Does this exist: Tube Amp with HDMI inputs?

[GTaudiophile]

I find that I prefer the warmth and depth of sound that only "old-school" tube amps can produce.

Are there modern variations that feature HDMI inputs/outputs for Blu-Ray, HTPC, HDTV, etc.?

I would be looking for one for a 2.0-2.1 solution.

 

[Modelworks]

Not that I am aware of. The closest thing would be an audio processor that splits the HDMI audio into separate streams that you can then connect to a tube amp.

Tube audio amps are getting ridiculous in price, I can't imagine one with HDMI being cheap if it were done. Such simple amps to build , but I guess people don't build amps much anymore and that makes them rare and cost more.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Not that I am aware of. The closest thing would be an audio processor that splits the HDMI audio into separate streams that you can then connect to a tube amp.

Tube audio amps are getting ridiculous in price, I can't imagine one with HDMI being cheap if it were done. Such simple amps to build , but I guess people don't build amps much anymore and that makes them rare and cost more.

Can you recommend any tube amps? Do they exist for less than $1k?

 

[EvilYoda]

Yeah, sounds like you'll need a separate pre to do the work and then a tube amp. Plenty of tube amps to find under $1K, just depends on new/used and what type of topology you're interested in.

 

[ManBearPig]

Can anyone tell me a little about them? I see a lot of people who prefer tube amps and I dunno why.

 

[NutBucket]

Can you recommend any tube amps? Do they exist for less than $1k?

Are you looking for monoblocks, multi-channel? New, used, etc? There are lots of Chinese amps on the market now that are supposedly quite good. Besides, I believe the only countries still making tubes are China and Russia.

 

[Tiamat]

The short answer is no, not in a single "box" e.g. integrated amplifier or receiver. The easiest solution would be to have a solid state preamp/processor and then a tube amplifier. The cost of the tube amplifier has a lot to do with the efficiency of the speakers, the distance your listening position is from the speakers, the average and peak loudness you enjoy, and the impedence profile of the speakers (tube amps for headphones are much more accessible price-wise). Some speakers do not sound good with tube amps, namely speakers who's impedence profile increases in the high frequencies (they will sound bright on a tube amp). Many speakers have a tough combination of low impedence magnitude and large phase angle at the lower frequencies (<120hz) which can cause trouble for the tubes in terms of requiring much more than the tubes can offer in power.

 

[Tiamat]

Can anyone tell me a little about them? I see a lot of people who prefer tube amps and I dunno why.

with the right combination of speaker and amp, all other things equal (room setup, etc.), the tube amp tends to emphasize even-order harmonic distortions over odd-order harmonic distortions which tend to be more pleasing to the ear, and grant a "warm" or texture to the sound quality.

There are additional differences that cause a tube amp to have its "tube sound quality".

Tube amps aren't a panacea though, a terrible speaker will sound terrible regardless if driven with solid state or tubes.

Think of tube amplification as one of the last steps in fine tuning your system. Correct speaker choice, placement, room setup, room acoustics, being the first steps.

 

[SithSolo1]

Here is a nice entry level tube amp for $200. Not gobs of power but should be fine for a small/medium room.

http://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_a1

Jolida also makes nice tube amps but the prices vary, I'd check audiogon.com for used ones.

http://www.jolida.com/product

 

[ManBearPig]

with the right combination of speaker and amp, all other things equal (room setup, etc.), the tube amp tends to emphasize even-order harmonic distortions over odd-order harmonic distortions which tend to be more pleasing to the ear, and grant a "warm" or texture to the sound quality.

There are additional differences that cause a tube amp to have its "tube sound quality".

Tube amps aren't a panacea though, a terrible speaker will sound terrible regardless if driven with solid state or tubes.

Think of tube amplification as one of the last steps in fine tuning your system. Correct speaker choice, placement, room setup, room acoustics, being the first steps.

Ah, thanks for the info. I've heard that they are warmer as well. Are they retro or something? From what I understand people are going back to them or something.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I guess what I would do is connect all my HDMI components (HDTV, HTPC) to a Marantz NR1402 and then output to a tube-amp connected to a 2.0 or 2.1 system. As for speakers, I have not made a decision, but for the sake of an example, let's say the tube amp is connected to a pair of Dynaudio Excite X32s or Focus 140s.

 

[EvilYoda]

Good to see another Dyn fan here...my Confidence 1's sounded great when paired with tubes, even my vintage Fisher 500c. So silky smooooth.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Good to see another Dyn fan here...my Confidence 1's sounded great when paired with tubes, even my vintage Fisher 500c. So silky smooooth.

