Topic: Opinions for playback system

[Evil Taper]

I guess that's a pretty tough call to make for myself.  To me no studio album can sound better than that big warm analog sound of the 70s.  I'm GUESSING that having a tubed sound system is going to simulate an analog sound from anything played through it correct?  When I've hooked my cd player up to my cheapo Behringer analog pre I didn't really like the sound it had because it blew the bass way out of proportion.  Is that not even in the same ballpark as a nice analog home stereo setup?  Will it produce a liquidlike sound from non analog recordings?

[EScott]

Tubes are typically don't put out as much power as solid state, so depending on your room size and desired volume levels, you may want to consider this.  Also, tubes tend to have a bloated low end at high volume levels.  You are supposedly able to remedy this with the Jr's by filling the bass vents - I have not tried it yet. 

All those points aside, the highs and mids of a tube set-up can be absolutely incredible.

[Nick's Picks]

the lows can to....w/the right setup.
for example, I find the sound of Manley gear not lacking in any bass at all. 

yes...I run VR4s, which are HUGE, w/my Sony 3000es.  Though, its not quite enough power..but close.
other amps would drive them better, i'm sure. 

My string pulling will always be available for TS.com members.
also, I can get good deals on Manley stuff as well.  and let me tell ya, the two are pure synergy.  Look up that word in the dictionary, it will say " see stingray > vr2"

[Evil Taper]

Ok so for a less than large room should you go for the VR2s, VR4jrs or VR4s?  Lets say for a large bedroom or small den type of environment.  To get a decent setup I'm assuming I should put together around $4000 correct (speakers, cables and power system)?  Sorry for asking so many questions but this audiophile type gear is foreign to me.  It's not like you can go out and test this type of stuff in stores...heck you're lucky if any place has nice consumer grade stuff even.

[Nick's Picks]

My room is 17'w x 23'deep x 7' high.
the VR2s worked great in my room..the VR4s REALLY work well.
the jr's would also do the trick w/o any trouble, i'm sure.

the vr2 and 4jr are about the same size, and will work in a smaller room too.  both output a shitload of dynamics and can have some serious SLAM.

$4k can go a long way....

[scervin]

Ok so for a less than large room should you go for the VR2s, VR4jrs or VR4s?  Lets say for a large bedroom or small den type of environment.  To get a decent setup I'm assuming I should put together around $4000 correct (speakers, cables and power system)?  Sorry for asking so many questions but this audiophile type gear is foreign to me.  It's not like you can go out and test this type of stuff in stores...heck you're lucky if any place has nice consumer grade stuff even.

There should be no problem in going to listen to this stuff.  Depending on your area, you should find a couple stores within an hour or so drive that carry the "good stuff".  Before spending $4000 I would hope you would at least look at all your options and listen to as much as you can.  You can listen to us all day on how this stuff sounds, but your ears matter most.

I was looking into getting a VR2 multichannel setup, but have decided that I want power and processing first.  I'm a solid state guy looking at EAD Powermaster amps and the new Verastarr.  A Rowland Design amp would be my dream though.  Processing is looking like the Anthem D1, AVM-30, or maybe an Aragon Stage One.  I probably won't upgrade speakers until I move to a new house 6-8 years from now.  I want the next house to be my last, I hate moving!!

sc

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I'm GUESSING that having a tubed sound system is going to simulate an analog sound from anything played through it correct?  .... Will it produce a liquidlike sound from non analog recordings?

Not always.  I had a CJ MV50 with EL34s and that was very warm.  It did not simulate an analog sound or repair a poor digital source.  But it did produce a very warm midrange and the sound was what you seem to be describing.

Next I had a CJ MF2300 which is a SS amp.  The CJ SS stuff is well known for it's warm characteristics compared to many other SS amps, even high end units, that sound brittle.  So you can get a nice warm sound from SS even if it isn't "tubey".

Now I have a CJ Premier 11A with 6550s.  I wanted a return to a more tubey sound.  I was initially diappointed.  The Premier 11A is everybit as precise and clear as the MF2300.  When run at moderate levels, in the linear range where a tube amp and solid state amp should theoreticallty sound the same, it sounded much close to the SS MF2300 than the tubed MV50.  So in addition to the topology of the amplifier circuitry, there is some influence with the type of tubes used as well.  I'm currently swapping between svetlana 6550 and Tung Sol 6550 reisues.  To my ears, the TS6550s sound a little more analytical (less tubey) than the Svets.

Of course now I am not disappointed because the balance between clarity of SS and tubey warmth and goodness is just right in the 11A.  But no matter how good it is, a bad digital source will still sound like crap.  Any amp or pre-amp that masks what is bad in a poor digital recording is just going to mask what a good digital source might reveal.

[Nick's Picks]

indeed...
if you are after a "great analog sound" , then its the DAC you want to be investing some research in.

[hzgone]

ok i'm thinking about picking up the Antique Sound Labs AQ-1001DT Integrated Tube Amp in the yard sale wondering if this would go well with the VR2's

[Nick's Picks]

i'm sure it would
they are fairly efficent speakers.  89db I believe..but not sure.
vonschweikert.com should have the specs.

sweet setup, that will be!!

[hzgone]

or do i save my money and hold out for the manly stingray

[carlbeck]

Nick would say Stingray, but I would be curious to hear the ASL personally.

[Tim]

I love my ASL, I'd like to put it head to head with the stingray but I have NO complaints about my amp....

[Nick's Picks]

the stingray looks as good as it sounds.

the ASL is cool too..but I think the stingray is so disticnt.  it looks like Harley Davidson built it.
MANLEY !!!

[F.O.Bean]

great thread, im thinking of getting some vr2's, but was wondering if a JVC RX-6000V would be anywhere NEAR enuf to push them

sorry folks, as much as i know about taping, i dont know much about playback

i saw a nice JVC+bose cube speaker deal 3-4 years ago and snatched it up