, BAT, Wolcott, Manely tube amps in various recent systems and each was a winner, you can go for some old school stuff or kits but first determine the speaker so you know what you need. Anyway some of my personal favorites of recent time are the BAT-VK-120 with the Carver Amazing Plats, the Manely Stingray with the Polk 1C's, but you heard that, and my present rig with the SL and the Wolcotts. I can say the folks at BAT have a tremendous attitude and service department, Manley is also quite proactive.

Enjoy your search, I know it is half the fun.

RT1--Tubes Rule.

[thuffman03]

Carver Silver 9's. Actually I hade the chance to hear all of the Carver Silver tube amps two weeks ago. It was a sight and sound I will never forget.

Front is the Silver 7's, middle is the Silver 6's and in the back are the Silver 9's. Between the Silver 9's is the Carver Silver 1 tube preamp.

[Zero]

Save up. Buy a Lamm LL2 or an Audio Research Reference 5 and be done with it.

[vc69]

I am lusting after the AR stuff these days. You would be doing yourself a disservice to pass up a listen. I think amps are very subjective as much so and very dependent upon which speakers they are driving. The AR stuff sounds absolutely amazing with conventional speakers, I have heard VTL's I did not like on ML's but did like on cones. It's just very dependent. The only tube amps I have heard though are McIntosh, VTL, and AR. I am lusting after AR. I have heard excellent things about Manley and BAT.

[treitz3]

..... but first determine the speaker so you know what you need.Hey bud! The speakers that I will have within the month are a set of Tyler Acoustic's Linbrooks, the same speaker that Ricardo had a while back in his man cave. That said, that wasn't really the point of posting this thread....me looking for a tube amp for my current system, that is. I don't even know if that speaker will be around when.......well, read below.

What I wanted to find out is if there was a particular group of tube amps or maybe one tube amp that was so highly regarded between those in the know, that it would be on my long list of things to own.

[george daniel]

Don't overlook Quicksilver, american made, PTP wiring,build quality is very good,great support, and if you are looking for detail with no coloration,then Quicksilver just may be the ticket. I have a pair of M-80(sounds like a brand/type of fireworks,,lol) they are tube rectified 80 watt monobloc's which use EL-34 output tubes. I also have a Quickie GLA 40 watt stereo amp on the 1C's, the GLA has HUGE output trannies that were used in the 8417 days.It's able to use EL-34's,6CA7,KT-88,KT-90 and KT-77,IIRC,,. As Ted said,,it's system dependent,, but once you have found the magic,, Ahhhhh,,BTW,, the Quickies are kinda "old school" build which appeals to me,,as do the the VTL's of yesteryear.Also,, Cary puts out some very nice,drop dead goregeous tubers,,as my Compact 100's are downright fugly compared to Jerry's 120S(which can be played in triode @ 60 watts/channel) if one desires.:)
I think the Manley that your are referring to that our distinguished President has,,is the "Spanish" version,that is somewhat of a rarity,uses EL-34 /6CA7output tubes, and it is that amp,which I heard one your OLD 1C's ar CF 08,that got me started on my tube journey. Sorry for the "ratchet jaw",,I just got up to whizz and just felt compelled to post this.Carry on and smoke em' if you got em'.:)

[mhardy6647]

In terms of commercial amplifiers (as opposed to DIYs) the Marantz 8B really stands out for me. Beautifully designed and built, and glorious sounding. I want one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mhardy6647/Marantz8Bbefore.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mhardy6647/Marantz8B.jpg

The classic McIntosh tube amplifiers (MC-30, MC-60, MC-225) were also outstanding... and they still make the MC-275.

There were a bunch of nice EICO amplifiers with excellent iron, and there was also the wonderful QUAD II (which may have been mentioned above).

[george daniel]

Mhardy-- do you know the production date range of the 8B's?

[disneyjoe7]

As far as tube amps / pre amps in sound is point to point, or something on a PCB better. A Cary SLP98L and a SLP05 come to mind.

