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Looking for a Made in the USA tube amp

post #1 of 16
3/17/11 at 8:39am
Thread Starter 

I am a new audiophile but know my stuff. I am inquiring if you could help me in finding a tube amp made in the USA. My limit is $100-150. Any suggestions would be great. My preference would be a neutral sounding amp. I've been doing some research online but nothing much.


Edited by bidea117 - 4/4/11 at 7:59am
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post #2 of 16
3/17/11 at 1:19pm

iBasso T3

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post #3 of 16
3/17/11 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HiFlight View Post

iBasso T3


Thank you for the response, I will have a look at it.

 

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post #4 of 16
3/17/11 at 5:09pm

A portable headphone tube amp?  Are you sure you want a tube amplifier?  That seems further away from neutral than solid state...bravo tube amps are the only ones in that price range that I know of, but neutral?  Hm...

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post #5 of 16
3/17/11 at 11:12pm
Thread Starter 

What would you recommend?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bop View Post

A portable headphone tube amp?  Are you sure you want a tube amplifier?  That seems further away from neutral than solid state...bravo tube amps are the only ones in that price range that I know of, but neutral?  Hm...



 

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post #6 of 16
3/18/11 at 12:09am
As far as I know, only TTVJ marketed a portable tube amp. IIRC, it was discontinued. Also, it cost more than $100.

If you want tubes on the cheap, you'll need to build an amp yourself. Also, it won't be portable. Tubes, generally, need a high voltage power supply. That's not something you can do with batteries, unless you want to carry a car battery with you. Not to mention the heat most tubes generate. Solid state is a much better choice for portables.
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post #7 of 16
3/18/11 at 1:22am

There is another but not for 100$ http://www.audiophilechina.com/cp-show.asp?C_id=170&S_id2=2&s_id=78

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post #8 of 16
3/18/11 at 1:55am
Thread Starter 

Thank you for your aid. What would you recommend for say the Audio Technica A700? I am looking into either those or the 750DJs.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by burgunder View Post

There is another but not for 100$ http://www.audiophilechina.com/cp-show.asp?C_id=170&S_id2=2&s_id=78



 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post

As far as I know, only TTVJ marketed a portable tube amp. IIRC, it was discontinued. Also, it cost more than $100.

If you want tubes on the cheap, you'll need to build an amp yourself. Also, it won't be portable. Tubes, generally, need a high voltage power supply. That's not something you can do with batteries, unless you want to carry a car battery with you. Not to mention the heat most tubes generate. Solid state is a much better choice for portables.


 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bop View Post

A portable headphone tube amp?  Are you sure you want a tube amplifier?  That seems further away from neutral than solid state...bravo tube amps are the only ones in that price range that I know of, but neutral?  Hm...



 

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post #9 of 16
3/18/11 at 4:53pm
Since I didn't address it earlier, tubes can be very neutral. It all depends on the tubes used and the circuit.
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post #10 of 16
3/18/11 at 6:37pm

As UE stated, TTVJ made a portable tube hybrid amp and it sounds excellent (I know cos I have one) . They pop in the FS occasionally for ~$300 or so.

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post #11 of 16
3/19/11 at 1:02am
Thread Starter 

So then what would be your recommendations if not a tube amp. I am leaning toward either the Audio Technica ATH-A700 or the Sure SRH-750DJ for my next headphone purchase, something that has pretty good bass (not lacking), decent mids and highs, good soundstage (neutal sounding but i am willing to change my mind on it), well built,etc. Anyways, any suggestions as far as amps go?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by wuwhere View Post

As UE stated, TTVJ made a portable tube hybrid amp and it sounds excellent (I know cos I have one) . They pop in the FS occasionally for ~$300 or so.



 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post

Since I didn't address it earlier, tubes can be very neutral. It all depends on the tubes used and the circuit.


 



Quote:
Originally Posted by burgunder View Post

There is another but not for 100$ http://www.audiophilechina.com/cp-show.asp?C_id=170&S_id2=2&s_id=78



 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bop View Post

A portable headphone tube amp?  Are you sure you want a tube amplifier?  That seems further away from neutral than solid state...bravo tube amps are the only ones in that price range that I know of, but neutral?  Hm...



 

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post #12 of 16
3/19/11 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bidea117 View Post

So then what would be your recommendations if not a tube amp. I am leaning toward either the Audio Technica ATH-A700 or the Sure SRH-750DJ for my next headphone purchase, something that has pretty good bass (not lacking), decent mids and highs, good soundstage (neutal sounding but i am willing to change my mind on it), well built,etc. Anyways, any suggestions as far as amps go?
 



This one from Neco Soundlab. Its more than your budget but it sounds really good.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUAL-AMP-portable-headphone-amplifier-V-2-/140519794881?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item20b7a1e8c1

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post #13 of 16
3/21/11 at 5:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bidea117 View Post

I am a new audiophile but know my stuff. I am inquiring if you could help me in finding a portable headphone tube amp. My limit is $100. Any suggestions would be great. My preference would be a neutral sounding amp.



 not a "tube" amp. but I love mine........

 

http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplifiers.html

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post #14 of 16
3/29/11 at 7:06am
Thread Starter 

What is its power output and frequency range? I'd like to know because I just bought a pair of Audio Technica A700s and they have a higher impedance (unlike some of the Beyerdynamic cans which are really great sounding IMO).
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianKT View Post





 not a "tube" amp. but I love mine........

 

http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplifiers.html



 

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post #15 of 16
1/25/12 at 6:03am
Thread Starter 

Any advice for a "tube sounding" portable solid state headphone amp?

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