Considering Tube Amp: HTA200 or REISONG A50 MKIII 300B or Elekit TU-8900 or ??? Or Just Keep Yamaha R-N600A ?

[ArchiMark]

Hi,

Title says it all (hopefully....). Considering getting my first tube amp....

Currently, I have Yamaha R-N600A solid state amp....very good but not sure has the warm sound I'm looking for.

Other current components:

- Technics SL-1200MK2 turntable with Ortofon LVB 250 cartridge

- Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B phono preamp

- SMSL PL200T CD Transport

- Geshelli Labs TORC DAC with:
- AKM4499EXEQ dual mono DAC boards
- Burson Classic - Op Amp


Been looking at tube amps online quite a bit....considering between several price points....low, medium, high (at least for me...).

A. Dayton Audio HTA200

From what I can tell, people seem pretty positive about this amp, and certainly given the fairly low price.
However, this is a hybrid design, tube / solid state. Like that it has plenty of inputs.
5 year warranty is nice too.


B. REISONG (Boyuurange) A50 MKIII 300B

Seems like a mixed bag on this one.....some really like it and some have issues with it. But can be upgraded potentially.


C. Elekit TU-8900

Seems very highly regarded, from Japan, very good quality, but at a much higher price point than the others.
Assume it's a good long-term choice and is upgradeable.


Any comments on the above?

Have I missed some other good choices?

Or should I just keep my trusty Yamaha R-N600A?



Thanks for any and all input.

Mark

 

[Sonnie Parker]

The few tube amps I tried, Jolida and Rogue... they were okay... but nothing special for me. A little more expensive, too.

My McIntosh MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amp... hmmm... love looking at it, but again, doesn't really bring anything to the table over my solid state amps. A LOT more expensive!

The other thing I’d consider is that “warmth” may not necessarily come from the amp alone. Speakers, room, cartridge, and the phono stage (looks like you decided to upgrade to the DS3) can influence that just as much, if not more. Sometimes a tube amp gives you the cool look (what I like most about them), but not always a significantly warmer sound.

I’d also be a little cautious with lower-cost tube amps unless you’re comfortable tinkering. Some may sound nice, but quality control, along with service and support, could matter. That’s where something like the Elekit probably makes more sense as a long-term piece, assuming the budget is there.

If you just want to experiment, the Dayton is probably the lowest-risk entry point (and as you said... pretty good reviews). If you want the real tube-amp experience, the 300B/Elekit route sounds more interesting to me. But if your Yamaha is reliable and working well, I wouldn’t expect tubes to be a guaranteed upgrade.

 

[ArchiMark]

THANKS for all your detailed input and suggestions. Very helpful!

Someone has suggested that I look at a Dynaco ST-70.....

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I thought those were discontinued... maybe used?

 

[ArchiMark]

Yes, but there are various people that do restoration/upgrades on them.....

 

[ddude003]

Another route to go could be a tubed line stage preamp in front of a solid state amp... Also consider that tube rolling can bring more or less warmth depending on several factors... Also triode tubes bring simpler, warmer sound while pentode tubes bring a louder, more detailed sound...

 

[ArchiMark]

Another route to go could be a tubed line stage preamp in front of a solid state amp... Also consider that tube rolling can bring more or less warmth depending on several factors... Also triode tubes bring simpler, warmer sound while pentode tubes bring a louder, more detailed sound...

Thanks for the creative ideas!