Stereo buffs?

I am a huge audio enthusiast, but I know next to nothing about tube amps. I would suggest checking out/posting in the audio hardware sections of the following forums:

AVS Forum - most technical
Digital theater Forum - my preferance
Home Theater Forum

I have purchased used gear on ebay and audiogon.com. To me this was the most effective way of getting high end componets at a much lower cost. However, I think that tube amps may be more fragile that solid state amps. A good place to look for used high end stuff that is from a reputable store is at jeffssoundvalues.com

Edit: Here is some general advice
If you are not completly set on tube's you may want to check out solid state amps. I have know idea which will sound the best with you speakers. Also keep in mind that deminishing returns set in at a certin price point.

Good luck in your search

 

Can't really help as far as new stuff goes, but just for the info: Audiogon is where I look for used equipment. They have the biggest selection I know of.

 

Whoops, looks like KT beat me on that one.

 

I was also hesitant to buy larger items used. I have not personally been burned by it but you always take a chance. I feel safe buying on ebay only when the seller has a good positive feedback. With audiogon keep in mind that UPS will ship COD if the seller agrees. Use common sense, If a deal is too good to be true (like half of fair market value) it probably is.

Also look up the warranty policy of the amp you are thinking about buying. Some companies like Bryston have great transferable warranties.

 

Actually, I do know one person who knows tube amps. There is this guy who owns a used stereo shop in Austin called Circle Stereo and he buys/refurbishes tube amps constantly. If I were going to get one, I would probably go to him for some general advice at least. Be careful though, he'll talk your ear off... he is obsessed with old stereo equipment. I haven't bought anything from him because his restored transistor amps from the 70's are extremely inferior to equivalently priced modern NAD equipment. Every time I stop by he harasses me about my NAD stuff because he says the boxes are too small and prone to overheating, unlike good 70's stuff. It's like talking to someone who refuses to drive a fuel injected car. Amusing nonetheless.

 

I'm a huge audio enthusiast myself, but I don't know much about tube stuff. If you want to read up on stuff, I highly recommend www.audioreview.com. Tons of consumer reviews on almost everything. You're going to get extremely varied opinions on the whole tube issue, but I'm not going to contribute, because I haven't listened to many.

You are going to run into guys who will want to sell you older tube stuff. If you go that route, be certain that replacement parts, replacement tubes are available. You can get burned that way. And you will be replacing parts eventually.

I have another idea, if you get scared away from tubes- you can go solid state with your amplification, and get a tube preamp, which are commonly available. That can still give you some of that color that tube fans love.

 

Yay! Audio enthusiasts!

I'll put another vote in for Audiogon. I recently sold a B&K preamp, and I got a TON of replies to my sale (and eventually sold my unit to a guy locally). Sure, that doesn't say much about the supply side of Audiogon, but it does speak volumes about the site itself. It's a very popular site.

As for forums, I definitely recommend AVS Forum and Home Theater Forum. Another one not mentioned is Home Theater Spot.

 

Klipsch? Not bad Pole.

I used to own a pair of La Scalas. Sweet...sweet...

 

I'm not really a tube user -- but personally, I LOVE the old Sansui stuff from the 70s. Get a 9090DB on ebay and you'll be VERY VERY happy