Tube amps that can be hooked up to TVs?

[Storm]

Does anyone know if there are Tube Amps or receivers that can be hooked up to TV's, Tivo, CD players, turntables, etc?

I am interested in tubes, but I use my speakers for everything and dont want to purchase additional speakers just for tube use.

Thank you for any of your help, it is greatly appreciated.

Can I hook up tubes to an existing receiver?

Sorry, I am new to the tube thing.



-Storm.

[Shane Shuster]

Just hook the tube amp to the pre-out jacks on the back of your 3380. Then connect your Valencias to the tube amp.

A lot of guys like low powered SET tube amps, I think they are questionable on anything lower than about 105db 1w/1m speakers. I'd personally stay away from the under 10 watt amps with Valencias given their sensitivity. Depends how loud you listen to them though.

[Storm]

What tube amp should I get? Do I only need one or two?

Thanks!

I have heard it will tame the horns on the Altecs, is that true?

-Storm.

[Shane Shuster]

What tube amp should I get? Do I only need one or two?

Thanks!

I have heard it will tame the horns on the Altecs, is that true?

-Storm.

If its a mono amp you need 2, if its a stereo amp you only need 1.

Taming horns with tube amps... kind of but not really. You can match up a certain tube amp with a certain speaker and get the interaction to act somewhat like an EQ. I would argue that you are not changing (taming) the speakers physical characteristics but just Eq'ing the frequency response a bit.

Do you use your Tivo, cd players ect through the 3380? I would think getting a mid range receiver ($500ish) would be a better bet. You could use the digital output of your newer devices. The mid range receivers have better DACs which usually sound better than the analog outs of things like cable boxes, game systems and cheap dvd/cd players.

[Storm]

My receiver is only 2 months old.

It is a stereo - 2 channel.

So, I would only need one?

Thank you for your help, I greatly appreciate it.

In your opinion - do you think I should even try tubes or forget it?

-Storm.

[hjames]

My receiver is only 2 months old.

It is a stereo - 2 channel.

So, I would only need one?

Thank you for your help, I greatly appreciate it.

In your opinion - do you think I should even try tubes or forget it?

-Storm.

The concept is that amps come in mono or stereo form. Some folks buy a pair of single channel amps to get the maximum isolation (separation) between Left and Right channels. But if you are using vintage gear, its twice as many places for old parts that could fail ... Tube gear can also be expensive to own and maintain.

But are you looking to feed the preamp out from your HK receiver into a tube amp?

[spwal]

Storm,

i thought you would know about this. I would advise against using your tube amp for watching tv, as tubes are expensive. My friend does it all the time... runs his tube preamp as a switcher for everything, but i think hes nuts to waste the tube on his tv.

anyway... i can recommend a very nice tube amp in my experience. I had a conrad johnson mv 55. for under 1k, it is a great amp, 45 wpc el34 tubes---should be a nice match for the valencias.

I have heard good things about the quicksilvers, they are reasonably priced but i havent heard them.

The closest thing ive heard to tube magic without the tubes is the fanstastic pass labs aleph 3. Also for under 1k, it was a hellaciously good amplifier. If i didnt have so many toys at the time, i definitely would have held onto it. Some builders can make you an alephclone for probably around 500 bucks custom made to your liking. They are expensive to build because of the massive heatsinking required to keep them cool. You can literally cook an egg on them.

If you have been running your Valencias with a run of the mill reciever then you have completely been missing what your speakers are capable of.

[SUPERBEE]

Tubes are the best route to go for home stereo.

Vintage tube gear is better than the new stuff.

Keep your stereo and your "home theatre" seperate.

I prefer mono block but have heard some GREAT stereo tube amps.

Always chill your nice vodka and fresh limes are the best.

You can never go fast enough.

[jim campbell]

Tubes are the best route to go for home stereo.

Vintage tube gear is better than the new stuff.

Keep your stereo and your "home theatre" seperate.

I prefer mono block but have heard some GREAT stereo tube amps.

Always chill your nice vodka and fresh limes are the best.

You can never go fast enough.

ah grasshopper you are truly wise.when you can snatch the pebble from my hand.....

[BMWCCA]

Why the tubes, anyway? Can't you just stuff socks in your horn (Oooh! That sounds so....naughty!) and achieve the same thing? Or cover the entire cabinet with a big towel? You get what you get. That tubes making certain speakers sound better through matching tube amps is really a crude form of hit-and-miss EQ really made the point elegantly and simply.

-Lots of Crown transistors for nearly every listening experience
-Soundcraftsmen pre-EQ if I don't like the result
-Mac C20 for when I feel the need for some heat
-Fisher SA-1000 (R.I.P.) from when tubes were too damn much trouble

[Storm]

So, hooking up a tube amp to the receiver won't work?

How much different is the sound coming from tubes rather then SS?

Thanks.

-Storm.

[hjames]

So, hooking up a tube amp to the receiver won't work?

How much different is the sound coming from tubes rather then SS?

Thanks.

-Storm.

Sure it will work - assuming your receiver has preamp outputs - you just bypass the receiver's output stage that way.

The point is - is the gain worth the trouble?

[Storm]

Yes, my receiver has those out puts.

Do you think it is not worth the gain?

Am I really not experiencing my speakers' potential?

Thanks.

-Storm.

[louped garouv]

depends on what you normally listen to Storm....

when I had the Model 19s...

I used to swap between a Hafler DH500 (or simmilar powered solid state) and a Heathkit AA-151 (14WPC, EL84 Mullard based Push Pull tube integrated amp) depending on what I was going to listen to....

early blues, jazz, classical, early rock & roll were all great with the tubes...

electronic dance music and other modern "pop type music" seemed to benefit from the additional power

my .02

[Storm]

I enjoy anything from the 60s to the early 90s.

I guess tubes would not be suited for me.

I was only trying to understand the difference between SS and Tubes, because I have only heard good things about tubes and valencias. But, that might be because they listen to the stuff you mentioned.

Thank you for the insight.

-Storm.