Tube integrated

[uw69]

Looking for a nice tube integrated to go with my X-ls encores for an office system. Near field listening only. budget is under $1000, and a remote would be nice but not required. Thanks

[droht]

Looking for a nice tube integrated to go with my X-ls encores for an office system. Near field listening only. budget is under $1000, and a remote would be nice but not required. Thanks

If you are up for used this Melody Sp9 looks sweet for $850 + shipping. No remote though.



Plenty of others options in that price range as well.


If you want to go new I think the Xindak stuff that mls plans to distribute looks interesting. LINK

[uw69]

I was hope MLS would post more about his new line of tube equipment. Would 12 w per channel be enough to power the X-ls's?

That SP9 is something I've been looking at....pretty nice looking. I would live to see one in piano black!

[bunnyma357]

I'd also suggest looking at used modern tube integrateds, you get a lot for the money, they've usually been babied, and you'll often get a set or two of different tubes for tube rolling.

For the x-ls's I think 12 wpc would be OK for nearfield, but I would probably want more power to get better bass control. I'm running my x-ls's with an under $500 Yaqin MC-10L that gives 50 wpc (probably more like 40 wpc clean) and that is a very nice combination.

If were buying today, now that I'm used to tubes I'd be looking at used ones on Audiogon.

Jim C

[uw69]

Are you using the stock tubes or have you replaced them?

[bunnyma357]

Are you using the stock tubes or have you replaced them?

I replaced them, the pre-amp tubes (Russian Vokshod 6N1P-EV) made a big improvement, the power (Groove Tube EL-34M) tubes not so much. Preamp tubes were $2 ea. Power tubes were $30 ea.

As nice as the Yaqin is for the price, I also have an Onix/Melody SP3/8 driving my Mini's and I think it is a better amp if you can find it used. The only real drawbacks are there are only 2 inputs, and the more popular tube complement means higher prices, but much greater selection.

I also saw the Xindak line at RMAF, and they looked really nice, but I didn't get a chance to really listen to them.

Before you decide I'd also do some research on sites with a lot of varied tube opinions like Audiocircle and Audio Asylum. Like I said if I bought now, I'd be looking through the various classifieds and on Audiogon for someone upgrading.

Jim C

[uw69]

The melody line does get some great reviews. I appreciate the advice. I'll continue to look at audiogon.

[the7comeback7kid]

I just got an sp3 and it's phenominal. Not bad pricing either.

[uw69]

What speakers are you using your SP3 with? Stock tubes?