The VALVE AMP thread

[CnoEvil]

The only thing I might add is that there seems to be quite a lot of focus on reasons not to have a Valve Amp: heat, valve replacement, biasing, etc. Whilst these are real concerns, really these things are very minor and have no impact on day to day running. A good analogy might be a comparison with car tyres. You have to check the air pressures occasionally, and replace them. But on daily usage, you don’t even think about them.

TBF, under Advantages, I did say, "If you play to their strengths, they simply make music sound wonderful...so wonderful, that all the disadvantages melt away."

 

[jimmy1]

I only really know about valve amps for guitar, but any half decent guitarist wouldnt use a tranny amp over valve amp but like i said thats only for guitar so dont know how they handle bass or drums and general music.

 

[Infiniteloop]

I only really know about valve amps for guitar, but any half decent guitarist wouldnt use a tranny amp over valve amp but like i said thats only for guitar so dont know how they handle bass or drums and general music.

The only way to find out is to scratch that itch.

 

[Infiniteloop]

The only thing I might add is that there seems to be quite a lot of focus on reasons not to have a Valve Amp: heat, valve replacement, biasing, etc. Whilst these are real concerns, really these things are very minor and have no impact on day to day running. A good analogy might be a comparison with car tyres. You have to check the air pressures occasionally, and replace them. But on daily usage, you don’t even think about them.

TBF, under Advantages, I did say, "If you play to their strengths, they simply make music sound wonderful...so wonderful, that all the disadvantages melt away."

Yes I know. But still.

 

[jimmy1]

I only really know about valve amps for guitar, but any half decent guitarist wouldnt use a tranny amp over valve amp but like i said thats only for guitar so dont know how they handle bass or drums and general music.

The only way to find out is to scratch that itch.

I would deffo need to hear one first due to cost, i bought all my stuff i use now blind tbh

 

[alchemist 1]

Valves? In this weather?

Ball valves

Gate valves

Gas valves

Radiator valves

Stop valves.............Yes best left for another day........*wacko*

 

[Macspur]

Here's a useful site, particularly for owners of Leben

http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=141

Mac

www.realmusicnet.wordpress.com

 

[Infiniteloop]

I’m on holiday for the next two weeks and having just moved house, I got into painting the lounge. In an attempt to make the task somewhat more pleasant, I set a playlist in the Mac mini and ran it through my Valve and Focal system. I’d moved the speakers out into free space a little (not much) to enable easier access to paint the walls behind them.

I clicked play.

Oh, the sound..... 3 dimensional, tight bass, beautiful liquid vocals, believable piano and sax, properly textured double bass and percussion that was, well, percussive.

Even Oasis sounded emotional and delicate (Cast no shadow).

Having slept on it, I’m now considering going completely Valve. The Devialet is a great Amp, but I’m seriously beginning to think that any SS Amp can’t do what valves can.

 

[CnoEvil]

Having slept on it, I’m now considering going completely Valve. The Devialet is a great Amp, but I’m seriously beginning to think that any SS Amp can’t do what valves can.

I wondered how long that would take you. *biggrin*

You also have the option of something like Pathos....or even a second hand 35i.

 

[Al ears]

Having slept on it, I’m now considering going completely Valve. The Devialet is a great Amp, but I’m seriously beginning to think that any SS Amp can’t do what valves can.

I wondered how long that would take you. *biggrin*

You also have the option of something like Pathos....or even a second hand 35i.

Me too.

One of the best and easiest to live with might be from Prima Luna with their autocalibrating circuitry.

 

[Infiniteloop]

Having slept on it, I’m now considering going completely Valve. The Devialet is a great Amp, but I’m seriously beginning to think that any SS Amp can’t do what valves can.

I wondered how long that would take you. *biggrin*

You also have the option of something like Pathos....or even a second hand 35i.

I fancy some Icon Audio monoblocs. - Or perhaps a NuVista 800....

But it's early days yet. I still think I need some speakers first, and as I've never had a pair of floorstanders, the Reference 3's (I think the 5's would be too big) are still on my radar.

 

[Infiniteloop]

Having slept on it, I’m now considering going completely Valve. The Devialet is a great Amp, but I’m seriously beginning to think that any SS Amp can’t do what valves can.

