I need some help for tube separates

[chargerman426]

I'm looking into up grading from my Jolida JD202 and getting into some tube separates. I have been looking at the Ming Da MC 34-AB7 (link below). But, I have looking at reviews and reading up on it and I not happy that they want you to take it to some one to re-bias the power tubes. That one of the things I injoy about tubes is the tinkering with them. I'm open for any pre but I do want to things. 1. I want it to based on 12AX/T/U/Y/Z7 tubes and 2. It has to have a remote. I'm trying to stay under or around 3K for both the amp and pre Please give me some ideas on what brands to look at or modals to look at.


MC 43-AB7

http://www.pacificvalve.us/MDMC34AB.html

[nooshinjohn]

You may wish to consider Rogue Audio as well. I am also getting me feet wet with tubes and have much to learn. The homework I have done so far makes Rogue look pretty good, and they are 100%made in the USofA

[marvda1]

take a look at quicksilver they have a great reputation.
http://www.quicksilveraudio.com/products/index.html

[george daniel]

If I understand you correctly,,my vote for a pre would be a Belles 21a,,auricapped,, 2 -12au7's,,tube hybird IIRC,,, very dependable piece of gear.

[marvda1]

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....al-Auricap-ver :)

[tcrossma]

Do you guys know if the Belles 21A has HT bypass? Can't seem to find a definitive answer on that...

[marvda1]

yes it does have ht bypass. even with the preamp turned off.

[tcrossma]

yes it does have ht bypass.

Thanks

[chargerman426]

The pre looks interesting. I will do some more research on that. Now what about the amp. I would like mono blocks but they seem to be more expensive so I can deal with a stereo amp. I'm going to be running my LSi 15's so no 300B tubes. :)

[george daniel]

FWIW-- I ran a pair of LSI 15's (upgraded crossovers) with a pair of 80 watt Quicksilver monoblocks and they never seemed to break a sweat,,plus they have never sounded better to me,,and that's comparing them to a pair of Odyssey Monos SE's,,, Quicksilvers were my choice--hands down,, the Belles 21a plays nice with a variety of tube and sand amps,,,, BTW--the Quickies and LSI were connected to my Belles 20a at the time,,, hmmm,, good luck,, you are in for a treat.

Edit-- you can easily afford the pre and power amps and still have money for sonicaps. ;)

[lightman1]

FWIW-- I ran a pair of LSI 15's (upgraded crossovers) with a pair of 80 watt Quicksilver monoblocks and they never seemed to break a sweat,,plus they have never sounded better to me,,and that's comparing them to a pair of Odyssey Monos SE's,,, Quicksilvers were my choice--hands down,, the Belles 21a plays nice with a variety of tube and sand amps,,,, BTW--the Quickies and LSI were connected to my Belles 20a at the time,,, hmmm,, good luck,, you are in for a treat.

Edit-- you can easily afford the pre and power amps and still have money for sonicaps. ;)

...and Mr. Daniels knows his tubes!!! I have witnessed this first hand. Tip O' the hat George.

[venomclan]

Pre-owned Modright 9.0SE for the Pre.

[organ]

You have a lot to choose from at your price range. Check out some ASL www.divertech.com

When you said you want it based on the 12A*7 tubes, are you talking about tubes in the pre, amplifier or both? There are great designs out there that use the 6DJ8, 6922 or 6SN7.

[chargerman426]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have been looking at all the brands you have mentioned as well as some others. So I bring to another brand I haven't heard from you yet that I'm very interested in. The company is Cayin audio and the Pre I'm looking at is the

SC-5LS - http://www.aurumcantususa.com/Produc...egory=26:50:31


and the Amp is the

860 (I would get the one with 6550 tubes) - http://www.aurumcantususa.com/Produc...egory=26:48:29

Has anyone heard thsi gear before or any of Cayin's line? If so what did you think?

[chargerman426]

You have a lot to choose from at your price range. Check out some ASL www.divertech.com

When you said you want it based on the 12A*7 tubes, are you talking about tubes in the pre, amplifier or both? There are great designs out there that use the 6DJ8, 6922 or 6SN7.

I already have NOS 12A*7 tubes and I rather not re-invest in a different type of pre amp tube. It's a bigger deal for me for the 12A*7 tubes to be in the pre then the power amp for the reason that tubes in the pre amp stages make a bigger difference.

[marvda1]

chargerman, what did you decide on?

[chargerman426]

marvda1 I think I'm going to go with Cayin. I have heard a lot of good things about there integrated amps so I'm going to give there separates a try. I'm excited about the power amp. It would allow me to run pretty much any power tube I want and it is very easy to bias.


Just out of curiosity has any one every used or heard Cayin gear?