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2250b vs tubes?

albireo13

albireo13

Active Member
I have a nice 2250b in our bedroom. I just ordered a Cayin A-50T as a replacement. I always wanted to try a tube amp and this one caught my eye.
I plan to A/B them. It should be interesting. At the same time I hate to part with the Marantz ... classic vintage rcvr. If time allows, I may try recapping the 2250 to see if that improves the sound. I'll post my results of the A/B.

Rob
 
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I believe the Cayin is a fairly new tube amp. I found the new tube amps to sound almost like a warmer version of a solid state amp. The only thing I could attributed that to is the vast improvement to the power supply section. As compared to vintage tube amps that used a rectifier tube, a germanium diode and a filter cap.

I also found the preamp sections of the receivers to work well as a preamp with many tubed amps. So enjoy and let us know how it works out.

charles
 
what output tube does it use? EL84, 6L6, EL34?

I liked using my Dynaco MKII's monoblocks with my Marantz 2230 as a preamp. nice combo. I found that even the marantz preamps worked well with tubed amps. Like the 3600. And to a lesser extent the 3300. But not the 3650. Far too much of a mismatch on the impedance.

charles
 
Well, I got the Cayin and tried it for a week or so. Sounded great! But, for the life of me I could not say that it beat out the Marantz. Build quality is excellent and it sure looks cool. However, I decided I like the vintage SS look and feel of the Marantz receiver and, I can't find anything to complain about with the Marantz's sound.

So, I ended selling the Cayin.
I guess I'm more of a vintage receiver guy.
 
albireo13 said:
Well, I got the Cayin and tried it for a week or so. Sounded great! But, for the life of me I could not say that it beat out the Marantz. Build quality is excellent and it sure looks cool. However, I decided I like the vintage SS look and feel of the Marantz receiver and, I can't find anything to complain about with the Marantz's sound.

So, I ended selling the Cayin.
I guess I'm more of a vintage receiver guy.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I've also been intrigued with trying a tube amp but I find I'm quite happy with the sound of my 1200 so not highly motivated. Also concerned that that my speakers (Magneplanar MMG's) might not get along well with tubes unless I spend big $$$
 
albireo13 said:
Well, I got the Cayin and tried it for a week or so. Sounded great! But, for the life of me I could not say that it beat out the Marantz. Build quality is excellent and it sure looks cool. However, I decided I like the vintage SS look and feel of the Marantz receiver and, I can't find anything to complain about with the Marantz's sound.

So, I ended selling the Cayin.
I guess I'm more of a vintage receiver guy.
Click to expand...

I'm not surprised! The 70's Marantz line is hard to beat, and the 50b is one of the best sounding, IMHO :thmbsp:
 
Been down the tube highway for many years. And unfortunatly I've learned that a good working Marantz receiver is just as good. There's no magic in them tubes - but they sure look cool.

Actually I've found that mid to early solid state sounds very similar to tubes in many ways. With the exception of SS can pull of a cleaner deep bass and a cleaner top end better. But when if comes to midranges - ah the tubes may have it.
 
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