I wondered how long that would take you. *biggrin*

You also have the option of something like Pathos....or even a second hand 35i.

Me too.

One of the best and easiest to live with might be from Prima Luna with their autocalibrating circuitry.

Most Unison Research Amps have auto biasing too. To be honest, the biasing thing doesn't bother me and wouldn't put me off.

 

[CnoEvil]

I fancy some Icon Audio monoblocs. - Or perhaps a NuVista 800....

But it's early days yet. I still think I need some speakers first, and as I've never had a pair of floorstanders, the Reference 3's (I think the 5's would be too big) are still on my radar.

I like your thinking....of the 2, I would be tempted by Icon Audio Monoblocks driving Ref 3s - or possibly VTL....though VTL are the most Neutral sounding Valve Amps I've heard, which I've only heard driving expensive Focal Utopias - so hard to judge what they'd sound like driving something else.

 

[Al ears]

Having slept on it, I’m now considering going completely Valve. The Devialet is a great Amp, but I’m seriously beginning to think that any SS Amp can’t do what valves can.

I wondered how long that would take you. *biggrin*

You also have the option of something like Pathos....or even a second hand 35i.

Me too.

One of the best and easiest to live with might be from Prima Luna with their autocalibrating circuitry.

Most Unison Research Amps have auto biasing too. To be honest, the biasing thing doesn't bother me and wouldn't put me off.

Me neither but it may make all the difference to a valve amp newly that wants to try tube-rolling.

That and the fact that they sound bloody brilliant that is. ;-)

 

[Al ears]

I fancy some Icon Audio monoblocs. - Or perhaps a NuVista 800....

But it's early days yet. I still think I need some speakers first, and as I've never had a pair of floorstanders, the Reference 3's (I think the 5's would be too big) are still on my radar.

I like your thinking....of the 2, I would be tempted by Icon Audio Monoblocks driving Ref 3s - or possibly VTL....though VTL are the most Neutral sounding Valve Amps I've heard, which I've only heard driving expensive Focal Utopias - so hard to judge what they'd sound like driving something else.

Would love to hear some VTLs but they are probably going to be way outside my potential budget

 

[knaithrover]

Aesthetix

Audio Analogue

AVM

Consonance

Croft

McIntosh

Musical Fidelity Nu Vista

Octave

Pathos

Synthesis Roma (Valve/Class D)

Unison Research Unico

Vincent

I have a Vincent - just got it last week, early days but absolutely loving it so far

 

[CnoEvil]

I have a Vincent - just got it last week, early days but absolutely loving it so far

*good* *music2* *yahoo*

 

[Al ears]

I have a Vincent - just got it last week, early days but absolutely loving it so far

*good* *music2* *yahoo*

My dad owned a Vincent Black Shadow..... but maybe that's a different topic. ;-)

 

[SallyB]

Yes, would be nice to know.

As a tube user, yes, I too would like to know if there are other tube users on here. Given the date of the last reply to this thread, I assume that I will be waiting for the tumbleweed to roll on by!

 

[jjbomber]

As a tube user, yes, I too would like to know if there are other tube users on here. Given the date of the last reply to this thread, I assume that I will be waiting for the tumbleweed to roll on by!

McIntosh user. Rather a recent convert and loving it.

 

[Al ears]

As a tube user, yes, I too would like to know if there are other tube users on here. Given the date of the last reply to this thread, I assume that I will be waiting for the tumbleweed to roll on by!

Best to start a new thread rather than hope ones this old still hold anyone's interest

 

[SallyB]

McIntosh user. Rather a recent convert and loving it.

Before I start a new thread as requested, can I ask the model?

 

[jjbomber]

Before I start a new thread as requested, can I ask the model?

MA252. I could spend all day just looking at the 'green' tubes, never mind listening to it.

 

[Al ears]

MA252. I could spend all day just looking at the 'green' tubes, never mind listening to it.

Nice. Always fancied a McIntosh to drive my American speakers...
However, the Parasound is as close as I got.

 

[SallyB]

Thanks both. Love the looks of both McIntosh and Parasound, but sadly never had the opportunity to hear them. Will switch to a new thread later, but it doesn’t look like it will fly!😀