Let me know 1) What is your favorite tube and why? 2) Do you prefer push-pull or single-ended? 3) Do you like your tube amp? 4) Are you planning to try a tube amp in the future? Benefits of using tubes: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b8xlnLlpldCllWQ.html Here are some comments from Mr. Vintage that I left out from the video. Please keep in mind we are generalizing here. Mr. Vintage: For me, the biggest difference between Single-ended and push-pull design is the image (結像力), the SE is sharp like the Zeiss lens while the push-pull is a little loose by comparison. It was 6V6 that inspired me to enter the "tube world". The magic of the 6V6 tube driving a pair of Dynaco A25 could not be found on all my Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer, Kenwood...SS amplifiers. The 6L6 follows the footprint of the 6V6 but has blended in the flavor of the EL34. I find the 6L6 performs the best on the McIntosh 240 Poweramp and even today I don't think you can find another amp that surpasses the 6L6 of the Mcintosh MC240. The NOS 6V6GT tubes are still available and affordable, this is something I like to explore，I think its mid-range rivals the SE designs in Push-pull. The bass is a bit lean but it is tuneful and has a good definition.

Thomas, you are one of the great voices in the audio community. Your style and storytelling is so illuminating and unique. You should write a book- I bet it will be a best seller!

Thomas your a legend. I appreciate all your knowledge and how well you convey your message.

Can listen to you wax poetic on hifi gear all day. Thank you for your vlogs. Love them.

Great overview of some popular tubes. Thank you!

Thanks, Thomas, for laying this out at the beginner level, which is pretty close to the mark for me with tube amplifiers. Given the limited efficiencies of my speakers, I may not get to try tubes anytime soon despite my interest in them. Nonetheless, I appreciate how with all of your videos you show your reasoning as you inform and explain about the topic at hand. Knowing more about things, even those I may never buy or experience, is allowing me to better understand how my system components work together and choices to be made as I look to improve or add to what I have.

As a “newbie” to the world of Tube amps, I must say that this video is incredible. I learned so much and at least have a base to begin investigating what is right for me. I am looking forward to binging through the rest of your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of information in a very clear and concise manner

Great video Thomas! Keep your stories/opinions/approach videos coming! Love tubes!

I have been looking for a video like this for a long time. Very, very informative. Thanks!

Fantastic. Thank you. Clear, conscience, insightful. Much appreciated

Great video - the categorization of sound differences helps those beginning/already in a tube journey.

This is fantastic information for an audio enthusiast that understands personalities of different amps. I have never had a tube amp before and had no idea where to even begin. Thank you so much for explaining.

I found this presentation to be very informative and offering key points on what to consider before purchasing a tube amp. The vast world of tubes and their combinations can be overwhelming and again you help us so very much. Thank you.

Absolutely brilliant Thomas, this video is very close to my heart as I am on this tube Journey with you. I will say that having a sensitive speaker opens up lots more options and should be a careful consideration.

I am learning about amps little by little. It's so hard when you do not have access to different types of amps to know what you like or dont like, without of course experimentation, which can be prohibitively expensive. As I take my second foray into tubes I am trying to read and watch as many videos as I can, but there's no substitute for having the item in your home hooked up to your equipment. I very much look forward to your video on the R800i

I use the Primaluna prologue pre amp running Mullard gz34 & Mullard CV4003 12AU7 valves paired with a Plinius RA 300 solid state power amp running into Focal Sopra 2 speakers ... Changing to NOS tubes made a huge difference , All going well so far , Thanks Thomas for an excellent audio channel that's very informative ... 😎

The whole tube-thing is new for me. I purchased a Leben CS300 and replaced it by the CS300f . I can tell these are different! Thanks for your interesting video, I did learn a lot.

I like your sober or matter of fact approach very much!

All you reviewers are making tube amps the hot product of 2021!!!!

I very much enjoyed this video. A simple breakdown of a topic too often guarded by high brow practitioners.

Nice job of finding an interesting angle and explanation of the overwhelming experience of listening to so many reviewers and their personal opinion on a vague subject . ( the norm in hiring?) As always a great informative listen . This should be a amplifier 101 even before they start listening to individual reviewers . Especially with resurgence and popularity of tube integrated amps .

