As a guitar player and audio engineer I' m glad to see people still interested in tube gear. I wasn't aware of the KT150/170 neat tubes! Tons of dissipation, TONS of power available, very cool!

So glad you did not close down your channel. Love your shows

Thanks for another great vid. Glad to know you're attending the audio show with the the Galion, wish you have a great success on your demo. ✌️

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated!

Such nice presentation and a comfortable recording of your voice which makes listening to your hifi adventures a relaxing experience

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

So nice of you

Thomas you have revolutionized audiophile criticism..." OH SHIT moment" now enters our vocabulary, besides " airiness and sparkle, etc.", congratulations!

Stunning, my dear friend. Simply, awesome. 🎶🙌🏻. Thanks.

Thats a Beast !! I can not thank Thomas enough for getting me to try A tube amp . Honestly I stayed away From tube amps due to relability vs Solid state , But after trying the Doge I was like omg ! I am a big fan Of Mosphete Integrated amps and tubes remind me of the ultimate Mosphete lol 😆 If you love the Yamaha Big Boy sound then i know you'll love Doge !

Thanks for the video. I am thinking of buying the Cayin Soul 170i. Ofcourse first to the store for listing.

🤗THOMAS,YOU REALLY SURPRISE ME…I DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE A TUBE Connoisseur TO SUCH A DEGREE, YOUR EXPERIENCE “ in the audio kitchen “ IS VERY VALUABLE FOR TUBE LOVERS 💚 …ALONG WITH YOUR AUDIOPHILE BUDDIES…YOU ARE ABLE TO COOK 👨‍🍳 SOMETHING FOR ALMOST ANY TASTE 🤗👍😁😎💚💚💚

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

😁

Another great Video Thomas. I love the "Oh sh*t moment" comment. Funny but honest and real, as you always are. Could you take a moment to comment on Mr. DIY's amplifier. I often hear you mention it, as have others, but I've never heard anyone mention what kit it was. Did Mr. DIY dream up the circuit diagram on his own and build it from scratch or did he find the kit somewhere and put it together. I've put together several amplifiers, my favorite being the Elekit TU-8600S, but this amplifier you keep talking about makes me want to build it.

Great video as always. That is a nice looking amp.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

It really is!

845 tube-these were used as modulators in an older CEMCO 500kw SW transmitter built in 1948! 300 tubes were used in older Western Electric 1000 w AM broadcast transmitters. Used them as modulators.

Thomas, I so much enjoy your enthusiasm for your videos.. and your honesty of your opinions obviously are made in the best interests of your viewers; and yet, you are true to yourself in stressing "my opinions". I like people who are honest...and yet have the capability of doing it with respect to opposing opinions--great job! Please stay the same and never change your values and format of your videos. I believe in that respect, you will establish and keep a loyal fan base! Thank you! By the way...what is the recording and artist you use at the end of your videos? Interesting....

@welshrarebit9238

Жыл бұрын

When you try a 6L6 type tube your thoughts might have changed Specifically the Tungsol 7581A

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, the info is in the description box. I use that song because it is copyright free.

Preach it, and teach it, Thomas!😄 I'm really enjoying the journey you're taking us on. My own projects will be the better for it.

I came up with one and Thomas you may well like. People don't change they just gain knowledge...

“I dunno…Velociraptors?” LOL, good one Thomas!

Thomas, you know how good you are now? People are quoting your review to sell used gear!! I'm used to seeing quotes from Stereophile, The Absolute Sound......but to see yours brought a smile to my face. Congratulations and keep on doing what you do because to a lot of us Audio Geeks you are becoming one of the greatest audio reviewer of all time regardless of media forum.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

😁

@rexoliver7780

Жыл бұрын

Sadly my Scott amp got lost in a flood-I so miss it!

@rexoliver7780

Жыл бұрын

The Scott amp was purchased used at McGuires Hi-Fi in downtown Wash Dc from their trade in shelf-the best 50 bucks I spent on hi fi gear! It was lost in a flood a few years later-haven’t foun another. Often used gear can lurk in thrift shops and yard sales.

Just look at the volume button, and imagine what's behind it, I think they're stepper, probably -eizz??, and 40 kg. Thanks for sharing!!

If you are looking for one, email Richard at richard.k@asonaltd.com Latest Galion video on TS120's bass kzread.info/dash/bejne/pYmIo9xmd5ippdo.html The Galion video with Wilson Sabrina speakers kzread.info/dash/bejne/kaGKubObm6y6j84.html

@PetraKann

Жыл бұрын

There is absolutely NO WAY that I would even consider using the SECOND most powerful tube in the world in my sound system. Why contaminate the music with second best and inferior tubes? Nobody can live like that in a civilised world. This tube MUST be taken off the market and the company responsible issued with strict legal charges in order to prevent this from occurring again in the future of humankind.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

@@PetraKann 🤣🤣 love it!

