What's the Best Hi-Fi Amp for the Tube Curious?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2024
- I review my experience with high-fidelity tube amps in general and, in particular, restoration and modification (resto/mod) of Magnavox stereo console amplifiers from Magnavox's stereo tube era (1958-64). My intention with this video is to give the viewers some ideas about what's possible with these console amps, how they can be used as an entry point into tube amplifiers, and how they can be incorporated into existing systems. I share some of what I know about tube amplifiers, what makes them special, and my approach to modification and redesign.
The video features four different amps, one single-ended and three push-pull (plus a brief visit with a Westinghouse single-ended console amp). Two are based on Dave Gillespie's modifications, which are designed to improve on the original but also preserve its character. One of these is an AMP 185 and uses Gillespie's mods for the 8800 series. The AMP 185, like the 8800, uses 6V6 (or 6V6GT) tubes in the output stage in push-pull configuration. The other Gillespie-inspired amp is the DG-SE1 and uses Gillespie's mods for the 8600 series. I've built three of these so far, two on 8600-series chassis and one on an AMP 196 chassis. Two other amps are based on Morgan Jones's Bevois Valley amplifier. One follows his design nearly exactly and is built on a Magnavox 9300-series chassis with Dynaco output transformers. The other modifies the design to use 6V6 (rather than EL84) tubes in the output stage and is built on a Magnavox AMP 175 chassis with Harman Kardon output transformers.
Sound tests feature "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal.
Instagram:: @geomorphdog
Facebook: stephen.t.lancaster
00:00 Beginning titles
00:23 Warning: Shameless Self-Promotion Ahead
06:43 Tube Curious?
10:11 A Story About Scoring Vintage Gear
11:56 Build 1: Magnavox AMP 185
17:13 Build 1 Listening Test
17:44 What's so great about tube amps?
18:47 Is it pretty? Aesthetics of tube and solid state amps
22:25 Builds 2, 3, 6 & 8: DG-SE1 single-ended tube amp
23:18 DG-SE1 frequency response graphs
25:58 DG-SE1 Listening Tests
27:05 What's so special about single-ended tube amps?
32:59 DG-SE1 frequency response with bigger output transformers
33:33 Single-ended Westinghouse amp
35:05 Push-Pull Tube Amps
35:52 Build 4: BV-6V6 push-pull tube amp
38:40 Tube Names: WTF?
39:15 Back to the BV-6V6
43:19 BV-6V6 Listening test
43:51 Build 5: Bevois (Beaver) Valley push-pull tube amp
48:00 Beaver Valley frequency response graphs
49:09 Beaver Valley specs vs. Willsenton R8
51:14 Downside to the Beaver Valley?
52:15 Beaver Valley listening tests
53:36 Satisfying My Own Tube Curiosity
54:04 Easy integration of tube power amps into existing systems
56:10 Aren't tube preamps the best way to get that tubey sound?
58:41 Closing - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
You had me at pursuing light and joy. You'd have made a Great Jedi. Sharing your channel with audio friends. Hopefully boost your potential.
FYI my friend: E88CC = 6922, 6n23p-EB/EV. ECC88 =6DJ8, 6n23P, E188CC=7308
i sure enjoy your videos. i have a maggie 175, and im doing a scratch build of a DG SE-1 right as i listen/watch this video. good stuff, my man.
Great video! A few years ago I built a Gillespie mod Magnavox 9304 with the added input buffer stage from the Audiokarma Dave Gillespie thread “More fun with Magnavox”. All I can say is WOW, what a great sounding amp! In my build I retained the original output transformers, however. The best part is that I paid $20 for the donor console which I located in Utah and had a local friend identify, pick up, and kindly disassemble and ship to me in California. The shipping cost more than the amp!
I had previously restored a complete Magnavox console and record changer with an 8802 amp which looked nice and actually sounded pretty darn good. Even with original ceramic stylus record changer and original 1961 vintage speakers (with updated crossover caps) I got a lot of enjoyment out of it. I still have it, although my wife kinda wishes I didn’t. 😅. Ultimately I wanted to pair a Maggy with a modern turntable and a have a little more power, so started looking for a 9304 donor console and found the one in Utah. I went deep down the rabbit hole with that build, and even sought and received some advice from Mr. Gillespie himself along the way. I even built a nice flame walnut wood surround for it which looks quite nice. I definitely won’t part with that amp until I give it to one of my sons perhaps, and it is my “daily driver.” High sensitivity speakers help a lot too, and I use Klipsch RP-600Ms and they pair well. Anyway, I agree that at least half the fun is finding the donor console and opening the back and seeing that it does have one of the “right” amps to mod out. It’s like sonic archaeology! 😊. Keep up the great work!
Amazing video. Your knowledge of these amps is impressive. Also, I really really can't overstate how nice it is to hear someone willing to say that some of what they are saying could be subjective as what sounds nice to one person may not be as nice to another (I like a good deal of midrange and my wife prefers just the highs and lows). Great video.
Thanks!
I do like your approach. I hope you obtain 1000 subscribers
Awesome video and yes, I'm tube curious
😁
Please stay on the path of light and joy! I enjoy hearing bits of the music you enjoy listening to! And I'm up for listening to shameless promotion and the potential conflict of interest when you describe the quality of music reproduction of amps you fix and sell! I like your content and hope you make your subscriber goals...