Just found your channel. I have zero experience with tube amps and this was extremely enlightening.

Power content. Learned a few things today. Thanks for sharing!

dang, you do a great job explaining these. super glad to have found your channel!

What an insightful video! Thank you!

Thank you for such a clear explanation of these concepts - it’s really helpful!

Excellent summary! 😁

Hi Thomas Great introduction for tube amplifiers thanks

Thomas! What an awesome video. Well done, sir

Love the Stories Thomas…. Thank You.

Great video! So useful for Tube newbies.

Love your work, Thomas.

Triode TRV-88SER is my long-term tube amp…beautiful vocals, meaty bass and looks to die for!

Hi Thomas, when getting into my decision/making process on a new amp about 5 month ago, I watched literaly all of your videos and pretty much enjoyed all of those - same with this video. Ultimately, I ended up with a Line Magnetic LM-211, one of the smaller verisons of LM, running EL34 in push pull. And yes, I have been close to purchase one of these 805 or 845 tube single ended monsters, but was ultimately kept back from both price in Germany and heat dissipation (0.5 KW !) which would heat up my listening room too much during summer. But to my huge surprize, the sound I am getting with my Sonus Faber Cremona V1 is so great, sweet, and yet dynamic that I do not want to go back to solid state. Yes, I agree with you that its ultimately about tube type and curcuitry preference - but, the first move is to go from solid state to tubes at all! And, for most whoalready have speakers that ar capable for tume amps this step will be a quantum leap! So, thanks for all your great videos and your unrivalled way of explaining things!

Great video Thomas. As an avid user of tube amps for guitar, I'm thinking about buying one for my audio rig. You have such a clear way of explaining things, I always learn tons from your work. Thank you for sharing your experience with us newbies.

Wow, i finally found a guru that will guide me on my journey to the world of vacuum tubes. Thank you very much for the great video!

Very good categorizing!!!!

I get most of the pleasure of experimenting HiFi..... Without having to spend any money. Thanks for getting me through the pandemic

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I'm currently buying my first tube amp, so this is timely. I went with the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III (arriving in about 2 weeks), but overall still not sure what my tastes are in tube sound. I also have on order a Doge 10 (sounds like their next ship date is somewhere at the end of Sept... maybe) and thinking of keeping my order in and comparing once I receive it. I wish there was some "try and buy" program so we could all listen to various amps in our own setup, but your videos have been very helpful for me.

Thank you. Very insightful

Nice info. Will put on hold in purchasing the MC ma352. Waiting for more your review.

Thank you very much for this video, been thinking about dipping my toes into tubes.

Great video Thomas. Keep up the interesting topics of conversation. Kt150 !!!

From Spain my favorite reviwer... to categorize is what i spect from a review. Sold my Naim gear and keeping my Reisong A10 but I feel to need to uograde but keeping in Class A single ended... very easy to listen in fact

This was very helpful. Thank you very much.

Wow! Really useful information and presented in a very good way. Thank you!

Just discovered this channel and love it. Subscribed.

Great well balanced information Thomas very much enjoyed this video.

Well this was helpful. Have never had a proper tube amp what I have had is known as a crappy tube amp. Always wanted to do it right helpful video!

Great reference video. I have no experience with tubes, so this helps if I ever decide to go down that road👍

Yes i agree classical and opera sound good on single end good stuff.

Thank you Thomas, very helpful video!

Well done ! I ended up with a Made in USA SET amp can run Triode or Ultralinear mode as well as autobiases EL34 and KT88 tubes.. Best of all worlds !!!

Thank you Thomas!

i had a single-ended amp many years ago and felt it was quite clean sounding

Great video. The simple distillation into 3 key points drove home an important message. While I use tube amps now for 8 years, I have only used the same amps. I got lucky and like it. But many tube amps I hear at audio shows I do not like. It will be interesting next time for me to keep your 3 things in mind when I got to the next show and see what my preferences are. I think an evolution could be to bi amp or tri amp so you can use SE class A for mid and hi and KT150 PP for low end.

Awesome vid Thomas I have 2 amps one a Yaqin and Conrad Johnson one triode and Pentoide and your right its about taste so keep up your awesome vids bro cheers

Thoroughly enjoyed your video. I'm looking to buying a tube amp. Cheers from New Zealand.

