I have a set of Rf-7s hooked up to a Denon 3806, some surround Sony speakers and a huge Velodyne sub. I'd like to get more out of my Rf-7s and am considering buying a tube amp. And I have a couple of questions:

 1. Is a tube amp better than my Denon 3806? I listen to a wide range of music (electronic, chamber, rock, etc.). And if so, is it because the Denon is a solid-state amp?

2. If I use a tube amp will this make surround sound impossible? Or are all tube amps solely two channels?

3. And, finally, can someone recommend a decent quality tube amp for under a grand and for someone who can barely plug a toaster in?

 I know you guys have been asked these same questions a billion times already, but if you could help me out I'd be eternally grateful.

 Thanks,

Ant

 

Since I can't give any good tube advice I'll only say,there are miles between a good set of SS and a 38xx.

Like I said: I'm a complete moron about this stuff. What do you mean by 38xx? And can you give me some examples of a 'good ss?'

 Thanks,

Ant
 

I've owned the 3802/03/05 all were good dependable units but sound rather flat and boring.As a rule avrs do a less than great job with music,the HK's are an exception,only my opinion but they do music pretty well for an avr.It really comes down to if you want only 2ch or a 5.1/7.1 capability.If 2ch is all then a nice integrated would be good,there are plenty cheap and used or maybe Rotel,Outlaw,Emotiva etc new.if you go solid state.If you want 5.1 or more capability the Outlaw,Rotel Emo's are also very good at 2ch music,starting at$ 899 delivered.

 I would just throw in most tube setups are 2ch but they do make multi channel if you got the scratch.

Good luck.

he meant your 38 "06" receiver...

I'm using an old Conrad Johnson and it is very smooth and musical, maybe Musical Fidelity, McCormick, Bryston, B&K, Classe, BAT, Marsh, Parasound, Redgum, Rotel, Sim Audio or any other high quality S.S. amp and this list is just a drop in the bucket. Take a look at some of the signatures of people here on the forum to get an idea or visit Audiogon to see what is on the used market. I've found the 7's do like lots of power although they can be smooth and fulfilling with some lower powered stuff.

I will leave any tube suggestions to someone else, I've never heard them........

I am fairly new into tubes, and it depends on the listener. Some people swear by tubes and others like ss. Personally, i love the sound of tubes, especially with klipsch. When i went from tubes to my pioneer sx-980, after a week of listening to a scott 299, I wanted a tube amp immediately.  Tube amps are nice, but you may want to read and understand a little bit about them before you buy. I was going to buy one at the end of 2005, but decided to wait since i didn't know anything about them, so i got into tubes at the end of 2006 and read more and decided on a scott 233. The sound is impeccable. Tubes can be a pain also, but so can SS. I've had a buzzing problem with my 233 more out of the right channel, but hopefully it will soon be fixed. You just have to watch. Trust me though, i've read problems with new tube amps too. Scott's are highly reguarded on this forum and for the money, everyone says you have to spend much more with tube preamp and amp to match or barely beat the scotts. There is a 299b and 222c for sale right now on the klipsch forum. Already rebuilt by Craig (nos valves), so you can't go wrong. I hope this helps.

Craig has a lot of happy customers around here......

Is that towards me speedball because i was bumping him up with saying you can't go wrong with buying an amp from him. I made that mistake not to.

FYI... the RF 7's seemed to be liked by guys that also have a lot of watts...

I wonder if there is a big enough tube amp to really make these sing well too?

Just a thought...