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Topspin70

Which sub-$1k amp gives out the most seducative tube sound?

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Any bros out there can advise what's the most tube sounding amp under the $1k mark? I listen to a lot of vocals and I love a rich, seductive, drool-dripping, 3-dimensional, palpable sound.

 

I'm currently driving a GS1000i with a DarkVoice 336 with RCA and GE tubes. Things sound very detailed but a little flat and one-dimensional. I guess I could roll tubes but dunno will it make a very big difference? If the amp is the limiting factor, I would avoid spending money buying different tubes to try. So any tips you could offer here would be appreciated too!

Edited by Topspin70

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What source, powercord and interconnects are you using? You might want to state all your rig.

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What source, powercord and interconnects are you using? You might want to state all your rig.

 

Good point. Everything in the chain matters. Here's the rig:

 

Source: Marantz CD5001 (sitting on Boston Audio Tuneblocks, while TAOC footers sits on top)

Interconnect: Nordost Blue Heaven

Power Cord: Furutech

Amp: DarkVoice TH336 (sitting on isonodes and turning them into mush)

Output: RCA 6AS7 ($30 2nd hand so must be basic tube)

Input: GE 6SN7 ($70 from Wells)

 

What do you think is the cause of the not-very-tube sound I"m getting?

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Things sound very detailed but a little flat and one-dimensional.

 

I've a feeling that Nordost Blue Heaven is the culprit. I used to own it with the same impression. You might want to loan a interconnects to try just to be sure.

 

And replace RCA 6AS7 with 5998 Tungsol or even better 421A Western Electric which is leap ahead in sonically (6AS7 = 5998= 421A). Check with Frankie from Well Audio if he has stock or you can buy from Tubeworld.

Edited by ical

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I've a feeling that Nordost Blue Heaven is the culprit. I used to own it with the same impression. You might want to loan a interconnects to try just to be sure.

 

And replace RCA 6AS7 with 5998 Tungsol or even better 421A Western Electric which is leap ahead in sonically (6AS7 = 5998= 421A). Check with Frankie from Well Audio if he has stock or you can buy from Tubeworld.

 

Thanks for the great advice. I gather the Tungsol and WE tubes don't come cheap. But would you say it's still a better option than getting a new amp? I'm quite new to tubes so I dun know which results in more sonic difference, new amp or better tubes. Granted I'm talking about a new sub-$1k amp and not the high-end Zana Deux type.

 

Interesting point about the Nordost. I've had them for a long time and I forgot they lean towards a bright sound. I'll do a swop and see what happens. Any suggestion though? Like what cables really bring out the best in tube sound.

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DarkVoice 336 is a decently good amp. To beat it, I believe you'll need a amp that cost more than your budget. So I'll suggest you to save up and upgrade later once you're ready. You wouldn't hear much improvement by upgrading moderately which will cost more in the long run.

 

For interconnects, you can check out Van Den Hul First Ultimate which has an excellent mid thought it might sound a little too dark for some. As usually, cable is about matching. So the only way to know is to have a home trial.

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/van-den-hul...85_1584crx.aspx

 

And if you prefer tube, better to stick to it. I've a friend who recently got backfire upgrading from a budget tube to a highend solid state. He ended up selling it after he realized that he still miss tube sound. Solid state amp will never sound tubey which I've yet to hear one.

 

Anyway, there's not many choice for tube amp. You can check the following:

1. DNA Sonett (hot favorite at Camjam with HD800)

http://www.dnaudio.com/DNA-Sonett-headphone-amplifier.html

 

2. Mapletree Audio Design (goes very well with Grado)

http://hollowstate.netfirms.com

 

3. Woo Audio (headfi favorite of all time)

http://www.wooaudio.com

 

4. Yamamoto (excellent for low impedance cans)

http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/HA-02-new-e.html

 

5. Eddie Current (say to be able to drive most cans well)

http://www.eddiecurrent.com/Zanadeux.html

Edited by ical

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DarkVoice 336 is a decently good amp. To beat it, I believe you'll need a amp that cost more than your budget. So I'll suggest you to save up and upgrade later once you're ready. You wouldn't hear much improvement by upgrading moderately which will cost more in the long run.

