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  1. #1
    Senior Member gerard's Avatar
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    250 Ti test vintage tube and modern amp

    Just a thread about my test on modern and vintage tube amps .

    I just finish to rebuild a 1960's sansui au-111 vintage amplifier which I think is well known form hifi entousiast .
    You might also know that Sansui was a Jbl distributor in Japan if i am not wrong ( correct me )

    So I test this new baby ( 4x6l6gc) giving around 30-35 watts .


    1- actual installation bi-amp with Xpl200 xover on 250 boxes + 250 Hp .
    Transistor bass amp 120 watts
    Medium amp are 2 rogue m-150 monoblocks kt88 150 watts each with mapletree tube preamp .
    Active Xover rane Ac23.

    2- test mono amp with the sansui au-111
    Sound is very nice , medium has a softness I never had , bass if plenty but not as precise as bi amp .
    overall musicality is very nice , precision is not as good as installtion 1 , Dynamic is ok but defenitely needs more power if you do not live in a studio
    This is really a Vintage sound with Great musicality .

    3 - test bi-amp with the sansui in high frequency :
    Too much bass , imprecise , lost of dynamic : magic is gone .....

    4. Test Rogue as stand alone amp : Result is good but bass is not as well controlled as in Bi amp less precision .

    5. Come back to installation 1 .
    precision , high dynamic ( 250 needs really 120/150 watts ) medium very precise but not as soft as in sansui au-111 .

    may be I should try to test Kt66 instead of KT88 ????



    Installation 1 give a very modern sound able to complete to any modern speakers .


    Gerard

  2. #2
    RIP 2010 scott fitlin's Avatar
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    I like the sound of tubes in the mix. It isnt practical for me to use tube amps, but I am using a Summit Audio DCL-200 compressor in the signal path. Mids are gorgeious, low mids and mid bass are full and warm, highs have that sparkly, but non fatiguing sound, and the bass is generous sounding. Bassline definition was much better than I expected, actually basslines have that stringy, realistic sound. And the kick drum has that thwack that sounds real to me.

    All the years, they always said tube bass is mushy, and highs are rolled off, yet, it sounds the exact opposite to me.

    I love the sound of NOS 1960,s vintage Amperex 12AX7A,s.

    I agree, tubes and JBL do work well!
    scottyj

  3. #3
    RIP 2013 Rolf's Avatar
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    I would like to try tube amps in the HF ? area on my 4343's (300Hz ->). The problem is that I can't find any with enough power. They need at least 300+ watt in that area. In the low end tubes are not an option, the 2235H's needs a lot more.

    Today I use 750W for the woofers, (no problem) and 200W for the rest, and when I play loud, the 200W are clipping.

    I know this is bullshit fore some, but it is the truth. These speakers really need power to do their best.

  4. #4
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    Have you looked at Manley.

    http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/500_Y2K.html


    You might want to also look into hybrid Amps (both SS and tube). Butler Audio makes some nice products. I'm using one in my home theater system.

    http://www.butleraudio.com/home.php

  5. #5
    Senior Member Ducatista47's Avatar
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    Rolf, here is another (expensive) possibility. The Rogue Zeus.
    http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_Zeus.htm
    They should show up used sometimes.

    Speaking of hybrids, if you can get a great deal on a used KR Audio Kronzilla, it doesn't have enough power for you but you won't be disappointed in the sound. If you don't like it, I'll rob a bank and buy it!

    Clark in Peoria
    Information is not Knowledge; Knowledge is not Wisdom
    Too many audiophiles listen with their eyes instead of their ears


  6. #6
    RIP 2010 scott fitlin's Avatar
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    Rolf, have you ever considered a high quality mosfet amp? Mosfets offer a tubey sound and is sweeter sounding than bipolar output amps, and you can get the power levels you need. And at a price from mid price level, to as high as you wanna go. I like mosfets on mid horns, too.

    Also, amps, that have power, are more affordable than super high end brands, Vincent Audio is an up and comer many are saying sounds good!
    scottyj

  7. #7
    Senior Member timc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rolf View Post
    I would like to try tube amps in the HF ? area on my 4343's (300Hz ->). The problem is that I can't find any with enough power. They need at least 300+ watt in that area. In the low end tubes are not an option, the 2235H's needs a lot more.

    Today I use 750W for the woofers, (no problem) and 200W for the rest, and when I play loud, the 200W are clipping.

    I know this is bullshit fore some, but it is the truth. These speakers really need power to do their best.

    Hi Rolf.

    What about a used, BIG Audio Research? The VTM200 monoblocks are often found on Audiogon, and they have power to boot.

    And of course there is the REF-610T..................................But the pricetag



    -Tim
    2213 + 2435HPL w/aquaplas + H9800 (Matsj edition)

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