[treitz3]

I did hear the Cary 120S a couple of weeks back and it stamped a good impression on my ears. Not to mention, damn that's a beautiful amp. Unlike one of the amps I have on my long list already, the Manley 500. I call that one "the ugly amp" but I still want to hear it in my rig.

[mhardy6647]

Mhardy-- do you know the production date range of the 8B's?

Short answer, no: but the original 8 (no suffix) dates to the very early 1960s, and the 8B was in production until at least about 1966 (and possibly later).

[mhardy6647]

As far as tube amps / pre amps in sound is point to point, or something on a PCB better. A Cary SLP98L and a SLP05 come to mind.

Point to point is typically preferred, although there are fine sounding amps with PC boards, too. In principle, it's easier to isolate/protect/coddle the signal-carrying wires in a point to point design relative to a trace on a PCB.

[schwarcw]

In terms of commercial amplifiers (as opposed to DIYs) the Marantz 8B really stands out for me. Beautifully designed and built, and glorious sounding. I want one.



Me Too!

[megasat16]

For Marantz 8B folks,

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-8B-Vintage_W0QQitemZ170390340665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVi ntage_Electronics_R2?hash=item27ac0e4439&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

No Affiliation to the seller! I think the price is also on a high side. Should be under 2K with a clean tube case. But if you want one, here is the chance. I am waiting for a pair of 9B on the cheap.

[Face]

http://audioclassics.com/detail.php3?detail=8B&nav=cat

[mhardy6647]

There's a thread on AA right now that is sort of interesting. Sort of.
If the OP (or anyone else here) is sort of interested in the 8B (or the 7C, for that matter). Sort of.
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/vintage/messages/18/184909.html

FWIW, Audioclassics is supposed to be a good outfit (no personal experience).

[Mos Fete]

I have had a Cayin A-100T for the last 2 plus years, and have nothing but great things to say about it. I use it to push my RTA-11T's and the sound is glorious.

I can and do highly recommend the Cayin line, as I have auditioned pretty much all of them.

I also have a vintage Fisher 400 Receiver, which is also tubed. I use the Fisher to push my Polk 7B's with Peerless tweeters. Again, the sound is nothing short of glorious.

I'm always on the lookout for inexpensive vintage tube equipment (I got the Fisher for $15.00 at an Estate sale). If I find anything more, I will post later on as well.

Cheers.

[mhardy6647]

You should all buy all of the $15 Fisher 400 receivers you find. That is all.

[reeltrouble1]

Tom,

Well if I had 35G just dying to get spent a BAT REX and BAT150SE mono-blocks would be a short list. Personally I the older tube gear is a bit to colored for my taste, I prefer the more neutral sound of modern tube equipment, a bit of a departure for me from my old school mantra.

RT1

[sucks2beme]

If you're looking for modern amps, Prima Luna and ARC are right up there.
I paid $600 for my ARC vt60. Money well spent.

[W WALDECKER]

I noticed a pair of Luxman MB3045 tube monoblocks for sale on Audiogon. These are very rare high end amps that are supposed to sound heavenly.

[markmarc]

I know Zero will agree with me on this one.

A really fine budget integrated tube amp is the Vista Audio i34 at 35wpc. A very refined sound that'll surprise the hell out of listeners.

[treitz3]

Of the one's listed so far.....are any of them a single ended Class A tube amplifier?

Just to update what I have tried in the rig....I have had the Cary 120S in and out, 2 Anthem1 amps and most of you know about the recent purchase of the MF A3cr, which is a SS amp.

[treitz3]

Got one for you folks.....

http://www.joule-electra.com/pr_vzn220.htm

Good? Any other suggestions?

[dorokusai]

I'm a big Joule fan....amazing amplifier. He makes Cary Audio look sound like Fisher Price.

[mhardy6647]

I'm a big Joule fan....amazing amplifier. He makes Cary Audio look sound like Fisher Price.

all I can say in response is: www.electronluv.com

[treitz3]

The only thing that has a red flag with the Joule I linked is this....a direct quote from the link....

