I'm getting a free tube amp

[allstar780]

Okay so I know it's nothing too fantastic, but I'm still excited (even if it just becomes something to tinker with, rather than part of my stereo setup) but basically we have this http://www.vuumaudio.com/VTi-B1.htm at my work, an iPod dock with a tube amp, and someone broke the ipod dock on the display model, and so the manager said I can have it if I want it (the amp is a separate component, so i could care less about the ipod dock)... but basically I'm curious as to some opinions on this thing, as well as where I could buy replacement tubes online?

[richteer]

Great score!

As for places to get new tubes, try the Tube Depot or Tubes Direct. No experience with either, but both look OK.

Have fun!

[allstar780]

Thanks rich! I can replace the tubes (including the price of having them tested and matched) for around $75... i think i might do that actually.... just to say i spent $75 on a tube amp lol

[CasualKiller]

You're going to need some very small, easy to drive speakers for that thing or it's going to clip like hell (15 wpc)..

Maybe:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...pha-B1-Monitor

or:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...ha-LR1-Monitor

Here's a CAM thread with nothing but tube info:

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum...56ff9afa4a06eb

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by allstar780

Okay so I know it's nothing too fantastic, but I'm still excited (even if it just becomes something to tinker with, rather than part of my stereo setup) but basically we have this http://www.vuumaudio.com/VTi-B1.htm at my work, an iPod dock with a tube amp, and someone broke the ipod dock on the display model, and so the manager said I can have it if I want it (the amp is a separate component, so i could care less about the ipod dock)... but basically I'm curious as to some opinions on this thing, as well as where I could buy replacement tubes online?

This is sweet. Now, it is time for you to buy one of these beautiful tube Pre-Amps and get rid off your solid state electronics.

In addition to places Rich mentioned, you can buy replacement tubes from Parts-Express or Pacific Valve.

[coolmilo]

This is a cool deal. I would get another iPod doc and a good set of efficient speakers. The rip some of your favorite CD's as lossless audio, sit back, and enjoy!!! Assuming you have an iPod. Well...who doesn't have an iPod.

[DC_Street]

ipods are the devil's mp3 player

[allstar780]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

You're going to need some very small, easy to drive speakers for that thing or it's going to clip like hell (15 wpc)..

Maybe:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...pha-B1-Monitor

or:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...ha-LR1-Monitor

Here's a CAM thread with nothing but tube info:

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum...56ff9afa4a06eb

15 watts is more than enough... if you have a 100 watt per channel amp (like my onkyo stereo amp) chances are you've never drawn more than 10-15 watts out of it anyways (unless you have horribly power-hungry speakers).... as a matter of fact, my B&Ws were run on a 12 watt ipod dock tube amp similar to the one i'm getting (i told the guy at the store that I had my eye on a 25 watt tube amp and he kinda went "well this is what they'll do for you with a 12 watt amp" and hooked them up to it) and they worked beautifully...

[CasualKiller]

Nah, my friend has the other version of that, got it from London Drugs if I'm not mistaken.

It's a fairly sissy amp and clips quite easily.

Edit> the reason I suggested the PSB's is that's what he ended up getting and runs it as a bedroom stereo.

[rubberghost]

that's super cool. you got a lucky break.

[petenad]

Ok now don't take my head off but why would one want a tube amp anyway what is the benefit??

[allstar780]

Originally Posted by petenad

Ok now don't take my head off but why would one want a tube amp anyway what is the benefit??

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Nah, my friend has the other version of that, got it from London Drugs if I'm not mistaken.

It's a fairly sissy amp and clips quite easily.

Edit> the reason I suggested the PSB's is that's what he ended up getting and runs it as a bedroom stereo.

I guess I'll see what happens... but I'm sure it will work fine

[CasualKiller]

Gave him a call and asked him about this to make sure. Turns out he says it is adequate for most speakers but it is heavy in distortion at louder levels.

He says the distortion gets to be too much before you get to that clipping range.

It was mostly just personal preference that he uses it as part of a bedroom stereo, although his opinion is that if it was free, you got a great deal..

[allstar780]

i think what i might do is wire my speakers both as A and B on my 8555, using the B pre-outs to the tube amp and using the A connectors on the 8555... would that work? lol