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Knut
301
Aug 20, 2018
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This or some other tube amp?
i have a an NFB11 and would run a tube amp through its DAC. Phones include hifiman HE4xx, monoprice M1060, sennheiser HD6XX, Emu teak. I‘m pretty happy with my setup but know there is more though whether my 56 year old ears will appreciate nuances, I’m not so sure.
I have ave a wide range of music I listen to from classical to hip hop but tend towards rock.
id like to explore balanced at some point bub I know that’s a revamp of most of my gear -I’d need a balanced DAC first right? Then amp and all new cables.
Id like to keep a tube amp under $1000 including rolling. I don’t want to solder mods.
Any recommendations?
$200 seems like a low cost of entry here but not sure it would serve me in the long run.
Should I just upgrade my cans next?
unfortunately I don’t live in a place where I can easily go listen to gear
Aug 20, 2018
mahee
337
Aug 20, 2018
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KnutThis amp is ideal for HD6XX. Also this is has lot of power for your planars HE4XX and M1060. Emu teak is easy to drive, so you may not have much play on the volume knob.
This is a great tube amp at its price(Woo audio WA3 or WA2 will have better tone, but they are pricey). Be sure to replace the stock tubes with some nice ones(Tung Sol 7236, TungSol US made 6SN7 is what i use), its gonna run silent and sound great.
A nice quote i found online which i found to be true "I'll take a decent amplifier with the finest tubes any day over the finest amplifier with mediocre tubes."
Aug 20, 2018
Knut
301
Aug 20, 2018
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maheeThank you very much mahee!!
so you are saying go for it and forget balanced?
Aug 20, 2018
mahee
337
Aug 20, 2018
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KnutNFB11 sounds like a good solid state amp does. 336SE offers good complimenting sound, and you already have the headphones that go well with 336SE. So i would recommend 336SE over going hunting for a balanced amp. Moreover tubes are just fun to look at and show off on the desk
However, going balanced, you will have to spend a lot more for a balanced tube amp, not to mention additional cables. Balanced solid state can be had at $350 either a LCX(mid ground between solid state and tube sound) and the THX789 (don't know about it). You also dont need a balanced DAC to get the best out of LCX; it sounds identical either from SE or Balanced inputs. So if you are set on going balanced sometime in future, it is doable with out a big hole in the wallet. Just weigh your preferences and go with what you feel makes sense. Its all fun either way!
Aug 20, 2018
NateB
168
Aug 22, 2018
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maheeYour quote is completely correct, mahee! Good tubes can go far with this tube amp. Also, I would include the Woo WA 6 As another recommendatio. Mullard also makes a good power tube, as does RCA and a few more companies. Tung-Sol does make good preamp tubes along with National Union, and RCA among others.
Aug 22, 2018
HIFI778
652
Aug 23, 2018
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maheeWhat is the maximum input power required? DO you know? It is not shown at the back of the AMP like all other amp do...
Aug 23, 2018
mahee
337
Aug 23, 2018
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HIFI778Not sure. Cant find it online as well
Aug 23, 2018
NateB
168
Aug 24, 2018
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HIFI778This seems to be a recurring question on Massdrop. I do not know, HIFI778.
Aug 24, 2018
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