To me high power tubes are those that are used in 500kw and 1mw radio transmitters. An exmample is the Thompson CQ650. This high gain from tetrode has a plate disapation of 650kw! This tube would cost $150K! Runs at plate volts 15kv,60A and 2 kv screen voltage . I run a 500kw SW transmitter that uses the CQ650 is its RF output stage.

🤗AGAIN THOMAS..YOUR EXAMPLE OF THE NIGHT 🌌 SKY AND THE MILKY WAY IS PERFECT IDEA 🤩💡

Hi Thomas, with regards to voltage and tubes the following is my understanding. The anode voltage together with the grid (negative) voltage are parameters that affect the bias of a tube (i.e to obtain the desired working point/anode current), tubes biased differently will sound different you might have heard the expression "running a tube hot or cold". In most amplifiers the anode voltage cannot be adjusted so it is just a design parameter. Finally and importantly the design of the output transformer is very important. The design aim to match the tube internal resistance to the speakers impedance to have maximum power transfer and bandwidth.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

I see, thanks for sharing.

@rexoliver7780

Жыл бұрын

The transmitting tube I referred to is used as a RF power amplifier stage in a short wave broadcast transmitter. Since high power RF is expensive to generate-the power tubes are operated class C for best efficiency. Push pull audio modulator stages-esp for broadcast transmitters are run class B. There are 3 GE SW transmitters that use a class B modulator that runs 125kw of audio power to plate modulate a 250 kw RF stage.7482 tubes run in push pull via 6000 lb mod transformer-mod transformer. It serves two functions match the push pull audio to a single end RF amp. And of course impedance transfer.the stage and transformer can be flat 50-10khz. A quad of small 7532 tubes drive the grids of the 7482 mod tubes.the RF amp is two 7482’s in parallel.12kv 25A and the mod stage 15kv at 12A for the mod tubes. The transmitter has a 12kv(RF) amp and 15kv for the modulator-three big “pole” transformers in each supply.4160v primary 3 ph.

@raphaelmeillat8527

Жыл бұрын

One quick follow-up question if I may... Always wonder if the same amp will sound different in Japan or Canada vs Europe due to this 100/110V vs. 230V... I know that input voltage is often taken care of by OEM's but still, wouldn't it make a difference? Particularly with tubes given native sensitivity to voltage level? Just curious...

@ivanr5315

Жыл бұрын

@@raphaelmeillat8527 hi Raphael, that is a really good question! In my understanding It really depends on the design and the anode supply but if you consider a standard LCLC (inductance/capacitance) supply and anode resistor then the answer is most likely yes. The issue is not so much with 110 or 220V as these are widely different supplies and need to be accounted for in the design but rather for voltages that range from 220V to 240V. For example here in the UK we are supposed to use 230V +10%-6%). At my outlet I have 243V, in other EU countries they have 220V as standard. re-biasing will go some way to adjust the bias current but the sound might still be a little different due to a different bias point. How much difference will likely depends on the design and tubes.

@rexoliver7780

Жыл бұрын

@@raphaelmeillat8527 it would be the secondary voltage coming out of the amps power transformer that would have effect on the operation of the amp. The secondary voltages would be the same if you ran the amp on either 120v or 230. You would connect the amp according to the manual diagram to get the proper taps for 120v or 230v the amp would draw less primary input current of 230 then 120v ie 230v current would be half of that for 120v say the amp draws 10a at 120v,it would draw 5a at 230v.

