Am I mad? Judge me...and leave a recommendation.

[Chrise36]

So I hate valve amps (erm...'toob' amps). I don't like their sound. I don't like their performance. I don't like the fact that you have to spend a relative fortune to get a half-decent-sounding one.

Now you may disagree with any or all of that, but let's leave that to one side for the moment, because you can still help me out, even if you totally disagree. Isn't that a breath of fresh air.

I also think they look fantastic. I'm sure they're not everyone's cup of tea, but for me they look quite wonderful.

So I want one. But I'm not going to use it, at least not to power any speakers or headphones. I just want a set of massive, juicy glowing valves on my desktop.

And I want them to cost next to nothing.

Over to you for recommendations.

Many thanks.

 

[dualazmak]

Hello OP @Yorkshire Mouth and ASR friends,

Sorry to be out of the scope of OP and this thread.

I assume all of you are already well aware of, but let me share this info...
In Japan, a tube-dedicated audio company UESUGI is still alive/survived with good reputation.

UESUGI's repair, maintenance, overhaul services are just similar to ACCUPHASE's; they provide services for all of their past/present (and future) products (ref. here).

For your aesthetic enjoyment, even though quite expensive, I would like to recommend their integrated amplifier U-BROS660 or U-BROS-660S which has nine (9) tubes on top, and you may remove the coarse cage cover above the tubes for your relaxed viewing; of course you should be careful enough avoiding possible burn injury to yourself your family and to your pet animal(s), and even fire accident.

 

[Galliardist]

Can I just accept the invitation to judge, agree that you are in fact mad, and recommend you leave well alone?

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Can I just accept the invitation to judge, agree that you are in fact mad, and recommend you leave well alone?

Indeed.

In fact I'm quite disappointed that it's taken so long.

 

[mglobe]

So I hate valve amps (erm...'toob' amps). I don't like their sound. I don't like their performance. I don't like the fact that you have to spend a relative fortune to get a half-decent-sounding one.

Now you may disagree with any or all of that, but let's leave that to one side for the moment, because you can still help me out, even if you totally disagree. Isn't that a breath of fresh air.

I also think they look fantastic. I'm sure they're not everyone's cup of tea, but for me they look quite wonderful.

So I want one. But I'm not going to use it, at least not to power any speakers or headphones. I just want a set of massive, juicy glowing valves on my desktop.

And I want them to cost next to nothing.

Over to you for recommendations.

Many thanks.

Not only are you mad, but I’m now mad at you because I’m now searching for an inexpensive tube amp that I can have on display and occasionally plug into my system. Damn you.

 

[Gringoaudio1]

I have a tube phono stage/ buffer and I can’t see the tubes for some reason.

 

[mhardy6647]

Smoother time too.

Not to mention warmer.

 

[mhardy6647]

Absolutely! Double points if it actually works.

And, if anyone has a drawer full of NOS tubes for "rolling", they get a bonus immunity card they can play anytime to avoid being kicked out of the audiophile playground.

8 track reel to reel'd be even better, though!

Random internet image -- I don't have one!

It's the 'lethal voltages' thing that puts me off the tube world.

Working around 600v gives me the heebies.

Just sing that Alanis Morissette song to yourself when working on HV.

✂️ one hand in my pocket

6 seconds · Clipped by M. Hardy · Original video "Alanis Morissette - Hand In My Pocket (Official 4K Music Video)" by Alanis Morissette

youtube.com

And remember: you might get shocked many times, but you'll only get electrocuted once.

 

[ErVikingo]

Absolutely! Double points if it actually works.

And, if anyone has a drawer full of NOS tubes for "rolling", they get a bonus immunity card they can play anytime to avoid being kicked out of the audiophile playground.

I dont have my reel to reel anymore but I have a DAT, does that count?

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

8 track reel to reel'd be even better, though!

View attachment 352655
Random internet image -- I don't have one!

Just sing that Alanis Morissette song to yourself when working on HV.

✂️ one hand in my pocket

6 seconds · Clipped by M. Hardy · Original video "Alanis Morissette - Hand In My Pocket (Official 4K Music Video)" by Alanis Morissette

youtube.com

And remember: you might get shocked many times, but you'll only get electrocuted once.

Also, yes they look fantastically cool.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I dont have my reel to reel anymore but I have a DAT, does that count?

Oooh, a DAT MiniDisc interface.

Serious audio nut territory.

Love it.

 

[RobL]

I used to have an el34 amp and if the room was darkened the glass in the tubes would fluoresce a beautiful electric blue in addition to the warm orange of the heaters…really miss that actually.

 

[ErVikingo]

I also have a SAE Click and Pop remover!

 

[mhardy6647]

I used to have an el34 amp and if the room was darkened the glass in the tubes would fluoresce a beautiful electric blue in addition to the warm orange of the heaters…really miss that actually.

These are both 2A3s, not EL34s, but, yeah, that deep blue fluorescence is a hallmark of a good "hard" vacuum.
(and not Cherenkov radiation )

In full disclosure, both of the above photos were taken by my son.

This Old Camera

A picture a day keeps the demons at bay.

icouldbeahero.blogspot.com

I also have a SAE Click and Pop remover!

is it this rascal?

(not mine; random internet image)

... FWIW, I have an example of Garrard's "Music Recovery Module" which was another impulse noise remover of the good ol' analog days.

 

[Timcognito]

And remember: you might get shocked many times, but you'll only get electrocuted once.

 

[DLS79]

It's the 'lethal voltages' thing that puts me off the tube world.

Working around 600v gives me the heebies.

Voltage isn't what will end you, it's the amps.

Hence why you still find Van degraaff generator in grade schools.

 

[Timcognito]

Voltage isn't what will end you, it's the amps.

Hence why you still find Van degraaff generator in grade schools.

And spark plugs with 15KV. I know from much experience, a few of those will make your arm hurt for few days.

 

[Chr1]

I want a huge Van Degraaff.
Tubes are so passe.
The mrs could style her hair with it too. Maybe.
(Bonus WAF hopefully)

 

[DLS79]

I want a huge Van Degraaff.
Tubes are so passe.
The mrs could style her hair with it too. Maybe.
(Bonus WAF hopefully)

We had one in college that could do like 100KV.

It always amazed the none physics majors how far a spark could jump.

 

[JeremyFife]

Damn, caught myself looking at McIntosh amps on eBay ... going for a long run!