Suggestions on first amp and/or preamp under $1,500

[Nervous_Dude]

Hey Everyone,

New to the community and working to put together my first set up since having 'adult money'. I managed to get a pair of ADS L710 speakers and have a Fluance RT-81 turntable. Trying to pick the right amp/receiver to pair them with. I'd like to spend less than $1,500 on both the amp and the preamp (or the full amount on an amp that doesn't need a preamp).

I've been looking at Marantz 2238B, Pioneer SX-850, and Pioneer SA-8800. I have a Technics/Panasonic SA-500 and a Pioneer TX-9500 in storage that I need to test once my 12 AWG wire and banana clips come in the mail too.

My ears are not as discerning as many AK posters (yet), so I am pretty flexible on options. Ideally I'd at least get something that will hold up enough as I develop a better ear for the equipment though so that I won't have to replace anything for a few years.

I listen to vinyl mostly but also a decent amount of cassettes. Not super worried about a tuner and likely won't be playing anything else through the system than vinyl/cassettes.

Any help would be much appreciated. Do any of the receivers I have my eye on seem right? Are there others that would be better?

Edit: I know the amps I've looked at so far are solid state, but am looking for recommendations in my budget for tube amps to compare.

 

[Nervous_Dude]

Sorry for the mix-up on the budget. The post submitted while I was editing the title. $1,500 is the budget for both amp and preamp or for just an amp with an inbuilt preamp.

 

[Nervous_Dude]

Yeah, sorry for the confusion. I was looking at solid state amps, but was hoping for suggestions on tube amps to consider instead of these if there are affordable options. I made multiple mistakes in making the post but can't delete it to move this version to the solid state forum and repost a clearer question about tube amps here.

 

[Dswankey]

$1,500 is the budget for both amp and preamp or for just an amp with an inbuilt preamp.

I just reported your initial post so the mods can clean it up for you getting rid of all the SS references that don't pertain to what your looking for tube wise.

So clarification is needed on a couple of things here

New or used?

How set are you having separates? (Power amp + Pre-amp)

Also you need to factor in that the ADS L710's would benefit with some oomph to drive them, here's the suggested wattage from ADS

http://sportsbil.com/ads/l-710-specs.pdf

http://www.derekspratt.com/PDFs/Personal/Audio/ADS L710 Speakers.pdf

 

[Nervous_Dude]

I just reported your initial post so the mods can clean it up for you getting rid of all the SS references that don't pertain to what your looking for tube wise.

So clarification is needed on a couple of things here

New or used?

How set are you having separates? (Power amp + Pre-amp)

Thanks for the help Dswankey. I'm open to anything, but since that is likely not very helpful I'll say my slight preference is probably towards vintage and not having separates.

 

[hjames]

Moderator here!
Sources you plan to use are just Vinyl and cassettes? no Cds, no Digital streamer, No tuner/radio sources.
I have had solid state and tube gear over the years. basically, if you need more power, solid state is probably in order.
Tube power is generally more pricey - but - you may not need as much with tubes.
I am currently using a separate preamp and power amp in my main system, (both transistor based used gear)
but previous I had an integrated Jolida tube amp (preamp and amp all in one).
It was a bit under $1000 -
60/80 watts a channel into 8 Ohms, would be a higher power to a 4 ohm load.
It's a fairly new piece of gear - not vintage, less that 10 years old.
Or you can get solid state integrated preamp/amp gear as well.
(I'm not selling my gear - just talking about what's available).
Are you open to used, or prefer new only?

 

[kappclark]

Not separates ? Vintage ? I vote Fisher 400 - avail restored under $1,000

 

[Dswankey]

A good vintage integrated (Power & Pre combined) tube amp can be had in your budget range.