Great video as always Thomas

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Thank you for your immediate reply and the info! $800 is way better than $2,000! I love tube amplification especially with electrostatic speakers which we have; Martin Logan Expression 13A but i promised my wife no tubes. Why? I am 74 years old and many people my age, especially males are passing away. I don’t want to leave her with a living room of tube gear that if a tube fails she does not know how to replace! We were at an audio show an Kevin the designer of VAC told my wife he would personally come to our house in my absence 😂 Good sales save on his part; notwithstanding his “it’s just like changing a light bulb” I know someone who had Audio Research and when the tube failed it took with it took out something else with it. The cost of the repair, since he was out of warranty was equal to the cost of the amp so he had a $3,000 boat anchor instead. Have you looked at Octave? German Stereoplay rates it at the top of tube amplification in their monthly Rang und Namen. My first love was Martin Logan CLSII with no crossover driven by an all Audio Research chain. I was smitten last year by the reviews of the Michi M8 Mono blocs, the Michi P-5 and S-5 separates but most of all by the integrated the Michi W-5 now in version 2 iteration with a retail of $8,000 I did a very deep dive into all integrated amplifiers at around the $10,000 price point that have a built in phono stage and one that did not from all the recommended ones by German Stereoplay magazine and to my amazement all had specs, specifically S/N ratio for MM and MC stages WORSE than what we have now! Several were equal for the MM stage but far worse for the MC stage. I was inside the Martin Logan Owners Forum and some are using the Michi M8 mono blocks which received top ranking from Stereoplay and a great review in Stereophile. Soundstage did measurements for the Michi W-5 integrated and in every parameter exceeded the manufacturer's claims in the best possible way. I even entertained Musical Fidelity's top integrated and thought I would add their phono stage and it turned out that according to Soundstage measurements it did NOT meet the manufacturer's claims and to tell you that I find that off putting is an understatement. This piece has received rave reviews but again let down by phono section and really a sideways move in terms of power Stereoplay's list is called Rang und Namen and ranks a piece by sound quality first and then for value meaning sound against the asking price; below the first number is sound the second for sound of the DAC and the last the value ■ Technics SU-R1000 62|-|61 90 ■ Rotel MICHI X5 60|-|61 88 ■ MusicalFidelityM8Xi 59|-|60 88 ■ Luxman L-507Z 62 89 (no DAC) I also looked at this Esoteric F-05; no improvement Here is the most recent Stereoplay summary which is released monthly: www.connect.de/filedownload/documents/118676701/RANG-NAMEN-stereoplay-2023-09.pdf Any ideas would be appreciated; the only reason we are looking is I read a review in Soundstage and he said the Michi X5 really woke up the bass and midrange of his ML; this was exactly what I wanted to hear as we are looking for more oooomph!

@ThomasAndStereo

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Sadly I have not tested any of those at my home so I cannot really comment. I have listened to so many gear that many of the amps I personally prefer don't measure well. So, I myself fall in the group 'I only care what sounds good to my ears'. Yeah tubes can be a hassle and solid state is definitely more care free. Also, ML already have a great soundstage so tubes are not really needed.

I used to listen to 6550 tubes all the time. No one even mentions the any more. In the day I preferred to KT88.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

I find them smoother sounding than KT88. On the Galion SE version, it is too smooth.

Tube rolling on an valve amplifier is an interesting endeavor. Satisfying results are dependent on the capabilities of the amplifier. I would agree just because you can, does not mean you should. The current pair that I use, I have found work well with everything it can support, it was designed to do so. I decided to purchased them over a pair of the lauded McIntosh MC275, because of this versatility. Albeit, them being better sounding is a matter of preference. So far, I have used with them the KT 88, EL 34, 6550, KT120 and KT150. I prefer the KT150 and KT88 sound the most. But, that is just me. The KT 150 however put its performance on par with an pair of Tube amps that were twice their price. Albeit the bass on those mono-blocks had more snap, and conveyed little more naturalness in the mid-range, it could not match them in the low end authority, were not as precise on tone and sound-stage, nor were the dynamics of an performance as powerful.

@welshrarebit9238

Жыл бұрын

Ever tried a 6L6 type tube ? . Specifically the Tungsol 7581A .. The most musical tube available..

@rexoliver7780

Жыл бұрын

The 6L6 tube was developed by Cunningham division of RCA-at the time they were the tube division of RCA this family of ‘beam power” tubes as Cunningham-RCA referred to them as a more efficient and compact for making both audio and RF amplifiers for communications equipment at the beginning of WW2. The later KT series of tubes are more powerful versions of our old friend the 6L6! I don’t know if I would want to use the 6L6 in place of a KT150. The plate disapation and power handling of a KT150 is like 3 times more than a 6L6. Iam wondering when guitarists will be wanting guitar amps that would use pp KT 150’s a real “stadium blaster” amp!

As for being the most powerful or second most powerful tube in the world, I'm pretty sure there's a company called Eimac that would argue with you. Let me suggest you look at the Eimac 4CW50,000E. This is a 38-pound tetrode with a rated plate dissipation of 50,000 watts (using water and forced air cooling). A pair of them in class AB1 will produce an undistorted 195,000 watts of audio. I'm pretty sure that will drive whatever speakers you want.

I have gotten EXCELLENT sound reproduction from a Scott LK 48 intergrated amp from the late 50’s-early 60’s that used 7189 tubes in each channel-PP gives 24 clean watts per channel. Ran them into high efficiency speakers-all the power you need! Don’t need your own power station to run them! The big tubes used in the amps shown are cool-but too big,too expensive for most of us high fi listeners.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Slack, granted...lol... And glad to hear you're having some success with the Galion.

