My First Separate - My impressions

[richteer]

Originally Posted by rded

Coz you're an old school audiophile that's why But for people who do 50-50 HT and music solid state amps might be better because 5-7 channel tubes can get very expensive.

Very true! Not mention, quite hot...

[rded]

Originally Posted by mdabb

I would be embarrassed to admit how much money I spend on tubes, but rare tubes hold their value

......... but who knows though ??? where there's a will, there's a way !!! Can't knock anything until you try it.

Oh please do tell how much you spend on tubes . Your Danes love
Clean current. I was auditioning integ amps and tubes last sunday. Them octave tube integrated amps are greatbut at 18k whew!! My heart is set on the Naim supernait integ amp use it for HT bypass

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by rded

Oh please do tell how much you spend on tubes . Your Danes love
Clean current. I was auditioning integ amps and tubes last sunday. Them octave tube integrated amps are greatbut at 18k whew!! My heart is set on the Naim supernait integ amp use it for HT bypass

I think you will be very happy getting into tube gear, certainly doesn't have to be expensive. I know I've spent pennies compared to others, but that's OK. I love what I got !!! It's sweet, it's simple not overdone, it doesn't crap all over the music. Plus thanks to my pre-amp I can have both, a great movie experience and music to die for !!!

I also want to pick up a new tube amp myself, a Cary V12, and I would have to buy a total of twelve tubes for her. Still making up my mind though. She is very beautiful

Really it's all about finding the right combination of tubes you enjoy most. Luckily I have some friends who lend me tubes from time to time, but I do the same in return. Also consider that if you buy a tube and don't prefer the sound, it is very likely someone else loves it, sell the tubes and get the money back !!! Once you settle on what you like, a pair of NOS tubes will viritually last the owner the rest of their music listening lives if they want.

[rded]

Originally Posted by mdabb

I think you will be very happy getting into tube gear, certainly doesn't have to be expensive.

Really it's all about finding the right combination of tubes you enjoy most.

I hear you Mdabb! Tubes are really nice but I can't seem to find an integ amp at less than 5k with HT bypass. Any suggestions.I love my Arcam AVR 600 but its still Naim supernait and the like BTW I hate you for those beautiful Helicons

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Background/Set-up:

Bottomline:
My set-up with the new separate amp sounds awesome both for movies and music, but it sounds about as awesome as when I didn't have it. Maybe as time goes by, I will notice more differences, but for now I am happy but not as impressed with my separate as I thought I would be. I like to call it as I see it and this is how I see it so far. Any comments would be welcomed!

I asked this same question on another thread. I got a Marantz AV9000 for cheap off eBay. I found it made a world of difference on my old setup (old Yamaha receiver), Samsung Blu-ray.

My question was the same, considering that even the most mid-level receivers today are so jam packed with features, is a preamp warranted anymore?

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by rded

I hear you Mdabb! Tubes are really nice but I can't seem to find an integ amp at less than 5k with HT bypass. Any suggestions.I love my Arcam AVR 600 but its still Naim supernait and the like BTW I hate you for those beautiful Helicons

I never looked into integrated amps, but I would certainly imagine there is a selection of integrated amps with a home theater bypass circuit. Next time I'm browsing I'll look out for something. Intamin has a thread here that has a list of preamps with a home theater bypass. Some of them very well should be integrated amps/pre's. It is very common and popular to include a home theater bypass circuit in two channel gear now-days. I guarantee you'll will get great help if you to join AudioCircle and ask for help/suggestions. If you are serious though, I'll see what I can dig up and pass it along to you.

I also know we can find a great pre-amp/amp combo that will kill on budget !!! Unless space is at a premium ???


Thanks again !!!
The Heli's have a very warm and luxurious finish to them. I really enjoy them. Too bad the camera flash alters what they truly look like. I've tried to capture how they naturally look, I just can't seem to do it properly.

[cembros]

Originally Posted by rded

I beg to differ regarding receivers! If ever youre in Chicago I'll let you heam my set up. OTOH, I've heard integrated amps at 50 and 75 watts/ channel blow away Simaudio amps Power ratings go out the window in the real world my friend. I'd rather get a receiver or integrated amp with a high(clean)-current design my friend.

you are quite right, your arcam is a beauty and will drive most speakers including mine with no problem. I rember hearing that its a partial class A design up to like 40 or 50 watts. I would not call what you have a receiver, thats like calling a gt2 porche a street car

[rded]

Mdabb: yes I am dead serious about getting a integ tube or integ solid state. I am in love with the supernait!!!
Cembros the Arcam is very nice and will drive any speaker, but I have been officially ruined by thw supernait Had I only known about it earlier... Oh well.
PS sorry for allthe typos as I'm using a friggin iphone.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by rded

Mdabb: yes I am dead serious about getting a integ tube or integ solid state. I am in love with the supernait!!!

Cool, there is a list here that might contain integrateds. Scroll down a little bit for the list. I know there is even more than what is listed though. So I'm confident something out there will grab ya........