"The Rites are designed to function in large scale systems"

What is a large scale system? That one is new to me.

[Face]

http://www.ayonaudio.com/products/amplifier.html

[txcoastal1]

Got one for you folks.....

http://www.joule-electra.com/pr_vzn220.htm

Good? Any other suggestions?

Nice one but a tube roll would be 1500-5000+ on that baby...but if u can afford the amp u can probably afford the roll

[treitz3]

Well, I have heard through the grapevine that OTL amps do not like varying impedance variables. I don't know what the Tyler's have in store with that but should this be a concern?

Do tell....

[treitz3]

all I can say in response is: www.electronluv.comIt sure would be nice if they listed their prices. That's all I've got to say about that. Thanks for the link, regardless. :wink:

[txcoastal1]

^^^ its one of those places and thing "if you ask the price you can't afford it"

[treitz3]

The prices aren't that bad.....relatively speaking. I just wish they would put a price list on what they have to offer with the different models. If they fluctuate? Fine, just add a simple....

**Prices subject to change**

It's really not that hard to do.

[megasat16]

Since Electron Luv seems to offer specially made or custom made amps, I don't think they have a lot of people interested and their prices is based on what you want.

I guess you can contact through email or call for the pricing. It's under Contact Page.

[doctor r]

http://www.vac-amps.com/

[mhardy6647]

Since Electron Luv seems to offer specially made or custom made amps, I don't think they have a lot of people interested and their prices is based on what you want.

I guess you can contact through email or call for the pricing. It's under Contact Page.

Yes, his stuff is custom. One of the local hifi tube gurus has Electronluv amps; they're not stoopit 'spensive given what they are and how they are made. They're worthy of consideration if one wants fine sound and statement esthetics. They are not toys; they're serious hardware.

[txcoastal1]

The prices aren't that bad.....relatively speaking. I just wish they would put a price list on what they have to offer with the different models. If they fluctuate? Fine, just add a simple....

**Prices subject to change**

It's really not that hard to do.

The first set amp in the gallery pic's is noted at 4k looks like that would be there starting point

[cnh]

Yes, his stuff is custom. One of the local hifi tube gurus has Electronluv amps; they're not stoopit 'spensive given what they are and how they are made. They're worthy of consideration if one wants fine sound and statement esthetics. They are not toys; they're serious hardware.

That's interesting and good to know because some of those pictures look like a High End Cappuccino maker? And when something begins to look like that, Big Money can't be far behind!

cnh

[TNRabbit]

How about these, Tom:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180665282517&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[organ]

Good call on the Radii, Treitz. Can't beat it for the price.

For me, it would be the classic Dynaco ST-70 and a very rare gem produced by ASL a long time ago, the MG-MINI 300DT. Killer 300B SET. I prefer it over the much more expensive and still in production Tulip.
My favorites are all custom, but that ASL, after a bit of upgrades, is right up there with my best pieces.

[fishbones]

Organ, I'm keeping my eye on this thread because some day in the future I might look at giving SET a try. What's an "MG-MINI 300DT"? I can't find it?

[janmike]

I have only heard a handful of tube amps, but I do like my ARC VS115.

[organ]

Organ, I'm keeping my eye on this thread because some day in the future I might look at giving SET a try. What's an "MG-MINI 300DT"? I can't find it?

Hi Fishbones,
The SET sound is wonderful. Just make sure you have very sensitive speakers due to SET's low power output. Take a look at designs using directly heated triode tubes like the 2A3 and 300B.
You'll hear many people tell you SET amps can't rock. It's completely false. As long as you have very efficient speakers, SET can rock just as hard as any amp.

I don't think there's anything on the ASL 300DT around the internet. It's very rare and I think only a small amount was sold in North America. It's an integrated SET amp using 300B output tubes and 12AX7 drivers. I will post a pic later tonight or tomorrow. I'm just about to head out to work right now.