@RedSinter

Жыл бұрын

Thomas, I see, or hear, as I remained to the end of your prognostications lol ..that happily you hold to Progress...like Rust ...Never Sleeps.

Oh yes at a surplus store so many years ago found a CASE of 300 WE JAN army/Navy white box 300s priced at 2 bucks each-they were new-back then didn’t have lots of money nor any equipment that used 300 tubes. Now I think of those and how they were two bucks each at how much they are worth today! And remember 300 tubes were used in the first Western Electric cinema amps for reproducing early film soundtracks!

Thank you Thomas for the great review! Can the power tubes be rolled as well... KT88, 6550, KT120 & KT150's?

Would appreciate any advice on tube rolling 101 for integrated amp, (in my case, Cayin CS55) Which one should I try first? the pre (12AU7/12AX7) or power (KT88)

I just Sub&like your chanel. Goodluck!

I've had my eyes on this amp for a while. Amazing review. Honestly I wish they would've made it a single ended class a amp instead of push pull ab. Since it is I'd honestly take the gallion ts120. It's a no brainer to me.

@latheofheaven

Жыл бұрын

C'mon Thomas... How much did you pay this guy! 😁

@brunohebert1351

Жыл бұрын

@@latheofheaven maybe he gave him a free TS120? ;-)

@latheofheaven

Жыл бұрын

@@brunohebert1351 *AHA!* YES, that must be it. Why you sneaky little guy Thomas! 😲

Hy Thomas, You are a great story teller, I love it. When you are in a concert hall (or a pop festival venue) you probably have noticed, like I have, that every spot (or group of seats) in the hall have its own sound. I is like the same with the story of the array of power amps you just have posted. I own for 30 years a pair of electrostatic loudspeakers (Audio Static type ES100, once reviewed in Audiophile May 1995 mentioned as breath taking speakers from Holland.) and I have been all that time in the best seat of the hall all that time :) Rob Wynschenk, (from the Netherlands)

I just love my 170i… it sound amazing amazing

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

You have a Cayin Soul?

@luismiguelclemente3232

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo yes, I bought one last month. The wooden version, serial nr 125 :)

@klepp19

Жыл бұрын

Luis what other integrated tube amps have you considered before you chose the Soul?

@luismiguelclemente3232

Жыл бұрын

@@klepp19 hi! Well, I searched a lot by myself for almost 1 year, and I also follow a couple of reviewers such a Thomas & stereo. I considered amps like the Willsenton r800, Feliks, and many others… but I always liked the quality of Cayin brand (I had a couple in the past and I also have now the new Ha-3a headphone amp). Cayin never disappointed me and I tend to stick with something I like

@klepp19

Жыл бұрын

@@luismiguelclemente3232 Thanks for sharing your experience!🙂

Good job Thomas 👌have you test the AUDIO RESEARCH VSI 60 with KT 120,i would like to know your opinion. Thanks 🙏

Dear Thomas, I have started following your channel and there is so much to learn from you, i am struggling to buy a tube amp, could you help. should i buy Muzishare R100 or McIntosh 275? or Wellington R8 KT88?

Try KT90 and you will be blown away. Tigth and fast drum, soft bass and middrange to drown in sound. Amp i use is GS-audio 901.. Exelent quality and i know it because i build tube amps on order. Last project were 240watt tube monobloks.. LoL

Love how you guys casually put "over than a grand" tubes on the edge of the table lol.

what's going on with those speakers next to the ribbon tweeters is that a port?

Great video as always and the title does get the click so even though you better clarified it in your opening statement I'm not sure that's true either. Any chance you can test the NAT Magma New HPS "Single Ended Class "A" Triode (D.H.T.) Power Output max. 170 Watts" ? This may be the worlds most powerful tube and it's called Magma because of the color of the anode that is so real to volcano's magma. To power this beast the power supply is providing 1000 volts. It costs more than a new car and it could probably heat your whole house in the winter but I've always wanted one (two they're mono blocks) and as you know we all live thru you vicariously. Keep up the good work

@scottwolf8633

Жыл бұрын

Didn't see your post, essentially repeated same, my apologies.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Would love to!

