Recommended Tube Starter System

[kajguy03]

Hi. I'd like to check out some decent vintage tube equipment for a reasonably small amount of $$$$. Any recommendations about what pieces to start out with?

[ProAc_Fan]

Chris why the urge for vintage tube gear? Is it the price factor? From personal experience unless you are technically inclined and can do your own work on tube gear you're probably better off buying new. A well functioning vintage tube amp or receiver costs as much if not more than a brand new tube amp. Then you get to worry just when it will require repairs or upgrades. What type of budget are you thinking about?

Mike

[benjamin]

Chris,

My first tube piece was a Fisher KX-100 and I was really happy with it. When i first started out I was looking around for an integrated piece for less than $500cdn. Most people laughed at me...but I persisted and picked up the Fisher for WAY less than $200 and it worked and looked fine.

[Thatch_Ear]

Getting a piece of vintage is really touch and go. I think my batting average for ready to go pieces is around 15%. Vintage is great and I recommend it, but either buy stuff that has been gone through and fixed or buy new. I like tube gear best, but for subs I use SS gear. Tube gear that is well made tends to be easier to listen to for long periods, I even sleep to good Baroque being played repetative with a tube system in my bedroom.
Not always baroque, but always tubes. It just sounds more natural, and who could afford a chamber orchestra to play while they slept? Yes, I am a ROYAL.

[yrly]

Sleep w/ tube gear running? I fell asleep listening to classical and when I awakened at around 4 in the morning it was quite toasty in there! :) Don't think I would be doing that again anytime soon. At least not until I have the AC up and running for the summer. Could be worse, some stuff like my circa 1936 Midwest radio with its 18 tubes will heat up a room like a furnace. Not to get too far off topic. My experience with vintage gear has been mixed. If its not recently serviced expect to do some work. I got 4 Masco tube amps at the flea market, after some relatively simple restoration work one works flawlessly. One has an oscillation that I have been unable to eliminate though I only did partial work on it (only got through replacing about half the caps), one looks like it should be good to do if I can find the power pinout, one is totally shot. I paid $20 for all 4. The other vintage piece I have is an old Electrohome VA-100Mk2 tube preamp. I bought it off ebay for some $28 because it was missing a few tubes. Expected to at least need to recap it, I brought it up on the variac and it is quieter than some modern gear! I would say its hit and miss, once it works properly, like even that old Midwest radio (which took me several months to restore) its all fine but expect to do some work to get it there if the work has not already been done.

In contrast you can buy a relatively cheap tube amp, like my Kailin EL84 that cost $285, pop it out of the box plug it in, hook some speakers up and start enjoying. No worries, no problems. Lot easier, a lot less messing around. Granted the vintage stuff still sounds great but it just is not always as hassle free.

[kajguy03]

Originally posted by ProAc_Fan
Chris why the urge for vintage tube gear? Is it the price factor? From personal experience unless you are technically inclined and can do your own work on tube gear you're probably better off buying new. A well functioning vintage tube amp or receiver costs as much if not more than a brand new tube amp. Then you get to worry just when it will require repairs or upgrades. What type of budget are you thinking about?

Mike

One of my friends is a top notch tech who can make it all work. He loves Dyanco....but I really don't care for the looks of it and would like to venture off in another direction. I see again and again what a warm sound tube equipment has and I'd like to experience it for myself.

[Kenny]

Hi I would highly reccomend the Eico HF-81, its a very simple point to point design with a great pre-amp section, its an integrated amp which means it has the pre-amp amplifier together in one box, verysimple design,god phono section,easy to get, inexpensive tubes, you can listen to it for hours and hours with no fatigue, I am in Canada but I think you should be able to pick up one for $150.00-$200.00 U.S. or maybe way less if found local, I also recomend the Eico ST-40 or St-70 if you want more power...I had an Eico,not Dynaco, ST-70 very effortless sound,have never heard theEico ST-40, but would probably be a sounding,little sweeter generally less watts equals sweeter sounding,I find thes amps great value for the money and listen to them frequenty...they are perfect for a secondary system if you find a higher priced/quality amplifier later on...see Eico FAQ on a google search for more info/pictures,I also use their HFT-90-FM tuner which surprises many people with its sound...Enjoy Your Music...Kenny