It's a sad fact that in 2021, any tube amp that's even half decent is going to be expensive.
Well (and as you know) there a couple of expensive bits required by most of them -- mostly the iron
ic bits, but sometimes the vacuum tubes themselves.
Hi
I am overwhelmed now after reading this comments
Now I am really rethinking about tubes,
Let me tell u my story
I have zen can-dac
Paired with
Akg 712 dt 770 80ohms and fostex t50rps
So I was curious about tubes now
For the OP's benefit, and to echo
@SIY's comment, the interection of the
cheap and
good sets for vacuum tube components is essentially the
empty set.
I couldn't recommend to (indeed, I cannot even imagine) anyone to even consider trying a vacuum tube component without having experienced one.
@AMKAM if you cannot find someone with a component which you can audition, I'd strongly recommend buying from an established, reputable local/regional vendor
with a generous returns policy. Here in the US, we have several reliable on-line and hybrid retailers (e.g., Music Direct, Crutchfield, AudioAdvisor, e.g.). I don't know if there are similar options for you. The investment won't be a trivial one, so, again, I'd strongly advise you to mitigate the risk.
Can you solder? If so, there are good options that are cost effective, but not really suitable for
absolute neophytes.
Pete Millett, who used to design and sell headphone amplifiers for a living, has generously shared a bevy of designs with the DIY community, with projects aimed at all skill levels -- including, e.g., specialized amps that use unusual "space charge" triode tubes that were designed to operate at low and thus (relatively) safe plate voltages.
http://www.pmillett.com/
Here, e.g., is a Pete Millett "space charge" hybrid headphone amp/"linestage" I built many years ago:
http://www.pmillett.com/hybrid_head.htm
The
lethality aspect of most vacuum tube audio amplifiers cannot be over-emphasized as a consideration.
Were I you (and obviously I'm not!), FWIW, I'd start with something like the Dynakitparts ST-35 stereo power amplifier -- and a pair of moderately sensitive
loudspeakers. The ST-35 is a modern implementation of a proven design at a reasonable price in an easy-to-assemble kit form (just as were the original Dynaco/Dynakit products of decades gone by).
https://www.dynakitparts.com/shop/st-35-kit-120-vac/
Headphone amplifiers run the gamut from utter junk at bargain prices to obscenely overpriced junk
There are probably a few gems in between, but the signal to noise ratio in that market (and in my opinion) is extremely poor.
Hope this is helpful!