IMHHO, I am not one to flatter people, but it’s NOT flattery when it is TRUE And when it comes to eating we have all had meals we enjoyed home cooking and outstanding meals that we remember for years…and TUBES are something that I have never had an opportunity to develop an appetite for…and you and your audio buddies have given me A DESIRE FOR MORE 😁😅💚💚💚

@jasontimothywells9895

Жыл бұрын

Eating tubes could be interesting 🤔, but passing them out the ol poop shoot would be a bloody mess 🤪🤦

@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461

Жыл бұрын

@@jasontimothywells9895 😅🤷‍♂️you just have to swallow it whole

@jasontimothywells9895

Жыл бұрын

@@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461 oh yeah, with some mayonnaise and sour kraut. Then wash it down with potato vodka 😜

@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461

Жыл бұрын

@@jasontimothywells9895 Strange combo But everything goes smoothly with vodka 😎😁

@jasontimothywells9895

Жыл бұрын

@@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461 yeesh, I'm half way through a bottle of Russian standard potato vodka tonight, it goes great with Pink Floyd marathon. Tomorrow will be Armanian Cognac with some Bach and Muller.

Hi Thomas, you mentioned you managed to get the TS120 to where you want and beyond, are you referring to the standard version or the upgrade version?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Both.

Question..... Hello Thomas, thanks for your precious reviews ! I own a Cayin A-55T that sounds fantastic. Recently I bought a pair of loudspeakers JMRenaud Offrande Suprême 2. I don't know if you know about these LP but definitely, my Cayin A-55T is not powerful enough for them. So I want another Cayin and I wonder which one would fit ? I'm thinking about the CS 170i. Do you think it would fit ? NB : I love smooth jazz music, with subtile treble, breathing mids and present bass.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Oh, the CS170i should have no problem driving it. That amp is really powerful.

@PhilippeLenaif

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo Thnaks so much for the quick answer ! Since the A-55T sounds very nice (except the power) with the JMR Offrande, would you say that the CS170i will sound the same. Or would you suggest another Cayin ?

Hi Thomas. Love your video. I am a fan of your. I have Willsenton r-800i with 48 w per channel. I feel it has no bass. Do you think the KT88-117 that I can role to it amplifier , can you give me ideas how to improve the bass on that amp. Thank you very much and have a good day

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Get a sub and solve the problem properly. The R800i cannot use KT88.

That's a big 1

hi Tomas , great review , the sincerity in the last part of your video is appreciated , I hope one day hear the top end sparkling detail in my system (: i was wondering if this cayin 170i could make good match wiht kef speakers? any insight?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Depends which KEF, R700 yes. LS50..hmm. The reason R700 is not a bright speaker.

@carlosruiz6063

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereomy speakers are R7, maybe brighter than R700...

@carlosalmero9202

Жыл бұрын

Hi Thomas Your honesty is very much appreciated. I mentioned I have a Primaluna HP Dialogue integrated Amp, and recently I put an order for Galion TS120 is because I have this Kef R900 . Do you think TS120 will make it sing😍

Thanks Thomas again for another great review. I am the happy owner of a Cayin CS150A and now I have learnt from Cayin themselves that the CS150A can run KT170, just adjusting the bias. Any ideas of how could the CS150A sound with KT170 vs. the Soul 170i?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Well you don't have the optimized voltage for it, so it will work but not at max potential.

listening to the audio demo at the end i noticed very very little bass, is that how it was for you? loved the video always a pleasure cheers

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, no I don't remember it was bass shy. Did you compare it ot my other sound demos?

First of all thanks for your videos in general and specifically this one ! Do you think the KT170 automatically works this magic in any amp that can handle KT150 and/or KT170 ( my Ayon can and my 150s are close to aprox. 2.000hours ) Tks

@ThomasAndStereo

11 ай бұрын

It is smoother by nature.

Thank you for this video! I am really loving everything I am reading about this amp. But from the looks of it, there is no US dealer. Do you happen to know anything about this?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Richard would know. Email him at richard.k@asonaltd.com.

@shawnwu9529

Жыл бұрын

I just made my purchase, music tek carries it

What is the basis of Mr DIY’s amplifier? Does he have his own channel?

Hello Thomas! Could it drive correctly BW 802(n)

I hope you can review the OTL Atma-sphere amps - completely tube driven which supposedly are "better" bc they are transformerless.

Hi Thomas, love your channel. I have totem signature ones. Can you recommend a warm, smooth amp for it? I am using a Rotel rb 991, but it seems too bright.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

It depends on your budget. Yes, you would need a smooth sounding amp to tame those speakers.

@jasonallen1205

Жыл бұрын

I have a $5,000 budget. I am open to a tube integrated amp, but I would prefer a modern class D just for convenience, heat, and spouse approval.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

@@jasonallen1205 Most class D amps are 'neutral' and not warm sounding. You can get a tube preamp + class D power amp to give you the warmth. Or just go class AB.

