Dear fellow enthusiasts,
I hope you are all doing well.
I have recently developed a deep fascination with tube-based amplifiers, a journey that began when I acquired my first pair of Audio Note speakers. I was absolutely astonished by their natural and highly musical presentation, which conveyed a remarkable sense of intimacy and realism—qualities that greatly appeal to me as a self-proclaimed romantic when it comes to music reproduction.
At present, I am using my father’s old Sansui AU-9500. It has been serviced and remains in excellent working condition. I must admit that I find its sound signature to be rather warm, possessing certain characteristics reminiscent of tube-based amplification.
Over the past few months, I have dedicated considerable time to researching various tube types and amplifier topologies, such as single-ended triode (SET) and push-pull designs. I have also had the opportunity to audition a variety of tube amplifiers at local dealers, which has been a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening experience.
I am particularly interested in acquiring a single-ended amplifier. I have a strong appreciation for the 300B tube, which is undoubtedly one of the most iconic choices. However, some of the 300B amplifiers I have auditioned exhibited a level of bass presence that, while impressive, was slightly beyond my preference—I tend to favor a more delicate and intimate musical presentation.
I have also explored the 211 tube, which I encountered due to its use in high-end designs from esteemed manufacturers such as Kondo, Audio Note, and Lamm. I understand that its greater power output allows for increased flexibility with speaker matching. While I have found some 211 amplifiers to be highly transparent, they often lean toward a neutral and analytical sound signature, which is not my preferred presentation.
This led me to discover the 45 tube, which, unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to hear in person. However, based on my research, it seems to align closely with what I am seeking—offering a magical and intimate sense of "liveness" along with a beautifully detailed soundstage, all while avoiding an overly neutral character. The primary drawback, of course, is its limited power output of only 2W per channel, which imposes certain speaker constraints.
I then came across the rare VT-52 tube, often referred to as the "super 45." I would be most grateful if anyone with experience using this tube could share their insights regarding its sonic characteristics and performance. For your information I'm specifically looking at the Yamamoto Sound Craft A-010 VT-52.
For reference, here are some details about my setup and listening preferences:
Best regards.
I hope you are all doing well.
I have recently developed a deep fascination with tube-based amplifiers, a journey that began when I acquired my first pair of Audio Note speakers. I was absolutely astonished by their natural and highly musical presentation, which conveyed a remarkable sense of intimacy and realism—qualities that greatly appeal to me as a self-proclaimed romantic when it comes to music reproduction.
At present, I am using my father’s old Sansui AU-9500. It has been serviced and remains in excellent working condition. I must admit that I find its sound signature to be rather warm, possessing certain characteristics reminiscent of tube-based amplification.
Over the past few months, I have dedicated considerable time to researching various tube types and amplifier topologies, such as single-ended triode (SET) and push-pull designs. I have also had the opportunity to audition a variety of tube amplifiers at local dealers, which has been a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening experience.
I am particularly interested in acquiring a single-ended amplifier. I have a strong appreciation for the 300B tube, which is undoubtedly one of the most iconic choices. However, some of the 300B amplifiers I have auditioned exhibited a level of bass presence that, while impressive, was slightly beyond my preference—I tend to favor a more delicate and intimate musical presentation.
I have also explored the 211 tube, which I encountered due to its use in high-end designs from esteemed manufacturers such as Kondo, Audio Note, and Lamm. I understand that its greater power output allows for increased flexibility with speaker matching. While I have found some 211 amplifiers to be highly transparent, they often lean toward a neutral and analytical sound signature, which is not my preferred presentation.
This led me to discover the 45 tube, which, unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to hear in person. However, based on my research, it seems to align closely with what I am seeking—offering a magical and intimate sense of "liveness" along with a beautifully detailed soundstage, all while avoiding an overly neutral character. The primary drawback, of course, is its limited power output of only 2W per channel, which imposes certain speaker constraints.
I then came across the rare VT-52 tube, often referred to as the "super 45." I would be most grateful if anyone with experience using this tube could share their insights regarding its sonic characteristics and performance. For your information I'm specifically looking at the Yamamoto Sound Craft A-010 VT-52.
For reference, here are some details about my setup and listening preferences:
- My listening room is approximately 25 square meters with high ceilings (2.7m).
- I primarily listen to jazz (ranging from solo and trio performances to larger ensembles) and classical music (from solo instrumental works to full orchestral compositions).
- If there is any additional information that would be helpful for my inquiry, please let me know.
Best regards.