Thanks for the kind words!
Great Video! I been pulling console and organ tube amps for some time now. I'm running 6L6gb ppp mono block baldwin organ amps at about 40wpc and it has plenty of dynamics and bass due to the large output transformers. But then again I have a LOT of tube amps.
I'm interested to know how you built your set of mono blocks. Did you find them one at a time or get them as a set?
Subscribed. Well done.
New subscriber
Rather than the large vintage stereo consoles, I've wondered if a smaller amp from a vintage mono suitcase record player with a built-in speaker could be modified to provide good tube sound?
I've wondered the same thing. I do have an old portable r2r with tubes. It only has a mono amp.
everytime hifi goes up in technology we go down in sound quality, Tubes to Transistors, Class A to Class D amps...is this true ?
Hey Stephen, another great video. Quick question, would you have an opinion on a Philips "The Montrose" console stereo to harvest a tube amp from? I can get one very cheap, wondering if it would be worthwhile. I can find very limited to no information on the internet. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!
Identical to this one ..... seventiesstereo.blogspot.com/2012/05/blog-post.html?m=1
I can't tell because the pictures don't show the power amp. I don't know anything about Philips consoles.
Think I'll take a gamble it's so cheap, get me into the technical side of these things. Still keep my eyes peeled for a Maggie!
I prefer a tube preamplifier used with a solid state class D power amp. Do you build and sell tube preamplifiers?
I haven't yet, but I would like to. My research is revealing why highest quality preamps are so expensive. I might have stayed a preamp project a while ago if I had found a source for the switch needed for Morgan Jones's volume control design.
Im really struggling between getting a Sansui 1000a its kinda strange half tube and transistor . Do you have any experience with one ? Im a young kid trying to learn . I can get one that's fully refurbished for 400.00$ which seems a great deal but its not fully tube which is kinda strange. Im also looking at a bell 3dt model local it's from 1958 i believe it is quite old rated for 20 watts . Let me know what you think or would recommend. Also lookin at onyx/Melody H34 preamp from 2004 rated for 45 watts
I hand the Sansui 1000, and the 1000a was a major redesign, but the 1000 has a solid state phono stage, and I'm guessing that's also the part of the 1000a that's solid state. The 1000's phono stage isn't very good, so I redesigned and rebuilt it. That was a pain. Still, the amps on the 1000 and 1000a are classic and have great iron (output transformers). If "fully refurbished" means all electrolytic and oil capacitors have been replaced, then that's a decent price. You could pay that much for the iron alone. I got my 1000 from a friend for $120, but it has needed a lot of work and still isn't done.
@@Lancaster_Hi-Fi thank you so much ! I'm narrowed it down to the Sansui 1000a and also the Sansui 7070
Those are very different! Both very nice. Is love to get one of the x0x0 series someday, but they can run into real money. An update on my 1000: I keep thinking I've got the phono preamp sorted only to find it sounding like utter crap later. Mine is back to crap. It's maddening! At this point I'm even considering cramming a Rega Phono Mini into the case!
39 min...Slew Rate means how quickly an Amp changes Output Voltage in response to change in Input Voltage..Volts / Time
Yes, and I'm referring to slewing distortion, which is when the slew rate can't keep up with the frequency and amplitude of the input signal.
Looking for a tube amp that has a nice 'holographic' sound. Any suggestions?
Why not try a modern amp?!
@@GeirRssaak I own an Emotiva BasX A2. Considering a tube amp or Galion amp.
@@tedkay5272 why do you need a new amp?!
@@tedkay5272 why are you unhappy with your emotiva?!
@@GeirRssaak I like the amp. Just very curious if I could get any improvements with tubes. I have never heard them.
If your not on AudioKarma, you should be.
I am. I just don't hang out there. I generally get help there with my tube builds.
Hi 👋 Sir good morning, I am Sathish getting retirement DHL in March. I want to buy a good stereo music vacuum tube pre amplifier, which I need 5 inputs with phono , Two Pre outputs for power amplifier, active powered speakers, view meter , and remote black color. Can please advise which one to buy. I have chosen Vincent SA 32 tube valve pre amplifier. Please reply waiting for reply. Thanks.
I don't know what to tell you. Sorry!
Adcom amps are good amps.
Agreed. My Adcom power amp is a beast. The preamps and tuners and combos tend to develop problems, though. They used glue to hold down the larger components, and that glue becomes corrosive and conductive over time. They also used microcontrollers. On my preamp-tuner combo, I've cleaned off all the old glue and replaced affected components, but I can't do anything about the microcontroller. I now have an excellent preamp with a bunch of extra buttons to control a tuner that doesn't work, and the unit won't turn off. Better than won't turn on!
Why do some confused people still prefer tubes?!
Try telling a professional lead guitarist (who almost certainly uses a tube amp in some form of production) that they are "confused".
Another Tube evangelist with lots of words going around and around in circles using words like Bollocks over and over. Tubes are great and so are Solid state amps. Try them all and enjoy your music dont get caught up in the this is the best mantra.
Sorry can you go straight to the work instead of explaining everything under the sun?