Interesting article on budget, tube based audiophile system.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/859141.asp?0dm=B11LT

Interesting for a mainstream publication like MSN. The whole system is just under 1 k.


Stephen

 

Very Interesting!

 

Thanks for posting this article. Does anyone have/use the Wave amps mentioned in the article? I'm thinking about getting some new equipment and haven't decided whether to go for the tube sound. I do have to be careful about cost but the more I read and learn on this forum the more I want to play around with the hardware than I have in the past. Any comments about the suggestions for capacitors mentioned in this article? I need to replace some caps in a couple old radios. Good advice?

 

Anybody have a link for these tube amps?

 

Another inexpensive tube amp that I'm using and really like is the $499 Zen amp from Decware. It's a SET and only puts out a watt or two, but it sounds absolutely lovely. Their website is filled with lots of good info for tube newbies. Check out www.decware.com

Ray

 

Thanks for posting this story! FUN! This writer is our pal, he's done several good articles for MSNBC.

 

I am seriously considering buying the preamp, amps, Speakers (but the next model up from the Atom) and doing the capacitor change and seeing what my vinyl sounds like thru it.

 

Great article. It goes to show that sometimes the more modest your budget it is, the more you will be happy with your system.

 

i also wonder how much better the sound woulf be if you replaced the tubes it comes with and put in telefunkens? Do I hear "the breath of life"..............................

 

There's the theory that new gear is designed and "voiced" with current tubes, so vintage tubes might not be so good. Depends on the tube, gear, and the listener's tastes I guess. Vintage tubes can be soooooo darn pricey too, defeating the whole budget audio idea.
Dan C

 

Hi,

My wife was casually mentioning this exact point the other day while she was chasing me around the kitchen with an iron skillet!

-Jeffrey

 

Hey Jeff, as long as she doesnt wack the tubes.......you will heal!!

PS....a friend of mines wife threw his Mcintosh 1964 tube receiever out of the window. Only time in 20 years I saw the guy cry.....and that includes his fathers funeral!!

 

What an idiotic thing your friend's wife has done, Mikey.

 

Speaking of hardware, my sister tried using my DVD player and she didn't like it one bit. She says it is too "high tech" for her.

 

Hi Gary,

You best be talking about your McIntosh!

-Jeffrey

 

Hi Mikey,

You're right, I'll heal! I'm feeling better already after reading about the alternative.

-Jeffrey

 

This is true. Perhaps it is not a matter of being modest but something you don't pay attention to its sound.

There is somewhere an analogy with stereos, trophy wives and girls-next-door.

 

How hard is it too install Auricaps? I don't think I even know what a soldering iron is.

 

Its only a couple of them to do. its not a big deal.

As soon as My bonus comes in Feb, I'm picking up this whole 1,000 kit, but with the better speakers...their next model up from the Atom.

 

Looking forward to hearing how it sounds. Anyone know which preamp the article refers to? I can't seem to find the one the author is talking about at the Antique Sound preamp page, http://www.divertech.com/antiquesl.html#PRE .

 

I couldn't find it either. I just found the amp.

 

Im almost positive they mean the "Mini Phono Preamp" for 249$. Its the only one that seems to match.

 

Isn't that just for a record player though? The one he mentions in his article has three inputs.