Your neighbors called. They like your music.
Really pretty. That's a lot of triode power.
I brushed up on tube amps last night, not sure I'm ready to take the jump.
I think the cheapest way into tube amps is probably a console pull. Magnavox console amps are popular in particular.Originally Posted by cradeldorf
Audio_by_Goodwill
Michigan, USA
Hmm never thought of that, you are saying find an old magnavox console and just yank the amp/tuner part out and run that out in the open? providing it has tubes and isn't SS.
Many of them have amps that are separate from the tuner. People modify them all the time to be stand alone. Basically you need to jump a couple of contacts to get it to turn on, since that's normally in the tunner that is no longer connected. People usually install a switch, and add biding posts........ and change caps like you might have to do on any old tube amp. Many people insist that some balance circuit needs to be modified, too....... not sure why.
If you find something called a "Concert Grand" re-sell that one whole......... that's the Holy Grail for many Magnavox Console affeciandos.
Audio_by_Goodwill
Michigan, USA
Aren't those console amps under powered, and will only power only the most efficient small speakers ? In the consoles the speakers usually found in them aren't they usually 10" or smaller full ranger's ? And if your trying to drive large Altecs,subs,2 pair etc, be an issue with lack of power especially in the low frequencies ? Dunno ? Never had one of those old Magnavox's.
I think that depends a LOT on the kind of music you listen to and your listening preferences. Take something like Pano's A5's or similar large format system that are particularly sensitive and a source like vintage big band or jazz, a few good watts can be hugely satisfying, and as far as some folks ever need to go with a system.
There is always that one compromise in hifi that can only be appreciated on an individual basis, that is when a component does "what it does" so well that the caveats or shortcomings become irrelevant to the listener. I've been there, and absolutely respect each individual listener's ability to choose his own compromises.
The drivers depend on the console. The amp I plan on using was driving a 12" woofer with 2 smaller speakers per channel. The other amp I have was driving a Magnavox 15" woofer with three other drivers. I don't think it's typical to be driving subs with any tube amp, is it? Our horns are effiecent, so I don't see a problem there...... of course I'm not running a horn with my amp at the moment, either.
Audio_by_Goodwill
Michigan, USA
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