Factors to Consider in Selecting a Tube Amp

[Amadave]

I am wanting to go to a tube amp in my system. I asked 2 dealers for their recommendations. Currently, I have Rockport Atrias and both dealers were aware of this when proposing recommendations. I asked them to provide a recommendation for each tube amp brand they carried. The recommendations were:

Audio Research 150SE
VTL S-200
Mcintosh (2) MC75 monos
BAT VK-55SE

I have heard the BAT with speakers and liked the sound. The BAT is only 55 watts per channel. Aside from the Mcintosh at 75 watts, the others are much higher. Is there a reason why there would be so much variation in the power between brands? For what it’s worth, my room is relatively small and I don’t typically listen at high volumes.

[Mikado463]

why do you want to go with tubes ?

what is your budget ? preamp ?

you say a 'small room', how's your HVAC ?

[PHC1]

Without seeing the actual measurements of this 4 ohm speaker, hard to say if it is tube friendly. Most of the time you see these paired with bigger tube amps. You can certainly listen to them with the 55w or 75w tube amp at modest levels in a smaller room but you may not be completely satisfied if your expectations remain the same at much louder levels.

[Amadave]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

why do you want to go with tubes ?

what is your budget ? preamp ?

you say a 'small room', how's your HVAC ?

The reason for tubes is I just the sound. It sounded more real and natural to me.

I have roughly set a budget of $15,000 to $20,000. (Includes preamp)

I am also looking to switch to a tube preamp as well. In fact, if I have to pick between a tube amp and a tube preamp, I would probably switch out the preamp first. The recommends for preamp were:

Audio Research REF 6 or LS28 (likely choice due to cost)
VTL 5.5 II
McIntosh C1100
BAT VK-33SE

The overall cost is BAT lowest to Audio Research highest. The Audio Research and VTL would be more in line with BAT if a lower power model was chosen. This is in part the reason for my original question.

The room is 12 x 12 x 8. The higher power amps do concern me a little from a heat standpoint.

[Mikado463]

If it were me, I'd add the Rogue 'Apollo Dark' to the short list and for less $$ the M-180 mono blocks

[Formerly YB-2]

Having listened primarily to tubes over the past 10yr, or so (until the past few months), the best I've had in my system were the McIntosh MC75s. I preferred them to a pair of MC275s running as monoblocks. Unless you have very difficult to drive speakers, they should offer plenty of power as they actually make ~90w per amp rather than the rated 75w. That said, the best sounds I've heard at a show was the BAT VK-55SE driving a set of Wilson speakers. If I ever go back to separates (unlikely) it will be with a pair of the MC75s.

[robd2]

I might have missed it but what do you have for a preamp and amp now?

[Amadave]

Originally Posted by robd2

I might have missed it but what do you have for a preamp and amp now?

Current Amp/Preamp- McIntosh MC452/C50

[robd2]

Nice system. I'd start with the preamp. Bring home as many demo units as you can to learn what the different brands sound like. It can be very fun trying out many different components. Is there anything specific you don't like about your system now? Maybe a little too much hashhhhhhhh at the top end?

[Amadave]

Originally Posted by robd2

Nice system. I'd start with the preamp. Bring home as many demo units as you can to learn what the different brands sound like. It can be very fun trying out many different components. Is there anything specific you don't like about your system now? Maybe a little too much hashhhhhhhh at the top end?

In home demo is not likely as my nearest dealer is a 6 hour drive away. I will likely have to go with in store comparisons. One dealer carries Audio Research, McIntosh (not sure they stock all tube models)and VTL. The other carries Balanced Audio Technology. I have heard Audio Research and Balanced Audio Technology at different times and I preferred the Balanced Audio Technology. While they both sounded good, the BAT just sounded more natural and pleasing to my ears. The relaxed yet detailed presentation of the BAT is what I feel like I’m missing. I heard a McIntosh C1100 tube preamp with mono 601s and just didn’t get the same feeling.

I talked on the phone to another dealer (10 hours away) and they seemed to like the VTL amps with the BAT preamp. Given the financial outlay, a long trip may be in order.