Look for brands such as Pilot, Fisher, HH Scott

 

[Dswankey]

For any suggestions going forward please factor in the OP is using a pair of ADS L-710 which are 4 Ohm minium

 

[adnick]

Welcome to the site:

My first suggestion is a Dynaco ST70, several completely rebuilt currently available in BarterTown within your budget. The ST 70 is an excellent amp, have one myself, and there’s a complete aftermarket parts business dedicated to Dynaco tube equipment. One thing to keep in mind, vintage tube equipment prices are not going down, so I’d buy now vs waiting….

BarterTown requires a subscription to look, buy/sell but it’s certainly one of the places to buy equipment, especially tube equipment.

Preamps in the tube world are also going up in price, many options, a Dynaco PAS is an option if you can find one refurbished by someone who knows what they’re doing. There are many modern tube preamps that are good candidates…However to begin with I’d probably recommend a vintage SS pre with a good reputation, many can be had for just $200-300, and might also have good MM & MC phono stages.

My next recommendation in an integrated approach is a Fisher integrated, or a Fisher receiver. The 400 and 500 Receivers are excellent with very good phono stages, you might even find an 800 within your budget.

Again advertise on BarterTown, for a Fisher or other(s) and also post a question in the appropriate forum, asking which Fisher, (or whatever) would the members of that forum recommend….

Have fun, “The woods are lovely dark and deep” in the tube world


VR
Andy

 

[Jazzy4u]

Tubes: BAT VK 300X Integrated Amp
Solid State: Krell KAV 400xi or Krell S300i or Yamaha A-S1200
My Choice for your speakers and budget. Solid State: Integrated with MM/MC phono built in - Music Fidelity A-1008

 

[Jazzy4u]

Given Your Speakers and Budget,
I would go with, Musical Fidelity Integrated Amplifier, at used prices, they are a steal.
For example, the model A-1008 250w/ch into 8 ohms 400w/ch into 4 ohms Damping Factor 140, Yes it will have your speakers making beautiful music.

 

[Jazzy4u]

Hey Everyone,

New to the community and working to put together my first set up since having 'adult money'. I managed to get a pair of ADS L710 speakers and have a Fluance RT-81 turntable. Trying to pick the right amp/receiver to pair them with. I'd like to spend less than $1,500 on both the amp and the preamp (or the full amount on an amp that doesn't need a preamp).

I've been looking at Marantz 2238B, Pioneer SX-850, and Pioneer SA-8800. I have a Technics/Panasonic SA-500 and a Pioneer TX-9500 in storage that I need to test once my 12 AWG wire and banana clips come in the mail too.

My ears are not as discerning as many AK posters (yet), so I am pretty flexible on options. Ideally I'd at least get something that will hold up enough as I develop a better ear for the equipment though so that I won't have to replace anything for a few years.

I listen to vinyl mostly but also a decent amount of cassettes. Not super worried about a tuner and likely won't be playing anything else through the system than vinyl/cassettes.

Any help would be much appreciated. Do any of the receivers I have my eye on seem right? Are there others that would be better?

Edit: I know the amps I've looked at so far are solid state, but am looking for recommendations in my budget for tube amps to compare.

Check Your PM

 

[Nervous_Dude]

Moderator here!
Sources you plan to use are just Vinyl and cassettes? no Cds, no Digital streamer, No tuner/radio sources.
I have had solid state and tube gear over the years. basically, if you need more power, solid state is probably in order.
Tube power is generally more pricey - but - you may not need as much with tubes.
I am currently using a separate preamp and power amp in my main system, (both transistor based used gear)
but previous I had an integrated Jolida tube amp (preamp and amp all in one).
It was a bit under $1000 -
60/80 watts a channel into 8 Ohms, would be a higher power to a 4 ohm load.
It's a fairly new piece of gear - not vintage, less that 10 years old.
Or you can get solid state integrated preamp/amp gear as well.
(I'm not selling my gear - just talking about what's available).
Are you open to used, or prefer new only?

Thanks HJames. I definitely won't be doing CDs or digital streaming, tuner/radio is possible but not necessary. I'm very open to used gear and also to separate as well as integrated. Which Jolida do you think would pair with the ADS L710s?

