Topic: Thoughts on antique soundlabs...

[Shawn]

I'm thinking of switching up my playback. I've been reading up on Antique Sound labs stuff and I'm highly intrigued. I'm thinking of getting either the AQ1003DT or the wave-25 mono blocks and their Line One Preamp.  Anyone have any experience with their gear and care to share some thoughts. What about other suggesstions in that same price range. Really at this point all I know for sure is that I want to go to tubes, and I'd really prefer something with subwoofer out and a remote control (I'm lazy).

[ehren]

the jolida stuff gets pretty good reviews. I've never had any of their all tube stuff but my 1501 has been great until recently. & yeears with only one problem, not bad.

[Tim]

[Frank in JC]

I'm thinking of switching up my playback. I've been reading up on Antique Sound labs stuff and I'm highly intrigued. I'm thinking of getting either the AQ1003DT or the wave-25 mono blocks and their Line One Preamp.  Anyone have any experience with their gear and care to share some thoughts. What about other suggesstions in that same price range. Really at this point all I know for sure is that I want to go to tubes, and I'd really prefer something with subwoofer out and a remote control (I'm lazy).

I think the AQ1003DT is pretty much the classic push-pull pentode, ultralinear circuit.  It would be a good introduction to tube amps.  I bought an ASL single-ended KT88 amp years ago and was impressed with the sound.  The build quality?  Well, the quality/mounting of parts and the soldering looked good, but the chassis?  Eh.  Keep in mind, however, that along with Chinese manufacturing, that's why their products are so competitively priced.

[Shawn]

it seems like any tube amp under $1500 is made in China

[EScott]

You could look at a Cary SLI80.  They pop up on Agon in the $1600 - 1800 range.

I owned one a few years ago. 

[Tim]

I'm thinking of switching up my playback. I've been reading up on Antique Sound labs stuff and I'm highly intrigued. I'm thinking of getting either the AQ1003DT or the wave-25 mono blocks and their Line One Preamp.  Anyone have any experience with their gear and care to share some thoughts. What about other suggesstions in that same price range. Really at this point all I know for sure is that I want to go to tubes, and I'd really prefer something with subwoofer out and a remote control (I'm lazy).

I think the AQ1003DT is pretty much the classic push-pull pentode, ultralinear circuit.  It would be a good introduction to tube amps.  I bought an ASL single-ended KT88 amp years ago and was impressed with the sound.  The build quality?  Well, the quality/mounting of parts and the soldering looked good, but the chassis?  Eh.  Keep in mind, however, that along with Chinese manufacturing, that's why their products are so competitively priced.

the build quality on my aq1003dt is quite good. Polished stainless steel body, ceramic tube sockets, it wieghs almost 50lbs and is built like a tank

[Frank in JC]

I'm thinking of switching up my playback. I've been reading up on Antique Sound labs stuff and I'm highly intrigued. I'm thinking of getting either the AQ1003DT or the wave-25 mono blocks and their Line One Preamp.  Anyone have any experience with their gear and care to share some thoughts. What about other suggesstions in that same price range. Really at this point all I know for sure is that I want to go to tubes, and I'd really prefer something with subwoofer out and a remote control (I'm lazy).

I think the AQ1003DT is pretty much the classic push-pull pentode, ultralinear circuit.  It would be a good introduction to tube amps.  I bought an ASL single-ended KT88 amp years ago and was impressed with the sound.  The build quality?  Well, the quality/mounting of parts and the soldering looked good, but the chassis?  Eh.  Keep in mind, however, that along with Chinese manufacturing, that's why their products are so competitively priced.

the build quality on my aq1003dt is quite good. Polished stainless steel body, ceramic tube sockets, it wieghs almost 50lbs and is built like a tank

I stand corrected!  My amp's chassis was obviously different, so either they're not all created equally or ASL has gotten better.  My experience is from 8 years ago, so I don't know what they're doing today.  Thanks.

[pigiron]

[snip]
...or the wave-25 mono blocks...
[snip]

I've got a pair of AV-20 monoblocks, but don't think that I'd recommend them to others.

One of them has a fairly loud 60Hz hum. After the usual tricks didn't work, I tore into the unit and quickly saw why the price is so (relatively) low. The company didn't even spring for a star washer on the grounding post (in fact, there were no washers), they routed the wires directly over the power supply circuits because that was the most direct path, the wires were so tight they couldn't be rerouted even a quarter inch, etc.

[Tim]

I'm thinking of switching up my playback. I've been reading up on Antique Sound labs stuff and I'm highly intrigued. I'm thinking of getting either the AQ1003DT or the wave-25 mono blocks and their Line One Preamp.  Anyone have any experience with their gear and care to share some thoughts. What about other suggesstions in that same price range. Really at this point all I know for sure is that I want to go to tubes, and I'd really prefer something with subwoofer out and a remote control (I'm lazy).

I think the AQ1003DT is pretty much the classic push-pull pentode, ultralinear circuit.  It would be a good introduction to tube amps.  I bought an ASL single-ended KT88 amp years ago and was impressed with the sound.  The build quality?  Well, the quality/mounting of parts and the soldering looked good, but the chassis?  Eh.  Keep in mind, however, that along with Chinese manufacturing, that's why their products are so competitively priced.

the build quality on my aq1003dt is quite good. Polished stainless steel body, ceramic tube sockets, it wieghs almost 50lbs and is built like a tank

I stand corrected!  My amp's chassis was obviously different, so either they're not all created equally or ASL has gotten better.  My experience is from 8 years ago, so I don't know what they're doing today.  Thanks.

sorry, didn't mean to be beligerent

I just wanted to be on the record with my experience.

fwiw Shawn, I've poked around all of the usual audio sites and don't think I've seen a bad review of my amp. I have no idea about their other gear though

If you can swing the Cary I bet that would rip

[carlbeck]

You could look at a Cary SLI80.  They pop up on Agon in the $1600 - 1800 range.

I owned one a few years ago. 

I have one I am selling on Agon for $1750, I would sell it to a member here at a better price if your interested.

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?intatube&1204737763

[Nick's Picks]

I was just going to pimp Carl's gear (and mom, wife, sister..etc) as well.

mono blocks are the way to go.
dedicated power supplies, more current, cooler looking.