Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifiers, anyone use these?

I keep hearing how Tube amps have a ‘unique’ sound. I can’t say I’ve ever heard them but I am curious. Not being a ‘tuber’, I don’t know their limitations, but have come to the understanding that they are somewhat limited in current output.

Well a buddy of mine who is a completely hopeless audio snob that has his speaker wires on plastic pedestals has been telling me to get one a Butler “Hybrid” tube amp. They apparently have the sonic characteristics of a tube amp, but can drive difficult loads. I’ve been doing some reading on these and was wondering if anyone has actually heard them……….

Butler:

http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb2250.php

http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb5150.php

Van Alstine:

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipme...valve_350ex.htm

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipme...valve_550ex.htm

Hey Mike, the Van Alstine links aren't coming through??

I did listen to a 75 watt McIntosh tube setup once and thought the sound was extremely warm and inviting, but I couldn't tell whether or not the distinct sound was from the speakers (McIntosh something or another) or the amp. If I'm remembering correctly (probably not) the amp was like $3200. The tube stuff has always piqued my interest.

Hu....the web sight is slow.

Try this one...

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/amplifier/fetvalve_amps.htm


Funny you mention McIntosh. That's what my buddy has. Sounds amazing, but he's got around 25K in his two channel set up, so it damn well better sound good. His speakers have about twenty drivers each, or so it looked that way. I stopped looking / listening when he told me how much they were....

I don't think 2x6 would enjoy the description of what's responsible for the tube sound I found at this link on the Butler pages. It's the pleasing harmonic distortion that occurs when the amp is overdriven.

Well don't tell him then....I just wanted opinions on these Hybrid suckers, without drama.

Mike, you've probably come across this, it's a Van Alstine forum at Audiocircle, but thought I'd point it out anyway. I don't have any experience with these. Sorry. Read lots of good things, though.

Just buy one and tell us about it!

I have both. I have a room where I listen to Tube stereo and the other room is where I have my Surround sound setup and my axiom speakers as well.
Personally I prefer the tube for music. It sounds better. With that said I am also an electronic hobbyist so I can fix and actually build what I need in some cases. I brought some older tube equipment and rebuilt them. So I was able to do something I really enjoy and the end product was something I really liked. I began with an integrated amplifier, and am now using all separates. Good tube equipment is expensive to buy or to build. In my opinion you should reqally like to listen to music before you invest.
.

Another note:

When I was first getting into tubes, I would listen to them side by side. They normally have sampler CD's that use when you are listening to them. It is a variety of music and sound to show you the quality of the system you are listening to. It is really important that you listen to this CD in your house on your current system. Most high end audio places have the room set up for sound. Most homes are not built or set up as well. I went the extra step and brought my stereo system to their room and hooked it up. I did a few trips to the place, but I really got an appreciation for what I wanted and what they had to offer compared to what I already had. The equipment you are looking at is expensive and you want to make sure it is what you want.

I actually saw the Van Alstines for the first time yesterday, when another friend of mine posted the links at AVS. Weird coincidence that I was looking into the Butler Hybrids the same day as he posted the link. I’ll wade around that forum though, thanks!

Thanks for the Tube Amp comments mj. I know that folks who like their sound REALLY like their sound....hence my curiosity. These Hybrid tubers look like they would drive some power hunger 4 or 6 ohm speakers where typical tube amps don't fair so well, or at least that's what I've been led to believe. A couple of these are claiming 400 wpc at 4 ohms.. I didn't know tube amps could do that.

Mike, if an amplifier did in fact have a "unique sound", I certainly wouldn't want it. Any well-designed amplifier(which can include one using tubes in its output stages)is supposed to simply amplify without adding any sonic characteristic of its own. Changing the sound is the job of tone controls or other sound processing features.