BigRiver
Member
Photos didn't come through!I spent some time today listening to the new AR I50 integrated, very good even before break in, will keep going over to listen to it over the next several weeks to see how it fares...
EL34 Integrated Amp Entry
- Thread starter BigRiver
- Start date
They show up when I am here on my computer or on my cell phone, so IDK
I've had a Cronus Magnum V1 a few years. It was made special, without a phono preamp. It's a lovely sounding amp with power. I bought used, well under your budget. I've not heard a V3 version, to address what a CM3 in triode setting sounds like. The CM1 weighs 55#s. With majority from the transformers.
For someone who wants to quickly change from 4 ohm to 8 ohm tapes. This one, you have to remove kt120 tubes and top cover. Then move four wires.
I've driven Magnepans, 86db spl, 4 ohm in a 400+ sf room. For jazz, vocals, big band mostly.
Easily drives any speaker I own. So if you wanted to change speakers from your Fortes. Likely wouldn't have to change amps. If stay away from electrostatics.
Now a Bryston 3B solid state amp I have has more bass. But C Magnum is no slouch.
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They show up when I am here on my computer or on my cell phone, so IDK
Is it really necessary to denigrate the President of the United States in your signature?
Jack
Yep.
BigRiver
Member
Hmm, maybe just me then. Anyhow, thanks for sharing and I will be interested to know how it goes for you, please update with thoughts and observations as it breaks in. It's a desert so far on this one.They show up when I am here on my computer or on my cell phone, so IDK
Doesn't show up here either. He must be seeing his images through some sort of link other than AK.
Don't think Mystere is available anymore new, PrimaLuna is the same company (UL and Triode instead of Pentode).
Line Magnetic makes good amplifiers, along the same line is the Muzishare X7 and the Willsenton R8.
I have to agree with trying a single ended amplifier, that's what I would use with your speakers.
It's not just you.
Stonegarden
Member
What about a PrimaLuna EVO 100? You will be stocked with an amp for life. Anyway, I suggest this one because you said entry level, otherwise I´d go with the EVO 300, that is the current equivalent model of what I have, a Dialogue Premium Integrated.
They all are very good sounding and safe amps, with the autobias system, and they can take any power tube from the small 6L6 to the big KT120. (Evo 200 on they can take even bigger tubes like KT150 or KT170). Perfect for tube rolling.
They all are very good sounding and safe amps, with the autobias system, and they can take any power tube from the small 6L6 to the big KT120. (Evo 200 on they can take even bigger tubes like KT150 or KT170). Perfect for tube rolling.
would agree with one other poster, get a used PL dialogue premium amp and you can run almost any octal based tube in it. To really make them sing though, upgrade parts would really help.
BigRiver
Member
Thank you for this suggestion, I take it you like yours then? I have thought about it, and with my budget, I can probably find a used example of the Dialogue Premium.
In a perfect world I would have the funds for the Leben CS600X which is also (like the Prima Luna) a tube rollers delight!
Stonegarden
Member
Yes, I'm very happy with my amp. I bought it 3 years ago and I really think I could't do better with that money.
I wanted to get into the tube world and PrimaLuna is very easy with tubes and has the bad tube indicator light, so it makes a very nice alternative for newbies. Since that I got more than 8 quads, from 6L6gc to KT120 (don't care fot the bigger ones because I don't want to remove the cage). Never blown a tube, and the amp gave me 0 trouble, and I've been running it for 10-12 hours a day since march 2020.
BigRiver
Member
I do like to tinker and know my way well enough around a soldering gun and a schematic to be use about effective enough. I also have access to a GREAT engineer that is generous with time and willing to answer questions.
I will do a bit of looking, however do you personally know of and upgrades, or have a link to a good PL Integrated mod board?
I can guess that, like with so many others, it cold benefit from a coupling cap upgrade (been itching to try the vcap odam).
Thanks, that's like three for the Prima Luna.
This may not fit in with your current plans because it would be more complex but, it would probably be very good with your speakers. The Fortes are designed so that they can be biamped. The Sherwood on the bottom and a 300B on the top would probably sound very good.
I did that with a Klipsch bookshelf speaker using an electronic crossover in front of a Mingda EL34 push pull amp for the bass and a Yaqin 300B SE for the highs. The speakers were decent running full range from only the push pull amp but, didn't have the mids and highs I wanted. When I biamped with the 300B the mids and highs I was missing were now there. It was as if I had purchased an entirely different set of speakers. I have been listening to it everyday for several years and have no desire to change anything.
Steve
I did that with a Klipsch bookshelf speaker using an electronic crossover in front of a Mingda EL34 push pull amp for the bass and a Yaqin 300B SE for the highs. The speakers were decent running full range from only the push pull amp but, didn't have the mids and highs I wanted. When I biamped with the 300B the mids and highs I was missing were now there. It was as if I had purchased an entirely different set of speakers. I have been listening to it everyday for several years and have no desire to change anything.
Steve
BigRiver
Member
Thanks for this! I have thought about Bi-amping and would have to look at how it might work. I bet it could be really fun and from your reports dramatically improve what I am getting now.
Thanks,
Dan