wish tube sound, but don't want to buy tube amp

[munkong]

Hi all

I need your comments to solve my problem

if I wish tube's sound, but I don't want to buy tube amp
(it's difficult to use, heat, waste time before use)

How to solve this problem
which amp I should to go with ?
I have budget with $250-300 or a little bit more

am I stupid headfier?
any good comments for me ?

 

[LeonvB]

If you like the tube sound, you'll want a warm but accurate amp. I don't think that last part will fit into your budget. But you could try an opamp based design. At least you've got the possibility to "roll" then.

 

[Glod]

I don’t think you should dismiss tubes altogether. There are completely maintenance-free solutions, with little, or negligible, heat dispersion.

I have been using a Musical-Fidelity X-10D from time to time in my computer system. It is a so called tube-buffer. It was quite a popular device 10 years ago but it still fetches very handsome money, second hand, on on-line auctions. The idea is that you can put it between the source and the amplifier and get that tube magic sound. Mine is a v2, but there has been a v3 out for a couple of years too. At least the v2, uses very rugged Philips 6922 Mil.Spec. tubes and, mine FWIIW, has been continuously on for about 1,5 years, and it was a second hand unit: No degradation in the SQ at all. I don't know, perhaps it has a stand-by function if there is no signal for a while. What ever, a completely trouble free solution IMO.

The short version: If you are just looking for that tube sound: a tube buffer might be something to look into. Obviously, a dedicated tube-amp will offer better SQ. However, you might get surprised by the effects of, e.g. a MF X-10D or an X-10 v3.

EDIT: And yes, BTW, it looks like you get a second hand MF X-10D (v2) for well under $200 at the on-line auctions!

 

[gordie]

The Headroom Micro Amp has a very nice, warm, smooth sound (with the desktop module, I haven't heard it with the standard, portable, module). It definitely has some of the characteristics associated with tubes, and can drive just about anything. it's $399, which is a bit more than the range you quoted, but worth every penny. It's definitely one of the warmer solid state headphone amps I've ever heard.

-- Gordie

 

[kramer5150]

oops

 

[kramer5150]

yikes!!

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordie The Headroom Micro Amp has a very nice, warm, smooth sound (with the desktop module, I haven't heard it with the standard, portable, module). It definitely has some of the characteristics associated with tubes, and can drive just about anything. it's $399, which is a bit more than the range you quoted, but worth every penny. It's definitely one of the warmer solid state headphone amps I've ever heard. -- Gordie

The headroom micro amp is $299, not $399...

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordie The Headroom Micro Amp has a very nice, warm, smooth sound (with the desktop module, I haven't heard it with the standard, portable, module). It definitely has some of the characteristics associated with tubes, and can drive just about anything. it's $399, which is a bit more than the range you quoted, but worth every penny. It's definitely one of the warmer solid state headphone amps I've ever heard. -- Gordie

The headroom micro amp is $299, not $399...

 

[kramer5150]

I havent heard a SS amp yet that really sounded like an all tube design.... The lag, saturation and swelling effect of tubes is pretty difficult to simulate with solid state designs... without sounding muddy or conjested. Especially at that price point too. IMHO of course

Millet hybrid would be my suggestion. It doesn't have the saturation and lag with its solid state buffers, but the output tubes do add some nice warmth and the spectral signature / balance of tubes is there. Its a fast / quick sounding circuit, as far as tube designs go.

Its not finicky with tubes and bias either. Will run on just about any 12AE6 or equivalent, from 11-14 Volts bias. Just plug em in and it runs... no tube voodoo or black magic. IMHO its a GREAT tube-noob design.

I am surprised at how dead SILENT mine is with my Grados. No Humm, hiss... not a buzz!! Remarkable for an amp in this price range. IMHO a MIllet made by a good builder can easily keep up with other amps costing 2x as much.

IMHO its a pretty high gain cuircuit too. I'm running mine at a very low gain setting with 12FK6 tubes and I still only need the first 15% of the vol knob rotation. So, if you contract a forum builder, might want to spec a low gain design, depending on the sensitivity of your cans.

No youre not a stupid head-fi'er.

Good Luck!!
Garrett

 

[PFKMan23]

The Headroom Micro amp with Desktop Module is $299, not $399.

 

[ghiberti]

munkong.

to get what you want,
it seems you have to let guys know exactly what you mean by "tube sound".
there are lots of tube amps that has various kinds of sound character.

btw, I think it may be very difficult for you to find a SS amp that
can be well compared with nice tube amps at that price range.

I've owned and tried some SS amps. many of'em are out of your price range
but even among them, almost all does not have same level of resolution, 3-dimensionality and
density as Earmax AE

and same level of warmth, delicacy, crispness and dynamic as RP7-B

I also think HeadRoom Micro is a good choice for you. but It does not have
as clear high as SR-71 and PRII does-and they are not as warm as micro-.

if you want all good things, what about going up a little higher?

 

[LeonvB]

Quote:

same level of warmth, delicacy, crispness and dynamic as RP7-B

Last time I checked the RP-7B was 2100 (euro, not $), that's not a "little" higher anymore. I've considered suggesting a cheaper hybrid like the RP5.1, but even that one is quite out of his budget, not to mention it still uses tubes.

And @munkong

After reading the original post:
- Why do you consider tubes so difficult in usage?
- Heat: all A class devices typically put out a lot of heat. They're hardly what I would call efficient. Heat is certainly not limited to tube devices only.

 

[fiery]

I think it is the Xin Supermini that has a sounds-like-a-tube option. maybe someone on here has heard it and can comment?

 

[ghiberti]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonvB Last time I checked the RP-7B was 2100 (euro, not $), that's not a "little" higher anymore

OK, "much" higher

...
to the price range of Rudistor RP5.1 or BAKOON's HDA-5210

 

[Teerawit]

M3.