Best tube amp design? Experienced opinions
- Thread starter sonix
- Start date
jaymanaa
RIP 1961-2018
And then there is the issue of the speakers being used. Do they prefer S&M or sweet nothings?
We all know that if you use a flea amp, the voice coils stay cool and don't change Z due to heating and cooling.
ferninando
Lunatic Member
there is no one best.
Isn't this like putting the cart before the horse?
One might FIRST consider asking which tube amps, among those we may be familiar with, are the best sounding? Then examine the various circuit designs before drawing any conclusions. IMHO.
I have to vote for the Marantz Model 8b and Model 9.
McIntosh are also very good, if perhaps a tad grainy in the upper mids. Consider the MC240 and MC275, for example.
Finally, Audio Research Corp built numerous tube amps in an attempt to best those mentioned above, and with greater power. The ARC D-150 is an early standout.
Of course, there have been numerous boutique builders in the last 30 years. Generally, though, these amps have been extremely expensive and therefore relatively unknown.
As mentioned above by Stereo Type, were most of these early classics Mullard 520 circuits? I couldn't say, personally, but I have no reason to doubt what he says.
I love these classic tube amps and would like to build a Marantz Model 8b one day.
Worth mentioning, we have an AK member here who is considering developing a kit for the Marantz Model 9 tube power amp...
Any interest???
One might FIRST consider asking which tube amps, among those we may be familiar with, are the best sounding? Then examine the various circuit designs before drawing any conclusions. IMHO.
I have to vote for the Marantz Model 8b and Model 9.
McIntosh are also very good, if perhaps a tad grainy in the upper mids. Consider the MC240 and MC275, for example.
Finally, Audio Research Corp built numerous tube amps in an attempt to best those mentioned above, and with greater power. The ARC D-150 is an early standout.
Of course, there have been numerous boutique builders in the last 30 years. Generally, though, these amps have been extremely expensive and therefore relatively unknown.
As mentioned above by Stereo Type, were most of these early classics Mullard 520 circuits? I couldn't say, personally, but I have no reason to doubt what he says.
I love these classic tube amps and would like to build a Marantz Model 8b one day.
Worth mentioning, we have an AK member here who is considering developing a kit for the Marantz Model 9 tube power amp...
Any interest???
shelly_d
Not An Audiophool
Kinda late to respond to this one I know, but to point out the details, the McIntosh patent is for the output transformer. The circuit's output topology is a pentode push pull. The transformer primary is simply split into two sections, one for the cathodes and one for the plates. Very unique, very original, excellent performance, but still a variation on pentode push pull.
Shelly_D
I tend to favor ultralinear pentode push pull with global negative feedback. I know that some consider that a dirty word but I like the precise control of the music and power output that combination makes when done well. Don't have much of an opinion on the phase splitter stage though.
Shelly_D
Everyone knows it's the Pyle PTVT790A that Hakemon bought for $160.99 last fall. Nobody wants to admit it, though...
-D
-D
PakProtector
AK member
We all know that if you use a flea amp, the voice coils stay cool and don't change Z due to heating and cooling.
Don't forget about the carbon filament speakers that move air by heating the filaments...
cheers,
Douglas