@jasonallen1205

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, maybe I'll try a McIntosh MA252 hybrid integrated amp....a tube preamp with a solid state amp.

Thanks for the review. Can you get a modded Eico HF 81 tube amp n review it. This amp has 6L6 tubes? low power but great bass.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, 6L6 are great. I don't know if i can get one to review but will keep my eyes open.

13:03 Hello have you already tried the soul 170 with Martin Logan Regards

Dear Thomas, I love you content however I would love to see a review on Line Magnetic. The LM-805IA or LM-219IA PLUS or LM-845 Premium. And would love to hear how they stack up against the Cayin. Do the pepsi - cola test ! Many thanks in advance!

I don't man, I was playing with the idea of using old Soviet klystrons for audio duty....also check out some bespoke amps using giant radio transmitter triode for output tube.

Will you be reviewing the Caying HA-3A?

My new tube power amplifier class A use KT170 and awesome. Also please what's the name of the expensive British tube?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

I think those were Mullard CV181 tubes.

Another great video…s

@stevenbeau6268

Жыл бұрын

Gotta tell You. Often I’m not in the least bit interested in the products You review but, I’m very impressed with Your videos…s

What about the tenor tube amps?

2A3, 45 and 71A tubes for the win, sorry man 😎 The bottle shape of the 170 looks cool tho.

@tomsherwood4650

Жыл бұрын

what about 50's?

@tothemax324

Жыл бұрын

@@tomsherwood4650 Oh yeah, but I have not had the pleasure yet 👍

@klepp19

Жыл бұрын

What about 805a?

very nice product

Quick question if I want dynamics which should I choose since I cannot audition either (buying an audio product without and audition is nuts); Cayin CS-150A or Line Magnetic 150IA?

@ThomasAndStereo

9 ай бұрын

I have only heard the CS150 but never the Magnetic, so I don't know. The CS150 dynamic is decent, but now that I have heard more amp, it is just ok. For example, the Octave amps, crazy good, of course there is my Galion amp. If you can afford the $10k Octave amp, definitely a strong recommend from me.

NAT Audio Magma, employs a single GM100 tube for 170 watts output, Class A.

Can I swap KT170s for my K88 in Antique Sound Lab Hurricane Mono Blocks?

@ThomasAndStereo

6 ай бұрын

You would need to ask them, there is a good chance it will play but not at proper power output and sound quality. Your transformer must be able to handle the extra demand. So only way to know is ask the manufacturer.

Conrad Johnson uses 6550 where do they fall in the groups; Allnic also uses the kt170 and almost all the reviews of their products cite pureness of sound.

Thomas , do you know Hungary audio , the xp200 ? Maybe a very solid alternative to the Cayin , indeed Aldo with kt170 , and about the same price , The c200/p200 are astounding , but that’s another price , and pre+ power ,..plus not fair

@MsCorbacho

4 ай бұрын

I see the Cayin 170 working very good with the new revival audio speakers which are a bit subdued at highs and very smooth there in also

@ThomasAndStereo

4 ай бұрын

I don't but I know people who do who own them, definitely interesting.

Hello Thomas ..............DA 100 ( Osram Valve ) ..............100 W The WE 212E.......................275 W 845................100 W .......and there are some others... Power and quality coupled like a balanced pair..............what you gain is also what you lose..... What do mean high power valaves like the ones you mention is to TRY to match two different worlds.......Valves with speakers who have low impedance , very low sensitivity and loss of low level micro dynamics and needing high dampling factors and high power ....... yes its works but not in the same league as the speakers which were build in the past for this technology..............it's all about the hype of tubes and to satisfy audiophile demand create bt the marketting and to experience the vertues of an older technology which has some qualities absent in the solid state world .......solid state has a cristaline structure ............vacuum has not ......... There are good solid state amplifiers and bad tube amplifiers .....but the potential will never be the same....due to the nature of electrical behaviour....................one never explores the potential of a race car in the dessert..............a 4X4 will outclass it.............but it will not beat the racecar on a track like the former. Have a lovely Thomas .............the world and the world of audiophiles is filled with paradoxes.

Amazing review...Some fun metaphors... I am one of those asians you mentioned who like 'lively Cayin sound'. 😀 I actually have a A88T Reference version with Genalex Gold Lion tubes and love the sound, forward but in a pleasant way. I just hope the sound stage could be bigger and bass more robust and deeper. Does Soul 170 can do that? Can you or someone advise? Appreciate and many thanks.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Oh yes, the bass is stronger and the soundstage is bigger when compared to the Cayin CS55A.