I’m finding the importance of finding and using quality tubes , huge in dictating the listening experience . Many of these amps come with bottom end tubes not even correctly biased . That is a huge topic in itself .

Bought the Reisong A10 a year ago, my first tube amp. Tom is right, great midrange but lacked bass & punch for me. Bought the Willsenton R8 OMG! what a difference! This one is a keeper! Have no intention of trying something else. Exceeded my expectations Very Very happy! Best sounding Amp I ever owned over 50 years of being a audiophile.

EXCELLENT VIDEO !!!

Hi Thomas single ended with active bass, could have stayed in that room all day, Manchester hifi show, about 10 Yr ago... Now give us good choice of speakers to go with these lovely amplifiers.. Thanks Thomas,, regards Antony Warrington..

Excellent video and thank you so much for the knowledge.

You are intriguing me to want to try tubes. I'm not sure if I will prefer over class ab solid state but I'd like hear the difference for myself. Thanks for the great information Thomas

I solved all the issues to do with tube amps by sticking with very good solid state amplification and realizing that, as long as all the system components produce high quality accurate, neutral sound, the greatest influence on sound quality are the source recordings.

nice review Thomas.Something folks should consider with push pull is how essential good tubes are in the phase inverter stage.a good tube such as GL 12au7 can make a difference.In many ways the phase inverters are the "heart "of a push pull circuit.

I'm still running the Tube Amp from my Granddad the only thing I have done is replaced the caps and the Tubes :) This Amp drives my Urei 809 Speakers. Thank you for your video!

thank you for your videos.. i prefer the push and pull. i have a caying 55 valve amp and synchrony psb1speakers.

Thnx man, very much appreciated!

I went for firstwatt mosfet amps because it sounded more correct than my old tube amp, but it was a bit dry. So I built the Korg Notube B1 preamp with flouredcent calculator tubes for more second harmonics.

You know Thomas, watching your videos, I got into tube preamp few months ago then ordered a tube amp from Cayin last week and they are still on the way, they came with EL34 and I have ordered some KT88 to play around with. With this video, its like now I have to get another single ended ones to hear out the PURE thing that you talking about.

Thank you this video helped allot!

Great info. Thank you.

Thanks for you vidéo Thomas it’s very instructive! From reviewer to professor! Lol ;)

This was very helpful. I have been looking at tube amps for over three years now and I just can't make myself pull the trigger.

My favorite tube is the EL34b in the Reisong A10. I prefer single ended amps or Class A amps. I absolutely love my Reisong A10. The sound is absolutely beautiful and the quality and detail put into this unit is outstanding. This is the best amp I’ve owned thus far and I will never buy a solid state amp again. For me this is an entry level amp and I am seriously considering buying a more powerful tube amp again. I really appreciate Reisong as a company because they share their schematics and as an electronics hobbyist I find this educational. I also am grateful how this company has made this technology financially accessible to everyone. Thank you for your excellent commentary !

Back in the day I purchased Carver Silver 9Ts. That was an obscene amount of money back then! My 9Ts power my ol’ school Polk SRA-SDS 1.2tls (also run two (2) Velodyne FSR-18 subs). Every 5 years I have the amps serviced (cleaned, replace all tubes, etc), which I have done for the past 30+ years. The 1.2tls (I am the original owner) have been restored. My 9Ts still sound amazing! Yes, I own old equipment but my ol’ school gear still images beautifully. Now that my financial position has improved, I can afford to pay cash for new gear. I recently purchased a Sony XBR-77A9GG OLED tele, an ATV 4K and two (2) SVS PC-4000 subs. Next will be Polk L800 (with L900’modules). Have not decided on an amp or processor. People shit on me because my commitment to Polk. My ears like Polk and that’s all that matters to me.

Brilliant... wish I have all those toys to experiment too!! :)

I've been lusting after the LM 508ia for ages - game recognizes game - you're excitement for the R800i is a give away 😄

Number # 1 advice from a Tube owner, make sure your Air Conditioner is big enough to cool your Tube Gear! :)

Thanks for this Thomas, next year I will buy my first tube amp for my klipsh speakers. Im leaning towards a r8 el34 but you're upcoming studies may help me here. Either way I learnt a lot today about push/pull and single ended.

