Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo my tube setup with m22's

Hey everyone.

I decided to do a little post about my experience with the system I recently setup.

So one day I was looking around ebay and I found some nice new tube amplifiers which wern't too unreasonably priced. I wasn't going to buy anything but my girlfriend said I should treat myself since I hadn't got anything in a long time for myself. So, I placed a bid on one, not knowing what it would sound like, the quality of it, anything. It was a pretty risky thing I guess. The amp isn't even branded really, haha. But anyways $800 later I received it, set it up, listened abit and thought it was pretty good. Not a bad purchase. I waited a couple weaks, listening occasionally, but never a proper listening session. I ordered some nice axiom speaker cables, and when I got them I took the time to reposition my speakers, hook up the new cables, and really take a good listen.

I can't even believe what I heard. The music coming out of my speakers was so unbelievable.. I don't really know how to describe it. It's like the sound became alive.. The detail was so articulate and percise, the highs had like an organic sound, alittle bit of a sizzle to them, which otherwise have sounded sterile to me. Previously I thought it was impossible to get a sound that would be as enjoyable as listening to music on my headphones (AKG K-401) cause I just love the precsision they give and of course the huge stereo sound of good headphones.. But now I can say I like listening to my speakers better. I listen to mostly electronic music, and I put on one Berber and Tamra track where there's this luscious breakdown of just guitar and a beautiful female vocal, and serious that part of the track gave me chills down my spine for a solid minute.

I also make music, or at least I used to, and I popped in my own CD. I couldn't believe some of the sounds, they had such refreshingly vibrant textures that I have never even experienced like that before.

It might sound like I am exaggerating, but I am 100% sure there's a big improvement with this amp (possibly the wires too? I dont wanna suggest it ahha).

Here's the info for the amp:

Output Impedance : 4 - 8 ohm
Output Power : 65W x 2 ( CLASS A )
Frequency Response : 20 HZ - 92 KHZ
HI END OUTSTANDING S / N Ratio : 92 dB
pure copper RCA INPUT JACKETS
Tubes : KT88 x 4
HI - END MKP CAP

So that's my experience. Hope you found it entertaining/useful.

Hey Paul, sounds like the tube amp was a pretty good buy. Glad you found something that makes your enjoyment of music a little extra special. That may be the so-called magic of tubes. Makes you want to listen to more and more music. Not a bad thing.

Nice looking amp, too.

Oh, and thanks for sharing!

Ditto what Sean said. It's always a joy to find something that is worth the time, effort, and money. Enjoy!

Love the tube amp. Looks great!
I am trying a Class T amp from 41Hz.com before I look further into a tube amp for stereo listening myself. I have a kit and just have to build it but it is only 15W/channel. Apparently it gives enough power for some decent sound.

Awesome setup dude.

Great to hear that you are enjoying your new purchase. I may have to try the tube amp route down the road when the funds are replenished. I have been enjoying my brother-in-law's Jolida 302B tube amp.

Hey Chrono

There is tube magic!

That's a nice looking amp - those power transformers are huge! Very good sign!

Try a little acoustic guitar music, female vocals, some jazz, it all just sounds better.

chrono, was wondering what you had before the tubes and do you have a subby to complement the M22s?

Why does your gear make me think of a mad scientists lab? You aren't using some of those tubes to reanimate life, are you? Is the cat your lab assistant, or is it Frankenkitty? . . . I'm sorry, I'm sure it sounds wonderful. But, I still say those tube amps are reminiscent of Dr. Frankenstein's castle lab.

Anyone here heard the Primaluna Prologue 1 or 2? I'm interested in tubes and the fact that they autobias is a plus.

The PrimaLunas are terrific amps! Kevin over at Upscale Audio will hook you up.

Thanks 2x6spds. There is a shop here in Portland that sells Primaluna gear so I'll purchase from them. I'll stop by one of these days and see about a home demo.

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a sub for my M22's right now. I did have an Adire Rava sub, which was really amazing with the m22's, they meshed together very well. I still have it, but I didn't bring it to my appartment because it would definately cause some people to complain ahha.. Actually I almost brought it once but unfortunately (fortunately for my neighbours) it didn't fit in the car's trunk So I just have to manage without it for now.

Before I had the tube amp I used a Kenwood something, which I still have and use, it's in the equipment rack in the pictures. I use it with my TV and for movies. Only thing is I have to swap out the speaker wires depending which amp I'm using. I tried finding a switch so I wouldn't have to, which was actually on another post in this forum, but everything seemed too dangerous to use with a tube amp. So I have the axiom wires hooked up to the tube amp and a pair of banana plugs on the end which I can put in and out easily. And I have a regular pair of speaker wires hooked up to the Kenwood, which I just stick in the banana plug holes on the speaker posts. It actually works fine even without banana plugs on the ends.. haha.

LOL!! All you need is a "Telsa Coil" and some chick with wild hair...