Altecs & tube amps......

[Russnohio]

I'll start by saying that I have zero experience with tube amplifiers.....I'm really not even aware of makes & model numbers, and have done no real research as of yet. I'm currently running my Altecs on a Sansui G-9000 receiver and have no complaints about it. The sound is fabulous........and the receivers amp section has power to spare, and while the big solid-state Sansui is a keeper-for-life.....I do want to experience something different one day for the sake of variety.

A while back I was talking to a local gentleman that powered his system with a Threshold amplifier. I cannot exactly remember the model......I THINK it was the Stasis 500S. Now, my questions here are not spurred on by THAT.....but what he said to me when I mentioned the speakers I'm running are Altec 19:

"Oh....you REALLY need to run speakers like those on tubes......I'm tellin' ya....."

Interesting, because I've heard that a zillion times over the years and still have not pursued it. I suppose I could have just ask this guy the questions I had.....but did not. I just nodded my head in agreement and moved on.
So..... Here is what I'm wondering:




Can a tube amp be used with a solid-state pre-amp?
Can a nice vintage tube amp be had for less than...say $700.00?
Are ALL tube amps low power as compared to solid state?
(If so, how can a 15 wpc tube amp possibly run better with my Altecs than my 160 wpc Sansui?...in other words...not clip if driven loudly?)
Are replacement vacuum tubes readily available for vintage amps?
Suggest some good makes........vintage vs. moderen?


I'd be happy to hear some thought & opinions......not ready to shop just yet....just want to know what fellow Altec users think, and would I really have a massive improvement in sound over my wondeful solid-state G-9000?

Just what is it about tubes anyway?


Much appreciated,
Russ

[SOOTSHE]

So..... Here is what I'm wondering:

Can a tube amp be used with a solid-state pre-amp?
Yes

Can a nice vintage tube amp be had for less than...say $700.00?
(???)

Are ALL tube amps low power as compared to solid state?
No...depending on your budget, as the high powered models are generally very expensive.

(If so, how can a 15 wpc tube amp possibly run better with my Altecs than my 160 wpc Sansui?...in other words...not clip if driven loudly?)
You must remember that your 19's are 99db efficient & are probably running on only a few watts anyway. That said, if you were to really crank them up then, yes, you may run out of steam & clip the amp. (Not good for the speakers)

Are replacement vacuum tubes readily available for vintage amps?
Yes, if you take some time to look around.

Suggest some good makes........vintage vs. moderen?
Conrad Johnson, Acoustic Research.


I'd be happy to hear some thought & opinions......not ready to shop just yet....just want to know what fellow Altec users think, and would I really have a massive improvement in sound over my wondeful solid-state G-9000?
With respect, the equipment we have always sounds the best, until we hear something better. The difference between SS & valve sound is very personal.....you may like it , you may not.

Just what is it about tubes anyway?
There will be all sorts of descriptions concerning "tube sound". On the positive side - Lifelike, smooth, midrange to die for. And on the negative - soft bottom end, soft top end. Remember that manufacturers these days can produce tube like sound from a SS amp & vice versa. My suggestion would be to try a few out & get a feel for the different flavours or listen to a few other systems to help train your ears to hear the differences.

It's all a steep learning curve! I'm on my umpteenth system now & am only just beginning to realise what I need to satisfy my listening needs!!

[Nipper]

Can a tube amp be used with a solid-state pre-amp?
Can a nice vintage tube amp be had for less than...say $700.00?
Are ALL tube amps low power as compared to solid state?
(If so, how can a 15 wpc tube amp possibly run better with my Altecs than my 160 wpc Sansui?...in other words...not clip if driven loudly?)
Are replacement vacuum tubes readily available for vintage amps?
Suggest some good makes........vintage vs. moderen?

The answers to your technical questions are easy...

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Generally but your Altecs do not need a lot of power. I really doubt you push them past 10 watts if that.
4. Yes. Different tubes will produce different results also.
5. McIntosh comes to mind but there are plenty of others.

The rest of your question opens up to endless discussion. Being a major Sansui fan and someone who has tried a lot of different amps over the years, I would bet you probably would not like the tube amp over your Sansui. But thats up to you to decide.

