Does anyone know much about tube amps in here?

I've been a fan every since I bought this cheap Fosi.

Looking at some other options with more power for my Polk towers. I'm still open to solid state after reading the reviews on this Denon too.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Tube amp options I'm looking at:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...7GPX91ORE&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...7GPX91ORE&th=1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26242115776...Mrtybyadi#rwid

Don't really have a set budget. But I think $3-400 tops is what I'm willing to spend.

let me preface by saying i dont know jack shiettt about tube amps and their specifics but i was in a similar situation, i needed something to power my bookshelf speakers. i was using an older onkyo receiver which was fine but it was just too damn big. i just wanted something to fit on top of my desk and look cool, so i looked up tube amps.

i think mostly anything you posted should be pretty good, i looked at those also and chose the one below simply for aesthetics. i like the first douk one.

i ended up going with this blutube thing, which i think is a rebranded nobsound. mixed reviews but its been fine for me and i think the sound quality is great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1



i use these klipshe speakers, with a matching klipshe subwoofer
https://www.klipsch.com/products/rp-...shelf-speakers


i dont use the bluetooth too often but it works fine and sounds ok, my main source is my gaming pc. i dont use this for headphones either since i have a sound card in my pc with better quality







as far as the denon stereo amp, those are great, i have a denon receiver in my living room and the audio is fantastic. i just wanted something small to sit on my desk.

Funny that I have that amp in my Amazon cart.

I have a Denon AVR 590, which is a 2010. I'm not certain how much better it will sound than the other Denon I linked or with a tube amp.

However, I did find the specs for it. The digital input is only, True 24-bit/96-kHz Digital Input Capability, which is not as good as the Denon above.https://chicagopawners.com/products/...iant=268428186

I'll keep updating as I learn and shop more. I may just buy a tube amp and the Denon to compare, then sell the old Denon and only be spending about $200 on the upgrade.

This is the space I'm working with. Polk A5s

Yeah I have to run my speakers at 24/96. I was piggybacking the amp from my sound card, but unfortunately using the regular speaker connections caused a ton of interference, which can be common with sound cards/computers. Had a 24/7 hum that just wouldn't go away, too much electronic interference. Optical solved that.

So I run them using an optical connection which limits to 24 bit 96khz. My sound card is capable of 32bit/384khz. So my headphones take advantage of it but not my speakers.

I have an atmos system with klipshe reference premiers and a denon avr in my living room, can't remember which model denon tho off the top of my head.

If this is all for your living room setup why not get something like a newer denon avr with 4k/8k/atmos/blah blah blah. Keep the option open to go full surround and have some nice newer features like airplay 2 and stuff? There's some great Avrs for sub 500 bucks these days

My friend had the same issue with hum, but a new motherboard I think fixed the issue.

The TV acts as my switch, so it's in 4k and video doesn't pass through the receiver. The receiver only acts as an amp. Then the TV sends the optical signal to the AVR for amplification. The tube amps I'm looking at can accept optical as well.

I just don't need all the extras that an AVR has. I did a lot more research today and I'm definitely going tubes. I may go hybrid. So I have the warm sound of tubes and the power of a solid state.

The reason I don't go 5.1 or Atmos is because I'm set for that downstairs. I use the Denon 1612, iirc down here. Little more power than the 590. I could then use the 590 to power the couch. But I think both remotes work for each Denon, so that could be a problem...crap.

Sickkk setup down there.


Update thread with whatever you end up getting and how you like it

Thanks brah.

I ended up going with the Dayton hybrid tube amp.https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton...defined=399.99

It seemed to have the most power that my Polk's will command. I did debate a preamp for the Denonhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1, but that'd come out to about $450, and the Tube pre amps did not have the connections I wanted.

I got expedited shipping, so I should have it by 08.01.

It can take anywhere from 50 to 100 hours to break the tubes in though. In the past I've left stereos on overnight to speed up the process. So I won't be able to update right away.

Arrived yesterday. I have a solid 3 hours in on the break-in. I'm not entirely sure how much time it takes to break-in, found nothing online. Right now I'm not blown away over my Denon AVR, which I'm not surprised because Denon makes a great product with a great DAC.

Goals so far are achieved though. Highs are not as bright. Lows are a lot more smooth. My ears are thanking me. Deep house is sounding the best on it right now, which is expected. I did play some vocal tracks with electronic and rock. Vocals sound fantastic. Metallica black album sounded great too. The remote is a joke, but I can just pick up a universal remote to fix that, if needed.

I'm really tempted to pick up this other Denon amp to compare it to a great solid state amp to ensure this Dayton hybrid is the best buy.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Yeah I can't imagine it's better than the denon, but it does look really cool lol


I left music playing on mine for like 2 days straight to help break in

I did it for about a week. I do like the sound. Much less harshness on the top end. Bass has more roll to it, not punchy, and sounds more musical.

I bought a budget Klipsch 10" sub. The AVR for some reason had some bad bass when it got punchy and couldn't produce the proper frequency. That's gone. So that's nice.

My only gripe is the remote still. Talked to tech, no real solution. The volume increments using it is terrible. Makes me want to return it, but I'm not sure of a better option.

I tried a tube amp from Monoprice and it sounded like crap and broke after 6 months. I got this amp instead and it is a beast. If you really want to go down the rabbithole on audio check out audiosciencereview, they have an absurd amount of information on what is and isn't any good.

(Can't post links yet, so just google 'Dayton Audio APA-150'.)

2 posts

2012 join date

Comments on a random amp thread

Da fuk

he's been waiting 11 years for a tube amp thread