Loved your tube amp breakdown Thomas! That Willsenton R800i at 48 watts per channel truly sounds special. I had no idea it had that amount of wattage. Unfortunately I can’t afford a $2400 amplifier. Keep the videos coming!

Thomas man, a decade ago I was a guitar player who played guitar tube amps for 30+ years and was starting to build my first hifi. A tube integrated was the logical choice but the choices seemed to be really cheap and unreliable stuff or super expensive stuff. What you have done this past year in highlighting good quality mid priced tube gear would have been SO amazing for me at the start of my hifi journey!!!!!!! I know that many people entering the hifi journey will absolutely have a wealth of info that was not available to me a decade ago. Your tube series of reviews is truly a great contribution to the community!!

Single ended triode on the tweeter, pure class A solid state on the midrange, and Solid state Class D on the bass , tri-wire configuration! Got it!!

Thomas...really great and useful presentation..BTW...I have in my "A system" SET tube amp over 20 Years..."B system" is with solid state amp...Both systems sound beautiful ...but quite different...Best regards

Favourite Tube 845 Push Pull Class A, tube rolling to PSVANE was the right decision. Very happy. Amps are Cary 211 Mono Blocks 75 watts

I have the Cub7, it is a 3.5w single-ended integrate amp. It's driven a pair of Triangle Bro 3, it can get to 85db of volume.

My VAC PA 100 100 TUBE AMP is push pull altralinear and weights in at 78 lbs l bought it back in 1995 along with a ARC LS15 tube pre amp They are still going strong after all these years!The VAC came with Golden Dragon KT 88's I just recently replaced them with the Golden lions KT 88's as per VAC recommendations I've always loved this amp/pre amp combo and hopefully they will out last me

Nice video! I have a Woo WA6 SE single ended headphone amp, and love it. The main sonic difference is with the rectifier tube, splurged for a WE422; tried pretty much all signal tubes, and differences are much more subtle, currently have a 13DE7 (I believe that's the type). I also have tubes in phono stage (EAT eglo petite) and in my new preamp (PrimaLuna EVO 300). Just got it a month a go, so still exploring. Again, rectifiers make more of a difference, and it has no power tubes, but much better soundstage and 3D imaging. Also love the PL300 for clarity and 3D presentation. I did not go for tube power amp, as output resistance/damping factor is typically very poor, e.g., on the PrimaLuna DF of 1-2! and that leads to sound coloration with (variable impedance) speakers (two resistor voltage splitter). So went solid state (have a PassLabs XA-25 in production). When it comes to tubes, I would not only focus on the power tubes, but also rectifier and signal tubes (12AU7, 12AX7, etc). Going separates gives you the best of both worlds: tube pre, SS power. For low power amps like headphone, one can use tubes in a "power"-amp. my 2c.

Lookin foreword the review. The WilsentonR8 was my first “ new” tube amp and I have a 10watt L84 based vintage amp. The old amp whispered in my ear years ago that “ hey , this what you want”. The R8 has let me know “ that old amp was right”. When I move up, it will be the bigger Wilsenton. Guess I’m a “ tube guy” now.. happy to be here:)

