Anyone here into vacuum tube audio?

CTnewbie76 · 07-11-2008, 10:01 PM

My ex boss really turned me on to hi-fi audio and I have assembled a really nice vacuum tube stereo over time. The way it reproduces music is just amazing to me - so much closer to live music than I have ever heard with solid state systems. I can sit for hours just listening to music through this system without any fatigue whatsoever.

Anyone else here into tube audio? What kind of system/speakers do you have?

joke1176 · 07-11-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTnewbie76

My ex boss really turned me on to hi-fi audio and I have assembled a really nice vacuum tube stereo over time. The way it reproduces music is just amazing to me - so much closer to live music than I have ever heard with solid state systems. I can sit for hours just listening to music through this system without any fatigue whatsoever.

Anyone else here into tube audio? What kind of system/speakers do you have?

Do tube amps count? If so, I am a big fan of any old school guitar amps. They are noisier, but sound better than the solid state stuff for sure.

thebigspendur · 07-12-2008, 01:10 AM

I got involved in audio back in the 1970s when tubes were the only things available and I used to build kits. heath, Eico, Dyna were the big names back then in kits. Most of my stuff now is hybrid. Personally most of the tubes now are made in china or Russia or czech and aren't very good. If you do tube rolling and replace the junk that comes with todays equipment, even high end stuff with vintage English or French Tubes the difference is astounding. Like a new pice of equipment.

For me its just too expensive now. To replace a tube set with good tubes especially a power amp or pre amp can cost a lot of money and every 3 years or so you have to change them out.

joke1176 · 07-12-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

...If you do tube rolling and replace the junk that comes with todays equipment, even high end stuff with vintage English or French Tubes the difference is astounding. Like a new pice of equipment...

Tube rolling? Is that slang for making/rebuilding tubes or something?

Presently42 · 07-12-2008, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joke1176

Tube rolling? Is that slang for making/rebuilding tubes or something?

Tube rolling is the act of changing a tube and replacing it with another tube. The name supposedly is derrived from the action taken to remove and insert a tube.

CTnewbie76 · 07-12-2008, 06:51 AM

Yes, I agree that the tubes get expensive. My monoblock amps alone each have 2 300b output tubes, 1 input and 1 driver tube, and 2 rectifier tubes. When you start tube rolling from the factory supplied Russian junk to quality NOS tubes the $$$ add up quick. That said, tube rolling is fantastic. I just love how different tubes can really improve and change the coloration of the sound.

My system is a single ended triode 300b amp/preamp setup that produces only 12 watts per channel so speaker selection is critical. Even at only 12 watts, the speakers are so sensitive that you really cant turn the volume all the way up.

timberrr59 · 07-13-2008, 06:02 PM

I have some American electronic vacuum tubes for trade. I need a shave-ready straight razor. Ugly is OK. Let us make a trade. RRR

thebigspendur · 07-14-2008, 12:27 AM

There aren't too many speakers able to fill a large sized room with sound on 12 watts especially if your into bass heavy stuff.

Kriton · 07-14-2008, 03:33 AM

The speakers for that application are Klipsch Heritge boys; pair of Cornwalls and nice SET amp, and you have something very special - I have two pairs CW's, three pairs Heresys, and counting - working up to Klipschorns, best there is...IMHO

Super efficient, perfect for those tube amps - I have heard osme set-ups that would make you cry.

K

CTnewbie76 · 07-14-2008, 11:41 PM

Yes, I would need horns for a big room with my setup but for my small living room a pair of Omega Superhemps work quite nicely.

Noam · 07-20-2008, 03:17 PM

As a starving student, I listen to all my music through my computer...but I love vacuum tubes! I used to have a lovely 50-watt guitar amp back in undergrad, nothing felt better than cranking it up to 11 and looking at those little suckers glow as your neighbors frantically dialed 911. Back then I was doing a lot of artwork featuring vacuum tubes. I'd love to make some kinetic sculptures or something, making lite-brite pictures with el34s

DemonsDanceAlone · 07-22-2008, 10:30 AM

I have a Manley Gold and Neumann M150 (both Microphones) and they are by far the top shelf of my studio. No post, vocals are warm and clean enough to print right off the diaphragm. Combine that with some vintage Pultec's and Tube-Tech's and my job gets realllly easy. Anyone who thinks new is better than old just proves their ignorance.

Also have a Mesa/Boogie coupled with a TM-7 ScrotumSmasher that knocks the paint off the walls. Fun times...Now your making me want more tubes.

cabo_sailor · 07-22-2008, 02:31 PM

It's curious this comes up. I'm having my TV repaired and the tech tells me he has approx 300 tested tubes in their boxes along with a high quality tube tester. He's asking $500 for the whole kit and kaboodle.

David P · 07-22-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTnewbie76

Yes, I agree that the tubes get expensive. My monoblock amps alone each have 2 300b output tubes, 1 input and 1 driver tube, and 2 rectifier tubes. When you start tube rolling from the factory supplied Russian junk to quality NOS tubes the $$$ add up quick. That said, tube rolling is fantastic. I just love how different tubes can really improve and change the coloration of the sound.

My system is a single ended triode 300b amp/preamp setup that produces only 12 watts per channel so speaker selection is critical. Even at only 12 watts, the speakers are so sensitive that you really cant turn the volume all the way up.

Tube amps (non instrument) used rectifier tubes? This sounds to crazy me. Using rectifier tubes instead of a simple 4 diode circuit to greatly changes the audio. You get much more .... stutter(for lack of better word) using the tubes because there is a much slower response time plus it is less efficient than solid state rectifiers... The power transformer's job is to boost the 115VAC input from the wall to 250-600V (depending on class) to run the tubes. The tubes need DC so the amp needs a rectifier. Tubes ARE diodes, but they are expensive, and touchy. Depending on the tube (Im used to the GZ34( the voltage is multiplied by up to 1.4. Im just surprised to hear this. What kind of rectifier tubes do your amps use?

CTnewbie76 · 07-23-2008, 03:48 AM

Many audiophile tube stereo amps use tube rectifiers FYI. My previous 300b integrated used a single 5AR4 (I used a Mullard 1940s NOS) and my current 300b monoblocks each use 2 5U4GBs (I like RCA NOS). My monoblocks and preamp are both from Manley, which in addition to making fine professional studio equipment make very fine audiophile gear.

David P · 07-23-2008, 05:15 AM

huh!very interesting thanks. I'll have to check out these tubes