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how to get started in tubes?

Wornears said:
First to preface, some of my views on the day-to-day use of tube audio gear have been tempered by the sage advice and experience of fellow AKer EddyR -- who has forgotten more about tube audio than most of us will know.

Don't forget Sherwood or Stromberg-Carlson for entry-level tube integrated amps. I'd stay away from a tube receiver -- the receiver sections are not up to even some of the cheapest used modern BP stuff (see: Sansui TU-D99X) tuners, and just another electronic section to fail/maintain.

You'll want efficient speakers with tube amplification. It can get costly when/if you want to get up in the over 35 tube-wpc range. I guess your JBL Olympus pair would do <G>.

I harbor tube equipment lust every so often (about quarterly), having grown up in their era and helped my dad test them and replace them in our TVs and his Pioneer SM-B200A -- I want one! -- and Grundig console (which I have yet to pry out of my brother's hands)...

This periodic lust results in a flurry of eBay and Audiogon searching on tube integrated amps (or mono amps) and the resulting go / no-go internal conversations I have on justifying it/them.

I periodically satisfy this irrational tube urge with my modest Grommes 502M receiver (12--15 wpc). But I end up retiring it after a few weeks and go back to my SS Sony 6060F receiver driving JBL L-200.

The Sony gets about as close to "tube" sound as I have heard from SS, costs about 1/2 the entry-dollar point, and has a great phono section. (It parks my Marantz 2270.) Although the Sony doesn't glow as nicely in the dark (without a cage on it), nor does it serve as a substitute room warmer, but I can leave it on 24/7 and leave the room without worry about finding a smoldering pile when I return.

I think every audio enthusiast should have at least one piece of tube gear -- just to get a glimpse at what all the fuss is about.
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Good to see a "wornears" post:yes: There is much wisdom here.:thmbsp:
 
hey-Hey!!!,
I am not sure how to get really good stuff cheaply w/o lots of care. Either find an existing piece well below market value( not all that hard ), or build with a good mentor. Picking the right viintage piece will still require a bit of information, but not nearly so much as you would need to design a good one yourself. Discovering the industrial stuff can yeild some real treasures. I missed a pair of big McIntosh amps that were acquired to drive small shaker tables...:)
cheers,
Douglas
 
Here's one of my tube testers, anyone want to match some audio tubes.... :D

Regards,
Sal

Eico2.jpg

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Great thread!! Keep it up, guys...I've been wondering if I really want to jump into tubes.

If I hit the Lotto tonight, maybe I'll start with the Melody demo set that Venus Hi-Fi is closing out!!!
 
Imo the best way to get in to tubes is with a Dark Voice 336i headphone amp.

Why? Basically because it's a small simple headamp/preamp, and uses two tubes that are very easily attainable for a good price, and that take little effort to be switched out. Plus the unit it self is rather cheap.

But you're probably going for a speaker amp so...
 
I put a few tubes inside of it after I took this picture below. It is pretty much empty, not because I don't have tubes but because they are in boxes and shelves and I'm lazy... :boring:

I bought this tube tester because I remember using them in my youth during the late 60's through the 70's. More photos can of it can be seen at http://www.tuberadios.com/eico660/ and my other tube testers at http://www.tuberadios.com/tubetesters.html. Not shown is my B&K 707 and a few other emission testers I never took photos of. As you can see I am a test equipment junkie....

Sal

Eico7.jpg

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