Stereo Tube Amplifier

[allstar780]

I'm considering running some sort of switch to switch between a stereo tube amp for my towers for listening to music and my onkyo for movies, and I had a few questions.

First: Is this feasible? would this work or would introducing a switch create a lot of noise?

Second: If this would work... what brand/model of tube amplifier would anyone recommend? We have this one at my work right now actually powering the RF-35s and I like the way it sounds but I imagine I could get a better one for a decent bit more? (retail on it is $799)

[johnnymech]

This is just a guess on my part, but I'd bet that introducing a switch of any kind would degrade the use of a tube amp. I look forward to the responses of others.

[gearyt]

I don't necessarly agree, but...
you "could" use the pre-outs on you Onkyo, or player chan L & R
to the "tube" amp and not need a switch
It would be interesting to see how the sound field set up
for movies.... I think it would be very close any you may like the results

or...

how about an equalizer ?? change the freq response however you like it

It takes more than tubes to make the sound. You must include the room, the speakers, etc....

[tiger roach]

I just have a completely separate system for music (not tube though ).

Obviously this means you have to duplicate other stuff besides the amp, and maybe even the listening space, so may not be an ideal solution for everyone.

[airkitty]

Look at Berning - I love his amps. I sold Cary Audio amps and they were nice as well. Tube amps ahhhhhhhhh.
Mark

[richteer]

Originally Posted by allstar780

I'm considering running some sort of switch to switch between a stereo tube amp for my towers for listening to music and my onkyo for movies, and I had a few questions.

First: Is this feasible? would this work or would introducing a switch create a lot of noise?

Second: If this would work... what brand/model of tube amplifier would anyone recommend? We have this one at my work right now actually powering the RF-35s and I like the way it sounds but I imagine I could get a better one for a decent bit more? (retail on it is $799)

Forget the switch idea! I would do what gearyt suggested (in fact, when I upgrade my setup, that's exactly what I plan to do, though not necessarily with an Onkyo amp)): use the tube amp for the L & R. (I use a separate preamp for my 2 channel stuff, so I'll be switching input cables too.)

As to what brand of tube amp to recommend: what's your budget? If you can stretch to $1K, the Vincent amp is well regarded, and if you can afford more, check out PrimaLuna's offerings (I use a pair of PrimaLuna ProLogue 7 monoblocks).

[Gremal]

I know this may be more money than you wanted to spend, but try to find a VAC Avatar, VAC Avatar SE or VAC Avatar Super. These are integrated tube amps that have a "cinema bypass" feature, in which the internal preamp is bypassed. You then can use your tube amp to power the front L/R speakers of your home theater system seamlessly and without using a switching device to go between two channel and multichannel. Just use a separate HT preamp like the Integra DTC 9.8

Before I got the VAC Phi Beta last month, I went through a whole evolution of my stereo/HT system using VAC's Avatar line, starting in 1999 with their Avatar. I had that upgraded to the SE version after a few years. Then I upgraded to the Super. All of these amps are fantastic. You can't go wrong with them. It's too bad VAC doesn't make them anymore. You'll have to find them used.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by richteer

Forget the switch idea! I would do what gearyt suggested (in fact, when I upgrade my setup, that's exactly what I plan to do, though not necessarily with an Onkyo amp)): use the tube amp for the L & R. (I use a separate preamp for my 2 channel stuff, so I'll be switching input cables too.)

As to what brand of tube amp to recommend: what's your budget? If you can stretch to $1K, the Vincent amp is well regarded, and if you can afford more, check out PrimaLuna's offerings (I use a pair of PrimaLuna ProLogue 7 monoblocks).

Nice recommendations - I've been looking at Vincent Audio myself lately .

[Intamin]

Along the line of amps, would it be better to get a 2 channel amp for the fronts and let the avr power the rest, or go for a full 7 channel amp?

[allstar780]

I actually talked to my boss today and he told me the same thing... get something a little better (but not much more because my speakers are not high-end enough to justify a $1500 amp for fronts) and run it off the pre-outs.... it is something I will have to save for a while to do but I may do it within the year.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Along the line of amps, would it be better to get a 2 channel amp for the fronts and let the avr power the rest, or go for a full 7 channel amp?

Good question!

I would think the answer to that would depend on your relative priorities/expectations. Stereo (music) is very important to me, so my system will be favouring that. I'll be using monoblocks for the fronts, and probably a 5-channel amp for the rest (center, surrounds and rears if I get any).

Oh, I see what you're asking. Certainly, letting the AVR power the other 5 will get you started quicker/cheaper, but for best results you'll probably want to do what I descirbed in the preceding paragraph. Or you could just go nuts and buy 7 monoblocks!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by richteer

Or you could just go nuts and buy 7 monoblocks!

THAT.... is what we call "sound" advice

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

THAT.... is what we call "sound" advice

Yessss sirrrrrr! +1!