 

For interconnects, you can check out Van Den Hul First Ultimate which has an excellent mid thought it might sound a little too dark for some. As usually, cable is about matching. So the only way to know is to have a home trial.

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/van-den-hul...85_1584crx.aspx

 

And if you prefer tube, better to stick to it. I've a friend who recently got backfire upgrading from a budget tube to a highend solid state. He ended up selling it after he realized that he still miss tube sound. Solid state amp will never sound tubey which I've yet to hear one.

 

Anyway, there's not many choice for tube amp. You can check the following:

1. DNA Sonett (hot favorite at Camjam with HD800)

http://www.dnaudio.com/DNA-Sonett-headphone-amplifier.html

 

2. Mapletree Audio Design (goes very well with Grado)

http://hollowstate.netfirms.com

 

3. Woo Audio (headfi favorite of all time)

http://www.wooaudio.com

 

4. Yamamoto (excellent for low impedance cans)

http://www2.117.ne.jp/~y-s/HA-02-new-e.html

 

5. Eddie Current (say to be able to drive most cans well)

http://www.eddiecurrent.com/Zanadeux.html

 

Wow. Thanks. This is so useful!

 

The amps you recommend looks fantastic but clearly out of my budget (for now at least). I'll take your advice: upgrade the tube WE 421A and change that interconnect.

 

The VDH First Ultimate sounds like it will really solve my brightness problem. But what do you mean by too dark for some? Like so laid back until the dynamics is gone? The reviews look really good but what I can't figure out is how can a cable have smooth, rolled off highs and yet be detailed and airy? I have been using SS amps for my hi-fi rig so these tube descriptions are really throwing me off now. Haha.

 

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VDH First Ultimate is one of it's kind. It made of carbon which has very different characteristic compare to the rest. So can't think it as a normal metal cable. Just have to hear it to believe.

 

Dark ground= low noise level which some find that soundstage is being compromise. I personal prefer it as it improve on imaging, more micro detail when noise decrease.

 

There's a lot of thing that can't be explain in audio. Sound is also subjective. So the only way is to experience it yourself. That's what I'm doing and that's the fun part of this hobby. I only trust my ears.

Edited by ical

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XCanv8 is a tube amp. By the way there's a WooAudio WA6 for sale on Jaben forums. Around 1k. Check it out too.

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XCanv8 is a tube amp. By the way there's a WooAudio WA6 for sale on Jaben forums. Around 1k. Check it out too.

 

Are these two amps higher league than the DarkVoice? Wooaudio sounds good but in their website, WA6 costs US$585 brand new. Is $1K a good price locally?

 

Before upgrading my amp I'm gonna try to swop my interconnect first and see what happens first. Then upgrade the tubes. But looks like the WA6 can't use any tubes I got for the DV. :no:

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Are these two amps higher league than the DarkVoice? Wooaudio sounds good but in their website, WA6 costs US$585 brand new. Is $1K a good price locally?

 

Before upgrading my amp I'm gonna try to swop my interconnect first and see what happens first. Then upgrade the tubes. But looks like the WA6 can't use any tubes I got for the DV. :no:

 

whether the amp is higher league compare to the other amp..it all boiled down to the personal prefernces again..i will say that the price 1k is abit too hard to take..but unless u can have access to buy thing online..then you can order from the web..i believe the shipping and all add up to 1k~ too with the upgrade that pongz had gotten.

 

changing of interconnect depend on what model and brand u get also..some interconnect does make the sound better but non can really change the sound more than changing of amp as the amp have more different sound sig compare to each other.the tubes wise...i rather you spend $$$ on those exp exp tubes and change the sound sig abit here and there if you like your current amp..woo audio just happen that pongz is selling as he is going to balanced setup..but why not arrange for testing and see whether the sound you like anot..just my 2 cents worth of suggestion here..

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