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=94148

I'll also ask around and see what might be out there. I have a few ideas

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

My question was the same, considering that even the most mid-level receivers today are so jam packed with features, is a preamp warranted anymore?

Of course!

1. Why pay for an amp section you don't need (because of external power amp(s))?

2.If you have a hybrid stereo/HT system, you want the HT stuff to compromise the stereo stuff as little as possible, preferably not at all (if stereo is, as it is in my case, your primary focus).

[rded]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Cool, there is a list here that might contain an integrate. Scroll down a little bit for the list. I know there is even more than what is listed though. So I'm confident something out there will grab ya........

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=94148

I'll also ask around and see what might be out there. I have a few ideas

Mdabb, was actually looking for an integ amp(solid or tube) with an HT bypass and not a pre/pro But its cool, I'll look into that list-again.

Originally Posted by richteer

2.If you have a hybrid stereo/HT system, you want the HT stuff to compromise the stereo stuff as little as possible, preferably not at all (if stereo is, as it is in my case, your primary focus).

Rich, I know the above comment was not intended for me but I get the point ok!? I'll do an HT bypass eventually. Now I won't be able to sleep.

[TOP_GUN]

I have monitor audio gs60's If I got tubes what kind of power would I need to push them

[rded]

Originally Posted by TOP_GUN

I have monitor audio gs60's If I got tubes what kind of power would I need to push them

Wassup fellow Chicagoan?! To answer your question, a 50-75 watt/channel tube amp(even a solid state amp) with CLEAN HIGH CURRENT DESIGN will drive your speakers without a hiccup. The real question is how much do you wanna spend on tubes? Mono blocks and 2channel tube amps are not cheap 5 channel tubes OMG. Look at Gremal's 5 channel integ tube amp, its over 20K MSRP.
Just a tip: You can go to Promusica by clark and fullerton, They have plenty of tube amps there. There's also the EDGE home theatre in Palatine and my favorite- Nextlevel AV as they're just starting to carry tube amps.

[TOP_GUN]

Right now I have a rotel) 991 2 ch amp so will a tube amp sound better then what I have I'm 75% ht and 25% music so I'm looking for a tube that is good for both

[richteer]

Originally Posted by TOP_GUN

Right now I have a rotel) 991 2 ch amp so will a tube amp sound better then what I have I'm 75% ht and 25% music so I'm looking for a tube that is good for both

As usual, "it depends". A crappy tube amp will be bested by a good SS amp. What's your budget?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by rded

Rich, I know the above comment was not intended for me but I get the point ok!? I'll do an HT bypass eventually. Now I won't be able to sleep.

Just doin' my bit to help the economy! :-)

[rded]

Originally Posted by TOP_GUN

Right now I have a rotel) 991 2 ch amp so will a tube amp sound better then what I have I'm 75% ht and 25% music so I'm looking for a tube that is good for both

Generally speaking if an amp performs well when tested with music it'll do just as good for HT. Will tube amp brand A or B sound better than your rotel? Its up to you to decde.the question I've been asking u is: Did you want a 2 or 5/7 channel tube amp and how much do you want to spend? Combining audio components is very personal and subjective and you need to demo as many amps as possible in combination with your receiver in order for you t find just the right mix and that's budjet friendly.IMO since you do more HT than music then get a reputable 5 or 7 channel solid state amp and be done with it. Or if space is limited and you can stomach 5K then get the Arcam AVR 600.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by rded

Mdabb, was actually looking for an integ amp(solid or tube) with an HT bypass and not a pre/pro But its cool, I'll look into that list-again.

Sorry to confuse you, but I'm on the same page as you. You are looking for an Integrated, solid state or tube, with a home theater bypass. I was just thinking that something on that list in Intamin's thread has to be an Integrated. If not, in any case I was browsing online during lunch and there are Integrateds out there with a home theater bypass, even seen some Solid state and tube ones and even better...... well within your budget . I just started looking, but I will provide you with what I saw earlier, shortly. I have to look them up again.


Just out of curiosity, is there any brands that you want to stay away from ???

[mdabb]

Gonna start putting what I find here, unless you would like to do this via PM or email. Could also put them on Alex's (Intamin) thread, I'm sure he won't mind, plus the fact that he is also looking to see what's out there as well.


Rogue Audio - Tempest II integrated amplifier.
http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_Tempest.htm

I have a buddy who loves his Rogue amps very much. I also value his opinion very much. So I know Their stuff is gonna sound great.


SimAudio MOON i5.3
http://www.simaudio.com/mooni53.htm

more to come...............

[rded]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Rogue Audio - Tempest II integrated amplifier.
http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_Tempest.htm

I have a buddy who loves his Rogue amps very much. I also value his opinion very much. So I know Their stuff is gonna sound great.


SimAudio MOON i5.3
http://www.simaudio.com/mooni53.htm

more to come...............

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check into the rogue but I'm not to crazy about Simaudio; its too matter of fact almost to the point of being boring. I'm gonna get bashed for saying that But I need a little PRAT you know what I mean??