2. amps-preamps
  3. 189210-15206

Looking for 50-100 watts of Tube Power (give or take) for my JBL 4349s

I’ve been looking at new and used 50-100 wpc power amps in the $5000 range to drive my JBL 4349s. I don’t have any experience in this price or power bracket when it comes to tubes, and could use some reccomendations.

Here are the amps I’ve been researching (the usual suspects I assume):

Rogue Stereo 100

Cary CAD-120s Mk2

Audio Research Reference 150SE

Audio Research VT80SE

Carver Crimson 275

Various vintage Corad Johnson amps

I’d love to hear why people would choose one of the amps from this list, or what else I should consider that isn’t on the list. I don’t have a preamp yet but will probably try a Benchmark la4 first.

For context, my main amp right now is a Torii Jr, but I also use the 4349s with a Muzishare X7 and a Denon PMA-1700NE. I love the Torii Jr and will continue to use it, but would occasionally like more power. The Muzishare is fine, but I want something of better quality.

My musical tastes are all over the place: rock, pop, jazz, world, electronic, classical. I listen to a lot of symphonic/orchestral music and would like more power to handle the dynamics, but prefer the soundstaging of tubes.

Thanks in advance for the recommendations!

 

 

rischa
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,598 posts
 

Get the vac this us an extraordinary amplifier that can drive jbls plus many other loudspeakers 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
890 posts
 

Also another vote for a Rogers High Fidelity EHF-100 MK2 Tube Integrated Amplifier LIFETIME WARRANTY can be had for less by calling them. Ebay takes 13% Hint.

And this Air Tight ATM-2 Power Amplifier Tube Type High Power Amplifier  would be great too.

rischa OP
64 posts
 

Thanks to everyone for the additional reccomendations -- I will look into them all.

@auroravengeance, I was checking out the Lab 12 gear the other day -- looks really nice. I'm hoping to check them out at Axpona next month. I know they were there in previous years.

@yoyoyaya, ideally I would have the preamp sorted first, but I've been using integrateds for the last 12 or so years and don't have a power amp on hand to test preamps. I'll have to get pre and power sorted together this time, unless I decide to stick with an integrated.

rischa OP
64 posts
 

There is a used LTA Z40+ integrated available local to me. I haven’t heard these in person but have read they’re great amps.

Any thoughts on a Benchmark la4 with Audio Research VT80SE vs the LTA Z40+?

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,605 posts
 

I’m open to the idea, but I use to run a Decware CSP2+ in front of an Odyssey Khartago, and I don’t remember this combo having the soundstaging of a good tube amp.

@rischa There are now some solid state amps (class D even) that cast a sound stage every bit as good as the best tube amps, while also being relaxed in the mids and highs, ceding no advantages to tube amps at all.

So if you want, you don't have to give up any sound quality while also not having to worry about finding good replacement power tubes.

The impedance and phase angles of this speaker allow it to be an easy load for most amps other than the need for power. You will need some power though; IMO 100-150 Watts should be good in most rooms; the measured sensitivity is a bit lower than what is stated on JBL's website.

 

 

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