First Tubes

by grinnell on Getting Started

Description

In 2007 i got the bug and bought a tube Int Amp and started in to this audio thing. I remember an early warning that i would buy it, try it and sell it. In the two short years i have already been upgrading. Everything but the CDP was bought used mostly off of Audiogon. I never got rid of my and my wife's vinyl collection which was only about 150 albums so the vinyl bug has been very fun. We mostly collect blues vinyl with forays into rock, folk, and classical mostly for albums from our youth.

Already eyeing a speaker upgrade to De Capo's and contemplating a table upgrade but to what i don't know. Really like the VPI lower end tables, thought about SOTA and really wonder it a Thorens TD 125 or TD 126 is worth the investment for that vintage sound.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 20’ × 12’  Medium
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • Decware Mini Torii
    4 watt int amp, 1940's Brimar 6v6g st tubes
    • Reference 3A De Capo
    Wow what a huge change. Better bass and more dynamics at low volume but the sound is amazing
    • VPI Industries HW-19 mkIV
    I scored this off of Ebay with the heavy platter. Mint, not even dusting scuffs on the cover and the seller knew how to pack a TT
    • Hagerman Cornet II
    Another great sounding tube phono stage Competing with the Seduction tough one to decide
    • Emotiva ERC-4 CDP
    Bought this when the MH CDP died.  Bought for its heavy duty construction and the built in DAC.  Now used as a transport
    • MHDT Stockholm V2
    Bought this after using the ext DAC in the Emotiva for a few moths, Got a great deal on a used one and wow so musical, fluid, increased base
    • Google Chromecast Audio

    went with a spare Macbook  better sound via the Eitr and MHDT


    Took a plunge into streaming after tiring of keeping my Mac tuners going.  Listein exclusively to public and community radio. WWOZ, KUNC, KOVO, KCSN, WHFB as well as internet stations.

    Cheap and easy streaming
    • Jelco SA250-st
    nice tonearm
    • shure V15VxMR
    This came with the first TT I bought used. Liked the sound not as warm as the Grado, but the stylus got twisted so in storage for the meantime. Thank Goodness for the Jico stylus this is back in play and sounding good.

    Not letting go of this.
    • Kimber 8PR
    I got rid of a pair of lesser monster cables and got 2 20 foot runs of this used. I have my speakers bi-wired with the 8PR in a 3/5 congiuration.
    • Primaluna Prologue II
    Moved from the stock KT88's to New Sensor Mullard EL34, have a spare set of SED EL34's. Started the NOS tube rolling addiction, good thing i'm cheap. Have RCA Cleartop 12au7 in the drivers and IEC Mullard 7025's in the preamp section love that warm but solid sound.
    • McIntosh MR-67
    Got a good deal on this, hope to send it to DeWick for a good going over but it just sounds so nice
    • Bottlehead Seduction
    Bought this used w/ CS4 and Auricaps. What a great sweet sound, wonderful with blues.
    • Wright Sound WPP200c
    Very nice phono stage
    • Music Hall CD 25.2
    Happy with how this sounds
    • Various Blue Jean, MAC, Audioquest
    just added a pair of MAC Ultra Silver cables btw my Mcintosh MR67 and my Amp. Wow, really punched up the sound, brighter, much more alive
    • Triangle Comete
    Just got these big difference from the BW's. More musical.
    • Grado Gold
    Love the sound, especially with blues. Yes there is a bit of a hum but its low. No Hum issues now since i switched to the Seduction phono stage. Sounds even better
    • B&W DM-602 s3
    Put these on DIY stands, sounds great but these are the first things i seriously upgrade
    • Parasound Zphono
    Sold the PrimaLuna onboard phono stage when i got this. It sounded a bit better, more gain.
    • Ortofon OM-20 Super
    Bought this used but not played cart. Just hooked it up cleaner, crisper than the Grado but I really like the warm Grado sound. It is much easier to align than the Grado.
    • Harman Kardon TU-9600
    Another great Audiogon deal. We do listen to the radio quite a bit so this may get upgraded but what to?
    • Schitt Eitr
    Really improves the sound of the MHDT DAC over the built in USB, bigger sound stage deeper bass with the Eitr added, with a mac you need to activate the Audio Midi app in utilities

Comments 10

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Single ended is just mesmerizing isn't it.

I have the "proper" speakers for it but I also use it from time to time on my Magnepan 3.6's and, right now as i type, my SF Guarneri Homages.

I think you will love it even more when you get your Grommes. Enjoy.

onemug

Owner
System edited: Went to low watt single ended and loving it. Waiting on a Grommes PHI-26 for my other system.

grinnell

Owner
Settled on an upgraded Cornet II i picked up off AA. Has the the best of the Seduction and the Wright. Sold the Wright, it was great on guitar and classical but too tubey for vocals in my system

grinnell

Owner
System edited: Trying out Tube Phono Stages

grinnell

Owner
Got the Wright WPP200x Phono, different than the Seduction, much more tubey but great for classical not so great for rock.

still playing with it

grinnell

Owner
I got a Jico stylus for the Shure and after realigning it getting some amazing sound. Well worth the 130$$$

grinnell

Owner
System edited: Just got a pair of Reference 3A De Capos and what a huge change. The soundstage is more natural, the bass better and such a sweet sound even at low volume.

grinnell

Nice. I heard the DeCapos on a Cayin A-50T and they sounded unreal. I just ordered an A-88T to pair with my NHT C3's. Basically, making the jump from SS to tube. You should post some more pics of your system.

jazzcrooner12

Certainly a lot too be said for the magic of tubes. Sounds like you have put together a solid and smart system. The joy of music without breaking the bank. That you and your wife can enjoy it together, makes for twice the fun and half the worry perhaps should the upgrade bug ever hit. Happy listening.

glenfihi

My friend

Do some research with this in google:

"Idler Wheel Turntables"

Then, find you a Idler Wheel Turntable and ENJOY!!!!!!!

studio1

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