Do you think the hypothetical setup I mention above would be a good one?

Just need to find a specific tube amp that can drive the Dyns appropriately.

 

[EvilYoda]

I don't know how good it would be...but it'll work, sure. Tube amps aren't too hard to match up, just be careful since Dyns need a good amount of power and their low sensitivity and 4ohm impedance don't always play nice.

Do you have any components currently? Depending on your needs, I would look at a standalone DAC, but that's just me.

 

[Anarchist420]

I find that I prefer the warmth and depth of sound that only "old-school" tube amps can produce.

Are there modern variations that feature HDMI inputs/outputs for Blu-Ray, HTPC, HDTV, etc.?

I would be looking for one for a 2.0-2.1 solution.

If you're just going with 2 channels, then HDMI isn't necessary. Here's something I've always wanted, but it is a little > $1k:

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3370-peachtree-nova.aspx

be sure to get an extended warranty in case of an accident or if it breaks down for some reason. I think crutchfield also has these. There is a cheaper peachtree like this, but it's only 50W IIRC, and the circuitry may not be as beefy.

 

[GTaudiophile]

No, I have no components at the moment.

My plan is to eventually find a store here in the DC area where I can audition some things. I need to find the sound I want before I can do anything. This all of course assumes I am still employed next year...

 

[NutBucket]

I don't know how good it would be...but it'll work, sure. Tube amps aren't too hard to match up, just be careful since Dyns need a good amount of power and their low sensitivity and 4ohm impedance don't always play nice.

Was going to mention this. Tube amps generally produce less power. In the old days, speakers were far more efficient than they are today. That, and mismatched impedance will make the output transformers very unhappy.

Just took a quick glance; my Pioneer receiver has provisions for 8 & 16 ohm speakers, McIntosh monoblocks handle 4, 8 & 16 ohm speakers.

 

[piasabird]

Try poking around on this website they make HTPC cases and Tube Amps.

http://www.shop.perfecthometheater....play-right-button-Silver-HTPC-M10-ND-rb-S.htm

I came assross this website from the missing remote website. They have a lot of techical info.

http://www.missingremote.com/?option=com_smf&Itemid=198&topic=2717.msg20220

I saw this amplifier but I dont know much about it. I dont know if it is designed to be plugged into a motherboard or what.

This is a Wesena case??
http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.com/Stereo-Tube-Amplifier-Amp-TA007.htm

 

[SithSolo1]

for entry level audiophile tube amps near the top of your budget look at models from Naim, Primaluna, and Cary Audio

 

[EvilYoda]

As someone mentioned, if you're okay with not absolutely having to have HDMI, the Peachtree series of products are a great place to look. They've been around long enough that they'll pop up on eBay and Audiogon too. Furthermore, some of the other companies (I think a few have been linked to) to look at regarding price-point would be Cayin, Vincent, Rogue, Jolida, PrimaLuna...and the list goes on.

 

[skriefal]

Are you looking for monoblocks, multi-channel? New, used, etc? There are lots of Chinese amps on the market now that are supposedly quite good. Besides, I believe the only countries still making tubes are China and Russia.

And Slovakia (JJ).

There's plenty of the smaller pre-amp tubes still available as used or NOS -- often at reasonable prices. The power tubes don't last as long, though... and that's where you'll probably need to look at the new-production options.

 

[GTaudiophile]

As I said before, the desire would be to hook up my HDTV, BR player, and HTPC via HDMI to a standard receiver (Marantz maybe) and then have this connect to a tube amp to "open up" the sound a bit before hitting the speakers.

 

[skriefal]

That's what I've done. The tube amp is connected to the pre-outs on my Onkyo receiver, and I have a speaker/amp switch that can be used to select whether the speakers are connected to the receiver's built-in amp channels or to the tube amp.

 

[GTaudiophile]

That's what I've done. The tube amp is connected to the pre-outs on my Onkyo receiver, and I have a speaker/amp switch that can be used to select whether the speakers are connected to the receiver's built-in amp channels or to the tube amp.

And? How would you compare the sound?

 

[Fallen Kell]

As stated already. If you want to use tube amps for your speakers and want to play back audio from an HDMI connected device, you simply need to get a A/V preprocessor (or pre-amp) which supports HDMI and has pre-outs. This is otherwise known as "separates" as you have separate amplifiers from the preprocessor, unlike what is in a "receiver" which has both the processing and amplifier solution built into the one unit. Some higher end receivers may also have pre-outs for the audio in case you wish to upgrade to better amplifiers.