Butler Audio 5-Channel Tube Amp

[Early B.]

Anyone ever get a chance to hear one of these?

http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb5150.php

It was reviewed in the latest edition of Home Theater Magazine. They make a 2-channel version, too.

[audiobliss]

• Rated Power (all channels driven):
5 x 150 Watts RMS per channel @ 8 ohms
5 x 225 Watts RMS per channel @ 4 ohms
• Freq response: 20Hz to 20kHz (+/- 0.5dB)
Power Bandwidth: -3dB, 50kHz
• THD: <0.10% @ 8 Ohms, <0.15% @ 4 Ohms
• S/N Ratio: Better than 110dB (A-Wtd)
• Slew Rate: 15v/µsec
• Input Sensitivity: 1.5V for 150 Watts into 8 Ohms
• Input Impedance: 47k Ohms
• Idling Consumption: Approx. 120 Watts
(Approx. 1A @ 120VAC or 0.5A @ 230VAC)
• AC Consumption (Nominal power):
1200 Watts @ 8 Ohms - 10A (120VAC), 5A (230VAC)
1800 Watts @ 4 Ohms - 15A (120VAC), 8A (230VAC)
• Dimensions: 17"W x 16"D x 8.5"H w/feet (7"H w/o feet)
• Weight: 48 Lbs. (19.2Kgs.)

Wow. Now that's some amazing specs for a piece of tube gear. I think I'd be real interested in hearing opinions on this technology. Is this a relatively new piece? Is it still considered tube or is it a type of hybrid design? 150 watts...into 5 channels...with fr of 20Hz to 20kHz...with less than .10% THD...and a sn ratio of greater than 110.... Wow.

• Load Independent; Will drive any speaker

Interesting.

[audiobliss]

Professional celebrity users include Pink Floyd, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Eric Clapton, Elton John, Eric Johnson and hundreds more.

Wow. That's quite a list of customers.

Why use Vacuum Tubes in a computerized world? Ask any Music Industry professional. Tubes SOUND BETTER!

See, cfrizz? Tubes sound better! Now go get some! :p


I think these amplifiers would be ideal for seeing what tubes would do for the LSi series. Would be interesting to find out. Are there other high-end tube amps out there offering 250watts into an 8ohm load? If so, I haven't seen 'em.

[audiobliss]

Hand selected/matched 6SL7GT Twin Triode tubes
(One per channel)

Anybody heard of that type of tube before? I personally haven't, but then I've only heard of about 3 or 4 different types, so...:p

[BlueMDPicker]

I believe it's a 5691 variant.

[amulford]

It's a hybrid. It's using a nifty design, though. I wouldn't waste it on HT. SACD, maybe.

[cfrizz]

The first I've seen of this, & yes quite a star list of customers.

However, I reserve judgement until someone from here gets one & reports back!

BTW, how much does it cost & how much does it weigh?

The only thing from stopping me from getting a 5 channel amp right now, is that they are just too heavy for me to manange!

I really admire Darla (Wingnut) for managing all of her heavy equipment by herself!

Wow. That's quite a list of customers.



See, cfrizz? Tubes sound better! Now go get some! :p


I think these amplifiers would be ideal for seeing what tubes would do for the LSi series. Would be interesting to find out. Are there other high-end tube amps out there offering 250watts into an 8ohm load? If so, I haven't seen 'em.

[Early B.]

Cost is $3,295 and it weighs 48 lbs, so it's fairly lightweight. You can handle it, Cathy. There's a brand new one on audiogon for $2,000:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ult&1142791175

Somebody pleeeaaase buy it and report back.

[HBombToo]

I was pretty amazed when I read about it in HT Mag this month... Looks like a real nice piece and I'll bet it sounds great.

HBomb