@vincentwang3585

Жыл бұрын

(I should clarify in my initial question maybe) the amp I have is the counterpart model to CS88A in China domestic market which is supposed to be a step up from CS55A... But anyway do you think I could conclude: sound stage and bass wise, Soul 170 > CS150A > CS88A, thanks.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

I would think so but I did not really AB test it, have you tried pulling your speakers out from the wall? I think the CS150A might have a deeper soundstage but not a wider soundstage. Maybe the width of your soundstage is limited by your speakers?

@vincentwang3585

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo I will try that, thanks for your replies!

Hi Thomas, just one question have you listened to the Cayin C840A-pro, if so when do you think? THANKS

@ThomasAndStereo

8 ай бұрын

Sorry, did not get a chance to listen to the C840

@trillatchristian6621

7 ай бұрын

Is not C840 ,is't A 840 pro Big différence​@@ThomasAndStereo

@JayNalaza

3 ай бұрын

​@@ThomasAndStereo hi Tomas may I ask on how to connect to a subwoofer .I am new in this setup hope you reply Thank you

@ThomasAndStereo

3 ай бұрын

@@JayNalaza You either get a subwoofer with a high level input, or a tube amp with a subwoofer out.

The “Big Leap” over the 150 is the Big Price

Thomas on you three categories why don’t you mention the 6L6 tube ?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Yeah 6l6 are great.

Too bad Cayin is not well represented in the USA... I worry about after sale support.... Otherwise, I will be all over it as their portfolio is very wide.... Well done Thomas !

@mahasidha9

9 ай бұрын

Would you be kind enough to provide who if any is the distributor for Cayin in the States and/or online dealers. I am in Wisconsin. Thanks

@ptg01

5 ай бұрын

@@mahasidha9 I don't think the dealer network in USA is established. Only in Canada have I seen Cayin quite prominent.

How is the noise floor on thjs amp ...?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Pretty silent.

Any experience with the orsefon 275 McIntosh clone?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Nope

I wonder how does Soul 170i vs Hegel H590? One of the most powerful tube amp vs a very powerful solid state amp

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Hegel H590 is a precision machine. Does everything amazing, a bit too perfect for me. It does have better bass control. The Cayin might be more 'emotional' to listen to. Have to do serious AB test to be 100% sure.

Put the 170i with a pair of Harbeth SHL5P XD's.

Yes Mr. Thomas I have to fully agree with you with the red flag syndrome. Money flowing down gutters and drain because of it...

i have seen 250,000+ dollar tube amps which make 2500 watts. 😎

Is it true that it costs $2,000 to replace 4-KT 170 tubes if so it throws the entire value to cost equation into questionable regardless of benefits outlined here

@ThomasAndStereo

9 ай бұрын

On Aliexpress, it is $200 USD a tube. Sadly the war has pushed up the price of tubes.

Apparently you've never heard of Klystron transmitter tubes manufactured by Eimac, some of which can produce from 300KW to 1MW each!

@jasontimothywells9895

Жыл бұрын

Eimac is a tube that hardly no one knows about . They are a very ROBUST tube .

@rexoliver7780

Жыл бұрын

I forgot the Eimac type# they made a vapor-water cooled tetrode power tube that was used in 1mw medium wave and long wave broadcast transmitters. A pair of these tubes as an audio amp could make 2mw of power! Used as a modulator for a very high power RF amp stage!the tube was in the lobby of the VOA Wash Dc headquarters studio plant. It was part of their transmitter display. The tube weighed in at over 400pounds! Could handle 15kv at 125A!

@westelaudio943

Жыл бұрын

He's talking about audio tubes in current production.

@jasontimothywells9895

Жыл бұрын

@@westelaudio943 so , DM is talking about transmitter tubes , it's all vacuum and all educational. So we who love the vacuum tube technology no matter the type or specific types for different uses are having a conversation, what are you? One of those government idiots that dictates what we speak of and about 🤔 so go get edumacated on something you don't know 💩about and keep your mouth shut when others give some interesting and trivial wisdom , sorry to be brash and a ride but grass , but If we want your 2 cents we will ask you for it , you really need to think before spouting off . If you don't care about a topic then keep your nose out of it . Some of use are tube junkies , sorry for your narrow mind.

@rexoliver7780

Жыл бұрын

@@westelaudio943 klystron tubes are not used for audio or lower frequency RF. The ones I have seen were for UHF tv broadcast-they could generate 55kw or 65kw depending on the transmitter or klystron type. These are a different class of tube than the gridded tubes used in audio amps or lower frequency RF. The power grid tubes can be used for lower frequency RF generation or amplification,audio,too. The tubes used in the hi-fi audio amps are often used as drivers in some modulator stages-the audio tube drives the grids of the larger one.el34,6550,kt88 were used commonly for mod drivers-even for low level RF amplification in some transmitters. El 34 can be used at video frequencies.same with el84.

