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Int. Tube amp or. tube preamp + amp
- Thread starter silver12
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JSmith
Master Contributor
- Thread Starter
- #3
Hmm...will consider thisI don't think you should be bothering with tube based devices in 2024.
JSmith
3rd option...Why not ?I don't think you should be bothering with tube based devices in 2024.
JSmith
Tube amps still deliver music very well !
I'm using one in my living-room. I also use a small Aiyima 07 in my home office. I do enjoy both everyday !
Daniel
Expensive (very expensive in a £$/watt basis), use a lot of energy. Tubes wear out and are expensive/difficult to replace. Objective performance is usually significantly worse.
There are no practical reasons for using them. Some claim to be able to hear and prefer the distortion - the reality of being able to hear it in competent tube designs is open to debate. It likely is possible to hear an uneven frequency response from the output impedance interaction with speaker impedance with some speakers. This might be what some people are hearing/preferring.
Until recently I would have liked one just for the aesthetic. However having heard and seen a few at a recent show, I've realised even that draw has lost its appeal.
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
Hi,
This is where personal preference takes over (from objective measurement).
The Muzishare is fairly expensive - £1,400 GBP - and I have no idea how it measures, others may have some experience.
I can't imagine spending that much without objective data but, this is a hobby and it's your choice.
Since you ask for an option, I'd rather have an objectively well made (low noise, low distortion, flat frequency response) device and then apply EQ if I wanted to adjust the sound.
This is where personal preference takes over (from objective measurement).
The Muzishare is fairly expensive - £1,400 GBP - and I have no idea how it measures, others may have some experience.
I can't imagine spending that much without objective data but, this is a hobby and it's your choice.
Since you ask for an option, I'd rather have an objectively well made (low noise, low distortion, flat frequency response) device and then apply EQ if I wanted to adjust the sound.
Jeremy, we do agree on the personal preference point of view. Tube amps have a meaning for me as I've been dreaming to buy one since I'm 18 (I had to wait until 54 to buy one). But they do have more than just meaning. So whenever I do listen some music, I do know why my feet are dancing.
Obviously I did spend 1500€ to buy my amp (Cayin CS-55). So I do hope I will keep it a long time. And I know I might have to replace the tubes one day or another. This is a choice I made.
And I would also remind you that recent tube amps are indeed objectively well designed and well made !
Silver12, I guess you'll have to decide to either buy something reasonable or something more personal.
Daniel
Obviously I did spend 1500€ to buy my amp (Cayin CS-55). So I do hope I will keep it a long time. And I know I might have to replace the tubes one day or another. This is a choice I made.
And I would also remind you that recent tube amps are indeed objectively well designed and well made !
Silver12, I guess you'll have to decide to either buy something reasonable or something more personal.
Daniel
I'm neutral on the tube or no tube idea although this statement is not reality. There are new tube amps out there that have poor test results while people expect them to perform because they are new.
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At a minimum ditch the idea of a tube preamp and conventional power amp. Unless purposely designed to be distorting tube preamps don't really have a sound. The ones designed to distort don't sound like tube power amps either. Tube power amps usually do have some sort of sound. I don't know anything about the brand you are considering. Many modern tube products are poorly designed by standards of the 1960s. I would probably suggest a tube power amp if you want to experience tubes instead of a an integrated tube amp. Whether the integrated makes sense depends upon the particulars.
EDIT: Check my post below. The Muzishare actually looks okay.
EDIT: Check my post below. The Muzishare actually looks okay.
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If I understand you, all tube amps are bad because some are badly designed.
I never said that and if you reread what I typed you will read correctly.If I understand you, all tube amps are bad because some are badly designed.
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Here is a review of the amp you are considering. Basically 40 watts ultralinear and 20 watts triode which is a bit low for a pair of KT88s per channel. Square waves shown make me think the transformers aren't too bad. So maybe not a bad choice. The review makes me think this is a viable alternative to buying some older tube amps.
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Let's agree to disagree on that !
No, lets you read what I posted and stop putting words in my mouth. I posted that some new tube amps measure poorly. What part of that do you not understand?
I followed the opposite path. SS preamp and tube power amp.
I am really happy with it, this system is very pleasant and silent: no noise from transformers or hiss from the speakers.
When I start listening, I put on my usual Roon radios and….I would never turn it off. I really spend many hours listening and this is the real result!!!
I am really happy with it, this system is very pleasant and silent: no noise from transformers or hiss from the speakers.
When I start listening, I put on my usual Roon radios and….I would never turn it off. I really spend many hours listening and this is the real result!!!
Mind you, as Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, "you are entitled to your opnion, but you are not entitled to your own facts". So you are entitled to like tubes and their distortion and load dependent frequency response, but the fact still stands that nearly all tube amplifiers are less than sonically accurate. So if you want to get as close to the original sound as possible, get yourself a modern solid state amp. A few classic tube amps measure adequately (i.e. they are indistinguishable from solid state amps), but do so for much more money and excessive energy wastage.
If you want, I can update your words to something we both agree on :
Some recent tube amps are badly designed and may sound badly. Some others are well designed and sound nicely !
Have a nice day !
Daniel
No, You don't get to upgrade/update my comments. Get a grip!
Bad design= Bad measurement
Good design = Good measurement
relatively speaking, as good as tubes can be done .
So, I don't have the basic right to disagree with you AND I don't have the right to find some common ground !!!! What am I to do ???No, You don't get to upgrade/update my comments. Get a grip!
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