Hello Thomas, First let me say that I absolutely love your honest, straightforward, no-nonsense equipment review style and highly anticipate your tube amplifier reviews. You have taught me more than I ever imagined I'd learn about tube amplifiers (pre & Integrated) while simultaneously raising more questions than I'd ever thought I'd have. I'd truly appreciate and be eternally grateful for even a bit of assistance in pointing me in the right direction concerning my next (forever) tube amp purchase. I know you're bombarded with tons of questions and requests for gear recommendations from those who provide little to no information related to their listening environments, styles or tastes, so I've tried to provide as much info as possible related to my personal tastes and listening environment. The amplifiers I'm considering (because of you Lol - except the Mc) are below: Cayin CS88 tube integrated amp Cayin CS100 tube integrated amp Cayin CS 150 tube integrated amp Cayin CS845A Doge 10 tube integrated amp McIntosh MA 352 The music I intimately listen to (15x20 sq ft space) at mostly low to moderately loud volumes (80-85db max) is mostly acoustic, smooth jazz, lots of vocals and old R&B (Boney James, Fourplay, George Howard, Gregory Porter, Boz Skaggs, Lalah Hathaway, Diana Krall, Otis Redding, Gladys Knight) to name a few. The speakers I've chosen are the new Buchardt S400 MkIl. They are (per reviews) slightly more refined in the areas of top end, bass, soundstage and depth and are a bit less forward in overall presentation than the original. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rtCAfM96zc2mpYE.html (From your brother in arms Lol!) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gaiTf8mLpq3NaXU.html (Another solid review) Lastly, I'm looking for a combination of at least Most of the following attributes in my final amplifier choice: 1. Smooth, silky, sweet (not "syrupy" or overly bright) top end 2. Great bass handling - speed, punch & definition 3. Holographic presentation 4. Great soundstage 5. Depth of field/ soundstage (not in your face) 6. Power enough to effortlessly drive the Buchardts @ 88db sensitive to moderate volume levels Lastly, I know that you may not have the time or let's be honest, the desire to respond to my post. However, as I can't locally audition any of the above amplifiers, except for the Mcintosh, I highly value your expertise and opinion. If you can and do decide to respond with a recommendation, I understand that it would be totally subjective & based on your tastes and experiences with each amplifier and for that, I would be eternally grateful. Thank you in advance Thomas and my sincerest apologies for such a long post. All the best and have a great day and weekend! Gene

Great video. But I must say that the power and output transformers play an enormous role as well. The weight of similarly constructed tube amps can reveal which has the generally better output transformers. I used to have the hot rodded 'original' version of the Willsenton R800i (Line Magnetic LM805IA). It comes with better build than the Willsenton but with cheaper tubes. It still sounds better. Both have a grip over the bass drivers and a finesse over the mids and treble that push pull can't offer at anywhere near the same price. Think double the price just to be in the ballpark. I demo'd my LM805IA against the PrimaLuna EVO400 Integrated and, even with hotrodded NOS tubes, the PL EVO got demolished in every genre. It was an absolute runaway victory when I used NOS tubes in the LM805IA. No bass amps being discussed here, but these big radio transmitter SET tubes (805, 845, 211) do things that push pull amps just can't. Period. End of story.

I have a Reisong A-10 tube amp. I live in a mobile home and have it in a very small spare bedroom contacted to Klipsch RM 600s. It sounds great whether thru the phono or cd.

Thanks Thomas!

I like both SE and PP.. It all depends in the overall design and implementation.. For relatively higher powered SET, I like the GM70 more these days than the 845 or 211 types.. For micropower I like the 45, 46, or 50 directly heated triode.. Those are just samplings of output tube preferences for SET using directly heated triodes.

I purchased the A12. Found the sound a little veiled at times. Rolled in some NOS Flying C 34’s and new TungSol 12AX pre. Stupid good sound- very clear with good recordings ( running with Klipsch RP600M) these are still breaking in but really amazing details and separation for a budget kit. Have a sub in line as well which helps fill in low end. I’ll tweak now- cables will be first- building my own- too cheap to fork out crazy money🤫

now for a serious tube related comment.my first tube amp i aquired in the 1980's.it was a kit amp from heathkit.i obtained it used so someone else built it.this amp had 6l6gc tubes in it.i remember how much i loved that thing.just to add i was a teenager at the time.my taste has changed a bit since then.the last tube amp i owned was a few years back.it had el84's driven by a single 12ax7.the sound of that thing was sublime.i do have 98db efficent speakers.so i can slide by with low power.i think the next piece of tube gear im going to try.it is defo gonna be a schiit audio freya+.

Great video.

Love these kind of vids Thomas. I think these educational insights are what separates you from the many reviewers out there. One thing I would add to this title is the cost and access to tube rolling. You can end up spending more on replacement tubes than the cost of the amp itself. That's one of the reasons why I like my Doge 10 and the kt-88. Not too expensive to replace.

Thanks Thomas for all you do for us. One thing we could get your advice on - if bass definition is important, rather than bass punch, along with the airiness of high-end. What amps should we be looking at? Is this where we should look at single ended? We should also be looking at EL34? Speakers are 90db efficient, listen at 60-70db max. Bloated bass must be avoided at all cost.