I think you need to reconsider your tube preconceptions. We have been too long in the tube horsepower race, just as we were in the transistor horsepower race in the 1970s/80s. Many makers are (re) discovering the virtues of low output tubes and/or single-ended tube topologies (SET) for their ability to dissect small signal inner detail. As you say, these tubes "don't make your jaw drop" but this is mostly because you need to join a low output tube with an appropriate ultrasensitive speaker. Scouting out the audio press, I can see speakers with >95 db/watt sensitivity and amps under 10 watts output (often under 5 watts output), and rarely do I see complaints about lack of low end or low volume. I think the main reason why these products are ignored or unknown is that most makers of low output/high sensitivity systems are boutique makers that you don't see in stores or advertisements but they are worth seeking out, and KZread, SIGS (special interest groups) and various blogs are excellent venues for this.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

I think it is an excellent point. I need to get my hands on speakers that are over 95db to have a better idea what low power tubes can do.

what brand are those speaker feet?

@richard128

Жыл бұрын

Hi Mike. The feet, as well as the equipment rack you see from the Hegel room at the Montreal Audiofest, are manufactured by Paris (France) based Centaure Hi-Fi.

With the similarities between Primaluna and Cayin I wonder if the Primaluna can run KT 170 on the KT150 switch position

@V1ralB1ack

Жыл бұрын

it can there was a guy who did it on the evo 300 integrated because it had more space. someone did it on the 400 as well but he used like over 12 socket savers as tube risers so that the kt170 could fit. imagine that 8 kt170s.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Well it depends on your definion of 'run it'. If you mean will it make sound if you plug in the KT170, probably. If you mean would it sound good to the point where it is reaching KT170 true potential, don't know.

@HD-Tech

Жыл бұрын

@@V1ralB1ack Yes I can image that, in fact I'm running 8 NOS Mullard EL34's XF2's in my Dialogue Premium HP. Always wondered the difference between the KT150's

@V1ralB1ack

Жыл бұрын

@@HD-Tech I imagine it would sound less good. Kt150s would probably sound more dynamic and power but also more neutral.

@V1ralB1ack

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo You're absolutely right. I haven't had the pleasure of hearing the kt170s but everyone reports they're different and as you said they have a smoother midrange. That's a big deal.

Can you get ts120 installing kt170s?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

No, you can't.

I do not get it, how can you call the 211 and 845 low power??

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

As I said, I was generalizing. Usually 211 and 845 amps on the market are around 20w because it probably sounds best in single ended design. I am sure you can probably get over 40w+ in push pull but the market don't usually have that. Once again, I repeat, I had to generalize because I am talking to over 10k+ people.

@matldn2697

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo I understand, the 845 has a very strong bass, clear mid-range and strong clean treble. In single or push pull.

Willson Audio Watt Puppy 6….🎉

Are replacement tube available? Are the tubes Russian?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Yes.

Check out Eimac tubes. Real power.

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

OMG!

All perceived observations and opinions are function and valid only with speakers made today ..............not so with speakers made for tube amplification.......... Audiophiles are conditionned by marketing .....just like people are conditionned by the media/politics/religion/education..... Example ................The Galion ( which is probably a good amplifier for the JOB )....coupled with the Wilson speakers .......

I wonder if this Amplifier would work good with a pair of Goldenear Triton Reference, anyone?

@soundbydesignindia3730

9 ай бұрын

Go for it, Cayin has been astonishingly good

I have Audio research with KT150s. At high volume, bass is all over the place. And it feels strange

@chewy560

Жыл бұрын

Which amp? I have Ref 75 with KT150’s.

@faludabutt8253

Жыл бұрын

@@chewy560 VSi75

@faludabutt8253

Жыл бұрын

And I am into drums, all types

💯🧡

Slippery slope to tubes rolling...

this or the Galion?

@ThomasAndStereo

Жыл бұрын

Buy both.🤣🤣

@latheofheaven

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo Oh boy... That is what the guy gets for asking that 😃

The 170 is a better sounding tube in every circuit we've used it in...

@klepp19

Жыл бұрын

Better than a SET 805a which produces 50 watts! Soul is 70 watts in Triode mode

@pranadistribution6033

Жыл бұрын

@@klepp19 the qualifier was that it was a KT type tube. Yes, I love a good 805 : )

@klepp19

Жыл бұрын

@@pranadistribution6033 ok thanks for the clarification!🙂