 

[xero-D-hero]

Just remember if you're going to listen to & record cassettes,you're gonna want a full function tape loop (w/monitor).
And that item right there will often eliminate a good many new (and recently made) integrated amps and/or preamps.

As for recommendations,boy that's a wide open topic right there,you're gonna get all sorts of responses.
And everyone typically tends to recommend what they like without really knowing what is gonna fit your needs best.
So yeah expect lots of questions.

Me,I'm a SS / seperates kinda guy,and I lean towards vintage gear,but that's mostly just due to my budget (REALLY low...)
With the OP's stated budget and components I'd maybe pair a vntage preamp w/a new(er) power amp.

Say something like the Parasound 2125v2 power amp new.
And pair that with a low useage NAD / Rotel / ??? vintage preamp.

With new gear it's easy to be specific on a make & model suggestion...
But with vintage gear it's harder as it's usually "whatever" you happen to run across while looking.

HTH

Bret P.

 

[hjames]

Thanks HJames. I definitely won't be doing CDs or digital streaming, tuner/radio is possible but not necessary. I'm very open to used gear and also to separate as well as integrated. Which Jolida do you think would pair with the ADS L710s?

Mine is the Jolida 502 CRC. Probably a good choice for you as well - its the higher output model.
I do need an external preamp to run my TT in (an old Denon DP45F I bought new in 84, with a Stanton 681EEE cart).
One nice thing is it does have a beefy remote for Vol and Mute functions.
I did some tube swapping to get sound improvements above the stock tubes - but that's something most tube gear owner do.

 

[David_NC]

For tubes, by Dynaco ST-70 (power amp) and Sherwood S-5000II (integrated) are nice and should fit your budget. For SS, I like my mid-power Marantz 2235B receiver and Kenwood KA-9100 integrated amp. Both have preamp outputs if you want to add a subwoofer or use an external power amp at some point. As much as I like those, I'm rediscovering how much I like my Luxman R-115. It's not from the same 'era' as the vintage units above, but it is one of my favorite receivers. If its 70 watts per channel is enough, I find it hard to beat. I don't have L710's, but I have used all of the ones I mentioned with several models of ADS speakers. Your 710's are efficient enough that any that I listed will work well, as will the ones you mentioned,
I just remembered the Harman-Kardon A300 tube integrated amp. It's significantly lower in power (15 wpc, I believe), but it's got really great imaging and clarity, for lack of a better way to describe it. Your L710's 92dB efficiency isn't far from my L520's, and that's another great combination that I'd recommend. The A300 is incredibly easy to rebuild. I replaced all the caps and a a few resistors in mine, and it took me longer to order parts than it did to install them, and I'm definitely a beginner in tube repair. Another nice thing about these is that they tend to be quite inexpensive. The pics below are how it looked when I brought it home.

 

[rajoo]

From my recent experience, the ADS 710 I purchased a year or so ago sounded way better with a high powered SS amp.
I used both a VTA ST-70 and Bryston 4B ST with a BP-20 as pre and much preferred the Bryston. Room is perhaps 400 sft.
Also used a Adcom GFA-555 but the Bryston is much more refined.

 

[Lavane]

I agree with a ST-70 if your wanting to try tubes. They sound good, and there is so much info and support. There is a reason they have never went out of production by one or more companies over the years. And if you don't like it, you can always get your money back when you sell it. I built a VTA version from a kit. It was my daily driver for over 10 years. Only replaced recently by a pair of VTA M-125 mono block tube amps. If you saved up a little more money I would also suggest a Rogue Audio Sphinx hybrid integrated amplifier.
The new version lll is just a bit over $1500. You can find the version ll or l cheaper used.
Tube front end and SS output. Rogues support is very good also.

 

[BamaBilly]

Mostly vinyl IMHO should get a phono pre. That Marantz with a good phono preamp would sound great. That was my setup for a while, I ran a 2252b with a Parks Audio Budgie first then moved to a modified Jolida JD9. Either combo is within your price range and both of the pre’s are tube.