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Which tube stereo to build or buy under 1500

Tubeglowpio

Tubeglowpio

Active Member
Hey everyone, so this year I've been saving up my money and with Christmas and my birthday around the corner I've been trying to think of either buying or building my main audio rig except for the phono stage. I am currently using a amp I built with magnavox 8601 transformers. I do like the set and sep sound and it goes pretty well with my klipsch and hpm 60 speakers. I know the outputs are one thing that limit my system and have some iron I bought about 4 months ago from edcor to build a rh84 but at this point am trying to decide on building one of these rh84, oddblock, poddwatt, st35, bottle head paramour or buying an already built amp. What's the best sounding of all these options for under 1500. Thank you and happy thanksgiving!
 
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MannyE said:
Check out Bottlehead. They have great options for kits that punch far above their weight.


https://bottlehead.com/product/stereomour-ii-stereo-single-ended-integrated-2a3-amp/
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I have a crack that I've built and it sounded very clean and good but was missing a little bit of the tube magic I thought. I admit I didn't use the holy grail tung sol tube that everyone recommends for the crack. I would hope the 2a3 bottle head amp would have more of the sound I'm looking for though.
 
Shadowdog said:
Maybe upgrade the Output Transformers. Output tubes possibly depending on what you have.
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Currently I'm running those russian el84 tubes from the 70s something like 6p14p ev or something like that. I also have a pair of great Britain mullards, jj, and Baldwin's made in japan. I'm just looking to for a whole different circuit though at this point, I've messed around with that circuit plenty and want to see what else is out there. Its plenty clear and clean sounding, very quiet too and I know better outputs would improve freq response but would rather use new iron on a better circuit. I don't know anyone with tube stereos or hifi stuff in general that I could get an audition. I've checked out the couple local hifi stores but they only had McIntosh solid state set up. Honestly besides being clean sounding I thought a little solid state stereo I whipped up sounded better imho than the McIntosh when it came to emotion and 3d soundstage. I did hear a McIntosh 275 at best buy that sounded pretty nice but not worth 5 grand to me :/
 
Tubeglowpio said:
Currently I'm running those russian el84 tubes from the 70s something like 6p14p ev or something like that. I also have a pair of great Britain mullards, jj, and Baldwin's made in japan. I'm just looking to for a whole different circuit though at this point, I've messed around with that circuit plenty and want to see what else is out there. Its plenty clear and clean sounding, very quiet too and I know better outputs would improve freq response but would rather use new iron on a better circuit. I don't know anyone with tube stereos or hifi stuff in general that I could get an audition. I've checked out the couple local hifi stores but they only had McIntosh solid state set up. Honestly besides being clean sounding I thought a little solid state stereo I whipped up sounded better imho than the McIntosh when it came to emotion and 3d soundstage. I did hear a McIntosh 275 at best buy that sounded pretty nice but not worth 5 grand to me :/
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Well, for the Mac,, you are also paying for the name. Resale prices for Macs are very good and are part of the pricing. But, that doesn't really speak to the sound which you noticed doesn't seem to be twice as good as other tube equipment. But, i would also consider upgrading your speakers. You did not mention what type of Klipsch speakers you have but when putting your system together a relatively equal expenditure between amplification, speakers, and source will result in a balanced stereo system. Thus an improvement in one area will not go unnoticed. Such as an amp improvement can not be resolved by a speaker system that is incapable of reproducing bass notes below 60hz , for example.
 
Klipsch 160m for speakers which are around 95 or 96 db. Also have have a pair of pioneer hpm 60 which are around 93 db. My source is usually a denon dp300f turntable with Ortofon 2m blue cart.
 
The klipsch freq is 43Hz to around 25kHz btw. Just ready to upgrade the power amp part of my set up, think its the weakest part of system at this point.
 
I've tried to put my system together with synergy by reading reviews and checking specs. The power amplifier and phono stage are two that I'm looking at changing soon but my little bear t10 pro phono is ok for now. I will eventually be building a set of full range speakers eventually as well. Really focused on sound differences between the amps listed above and any other best bang for that budget amp that you know of. I've considered old fisher and scott gear but would prefer new, thank you.
 
Dr. Beaker said:
Keep an eye on Barter Town. Lots of good deals on tube amps pop up there. For a new kit, it's hard to beat the VTA ST-70, or VTA ST-120.

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm#ST70
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Hey, thanks for the link don't know how I missed checking out the st120, that thing looks like a beast and have heard good things about 6550 tubes. I wonder how it compares sound wise to the st 35 and st 70? I really need to subscribe soon and check out barter town. Do most people there use PayPal?
 
Tubeglowpio said:
Hey, thanks for the link don't know how I missed checking out the st120, that thing looks like a beast and have heard good things about 6550 tubes. I wonder how it compares sound wise to the st 35 and st 70? I really need to subscribe soon and check out barter town. Do most people there use PayPal?
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With the VTA ST-120 you can run KT120's too. The manuals are very good and the support is great.
 
With that budget you get a fully sorted EICO HF-87 w/ tube spares and have money left over.

Heck, you could get an unmodded HK Citation II for less than that and build it how you want.
 
soundmotor said:
With that budget you get a fully sorted EICO HF-87 w/ tube spares and have money left over.

Heck, you could get an unmodded HK Citation II for less than that and build it how you want.
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I missed out on a eico locally a few months ago, guy would not budge from 400. I didn't have the money, hard to pay the 800 bucks they want on eBay for a used one that needs new parts you know. I've read good reviews and would snag a good conditioned one for 400 if I saw one.
 
Tubeglowpio said:
I missed out on a eico locally a few months ago, guy would not budge from 400. I didn't have the money, hard to pay the 800 bucks they want on eBay for a used one that needs new parts you know. I've read good reviews and would snag a good conditioned one for 400 if I saw one.
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Finding a sorted one for $400 might be tough as they've steadily crept up in price. $800 would definitely be tough for me too as is but they don't seem to be dropping in price.
 
soundmotor said:
Finding a sorted one for $400 might be tough as they've steadily crept up in price. $800 would definitely be tough for me too as is but they don't seem to be dropping in price.
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Ill most likely pass for 800, I've read the outputs are pretty nice but there has to be a sweeter sounding amp in my price range than those right??
 
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