Valve Amps With Tannoy

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by nando, Dec 18, 2011.

  1. nando

    nando nando

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
    Messages:
    4,017
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    london
    i always belived that the best sound that tannoy speakers gave and reproduced was via tube amps, noww i am using 211's with my tannoy's and is total harmony, bliss, i would like from tannoy dc users on their views, :)
     
    nando, Dec 18, 2011
    #1
  2. nando

    Dev Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,764
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Ilford, Essex, UK
    I tend to agree. I thought my D700s sounded best with the Rogue Stereo 90. They also sounded good with Leak Stereo 20 and WAD. The SS amps amps I tried include MF XA/2+X200 pre/power, Linn Intek, Luxman L31, Gainclone and others.
     
    Dev, Dec 18, 2011
    #2
  3. nando

    RobHolt Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2004
    Messages:
    4,126
    Likes Received:
    9
    I can see why the older Tannoys match well with tubes. They like light electrical damping as it encourages the bottom end to fill out and breathe.
     
    RobHolt, Dec 18, 2011
    #3
  4. nando

    nando nando

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
    Messages:
    4,017
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    london
    hi dev, and rob, the synchronicity between what i am listening to now is nostalgic music in harmony,:)
     
    nando, Dec 18, 2011
    #4
  5. nando

    nando nando

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
    Messages:
    4,017
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    london
    this valve amps are awesome across the board,
     
    nando, Dec 18, 2011
    #5
  6. nando

    Haselsh1 Shaun H

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2008
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lincolnshire
    I absolutely adore the sound of valves but at the moment I am not using mine with the best loudspeaker match. I could do a lot better and really would like a pair of Audio Note AZ-2's but at the moment they are a long way in the future.
     
    Haselsh1, Dec 18, 2011
    #6
  7. nando

    Jimbo

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2005
    Messages:
    449
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm using a solid state amp with mine. They do sound fine but would be nice to try valves to hear what they would do.
     
    Jimbo, Dec 18, 2011
    #7
  8. nando

    RobHolt Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2004
    Messages:
    4,126
    Likes Received:
    9
    You can partially replicate the relaxed damping by inserting a pair of 4 Ohm 5w resistors into one leg of each speaker cable. See if you like the effect on the bass and the change this makes to overall tonality.
     
    RobHolt, Dec 18, 2011
    #8
  9. nando

    Jimbo

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2005
    Messages:
    449
    Likes Received:
    0
    Save on buying a valve amp then.
     
    Jimbo, Dec 18, 2011
    #9
  10. nando

    Tenson Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2003
    Messages:
    5,947
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Kent, UK
    You could also replicate some of the valve distortion by putting the line level signal through a under specified signal transformer.
     
    Tenson, Dec 18, 2011
    #10
  11. nando

    nando nando

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
    Messages:
    4,017
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    london
    how about the regulaters ?
     
    nando, Dec 19, 2011
    #11
  12. nando

    Jimbo

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2005
    Messages:
    449
    Likes Received:
    0
    My tannoys are 40 years old now although they spent a good 20 years in the loft before i dug them out and made new cabs for them. Do you think they are ready for a service on the crossovers now?
     
    Jimbo, Dec 19, 2011
    #12
  13. nando

    nando nando

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2006
    Messages:
    4,017
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    london
    yes they could with an upgrade,
     
    nando, Dec 20, 2011
    #13
  14. nando

    Thomo60

    Joined:
    May 4, 2010
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    My HPD 385s are sounding very nice with a First Watt F5 SS amp.
    I have also heard them sounding good with a Cary 211 valve amp.
     
    Thomo60, Dec 28, 2011
    #14
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.