I would suggest trying one before you spend your money. Some dealers will loan you one for a test drive or find someone who has one and see if they might not give you an audition.

That is a great system you have there. Enjoy it!

[Old Guy]

(If so, how can a 15 wpc tube amp possibly run better with my Altecs than my 160 wpc Sansui?...in other words...not clip if driven loudly?)

Tube and SS amps clip quite differently.

SS amps tend to accent "odd order" harmonics. Tube amps tend to accent "even order". Without getting any more techie, even order harmonics sound less dissonant.

Guitar amps are dominated by tubes, because guitar players love to drive them into distortion to get the added overtones.

[RonSSS]

I'll start by saying that I have zero experience with tube amplifiers.....I'm really not even aware of makes & model numbers, and have done no real research as of yet. I'm currently running my Altecs on a Sansui G-9000 receiver and have no complaints about it. The sound is fabulous........and the receivers amp section has power to spare, and while the big solid-state Sansui is a keeper-for-life.....I do want to experience something different one day for the sake of variety.

A while back I was talking to a local gentleman that powered his system with a Threshold amplifier. I cannot exactly remember the model......I THINK it was the Stasis 500S. Now, my questions here are not spurred on by THAT.....but what he said to me when I mentioned the speakers I'm running are Altec 19:

"Oh....you REALLY need to run speakers like those on tubes......I'm tellin' ya....."

Interesting, because I've heard that a zillion times over the years and still have not pursued it. I suppose I could have just ask this guy the questions I had.....but did not. I just nodded my head in agreement and moved on.
So..... Here is what I'm wondering:





Much appreciated,
Russ

Can a tube amp be used with a solid-state pre-amp?
Of course.

Can a nice vintage tube amp be had for less than...say $700.00?
Yes, easily.

Are ALL tube amps low power as compared to solid state?
Generally. the more watts, the more dollars for tube amps.

(If so, how can a 15 wpc tube amp possibly run better with my Altecs than my 160 wpc Sansui?...in other words...not clip if driven loudly?)
15w would be the minimum I'd consider if you like to rock. Especially on materail with a lot of low end. 35w is just dandy!

Are replacement vacuum tubes readily available for vintage amps?
Pretty much. Either new or good vintage stuff.

Suggest some good makes........vintage vs. moderen?
I prefer good vintage. Heathkit made some really good ones. W1, W2, W5, W6, Harmon Kardon Citation I or II, Fisher integrateds, Scott integrated. Anything newer or new is going to cost a lot.


I'd be happy to hear some thought & opinions......not ready to shop just yet....just want to know what fellow Altec users think, and would I really have a massive improvement in sound over my wondeful solid-state G-9000?

Just what is it about tubes anyway?

Tube amps don't hard clip. They soft clip. So there is more aparrent useable power. And when they clip, you won't damage the speakers.

Where are you located?

[Russnohio]

I thank you all for your relies.

Good to know tube/solid-state can be used together. So then since my G-9000 has pre-amp/power amp connected/seperated switching and power amp/pre amp in/0ut jacks.........I could simply hook a tube amp of my choosing to the G-9000's "pre-amp IN/out" jacks, yes?

FWIW....the selector switch has notations for: 1 direct coupled...
2 capacitor coupled...

I've read that old Altec systems and loudspeakers in the 1940's & 1950's ........much older than my 1978 vintage model 19's.......were designed specifically with tube amplification in mind since solid state was still in the future.

Would it be fair to assume then that Altec engineers developing the model 19 system figured most users would power the speakers with modern era (for 1978) solid state amps? Not that it matters, but my G-9000 also happens to be 1978 vintage BTW.

Again, thanks very much guys!

Russ

[Russnohio]

Ron, I'm in Westlake Ohio.

Thanks for your info.....


Russ

[Nipper]

I could simply hook a tube amp of my choosing to the G-9000's "pre-amp IN/out" jacks, yes?

Absolutely.

[cradeldorf]

Let me just say what I know, My 16 watt Marantz ss receiver would damn near jump my house off it's foundation powering my 604's.

[Nipper]

let me just say what i know, my 16 watt marantz ss receiver would damn near jump my house off it's foundation powering my 604's.

Amen...... Its NOT about watts with your Altecs Russ, its about the quality of the first few.