Tube amps that kick ass?

Thank you gentlemen. I will eagerly look into all three of those recommendations.

Thanks to all.

Ya, I should have mentioned the speakers that I am driving...

I have a pair of Vandersteen 5A's. And now that I think about this.... the 5A's have a powered sub woofer. Not that I didn't know this already.... I just didn't consider this fact when I wrote my initial post. So anyway, I guess the tube amps won't actually be helping much in that area - da.

The 5A's are rated at:

FREQUENCY RESPONSE
22Hz to 30kHz + or - 2dB

EFFICIENCY
87dB at 1 meter with a 2.83 volt input.

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER
40 TO 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms for the upper section, 400-watt subwoofer amplifier built in.

IMPEDANCE
6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum.

CROSSOVER
100Hz, 600Hz, 5000Hz and adjustable H.F., 6dB per octave.

My new dedicated sound room (theater and 2 channel) will be 17.5 feet wide by 22 feet deep.

Hello Rleff, I'm running Vandersteen 5A's.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE
22Hz to 30kHz + or - 2dB

EFFICIENCY
87dB at 1 meter with a 2.83 volt input.

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER
40 TO 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms for the upper section, 400-watt subwoofer amplifier built in.

IMPEDANCE
6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum.

CROSSOVER
100Hz, 600Hz, 5000Hz and adjustable H.F., 6dB per octave

Thanks so much to all who have responded.

Yes the GT-800's are going to be slightly out of my budget! but those are great pictures GD. Do you need anymore friends?

Keith

Yes Dan, you are probably correct - 50 watts of the right power might work. I like to turn my system up at times though and don't want it to strain when I do. I probably should have started a thread that was more specific to the Vandy 5A's. Maybe I will search to see if one has been started already. Thanks to everyone for such great responses.

Well, I did talk to the VTL people yesterday. There's an older 450 on Gon that I thought might be a good deal but it turns out the older 450 cannot be upgraded to the series 2 so...

I left a messsage with the Atma Sphere guy but haven't heard back yet.

I looked at the audio valve website - very nice - Germany made - I like that.

With these darn tube amps, though, I'd almost like to buy from someone in CA. Canary, VTL and Manley are all here in CA.

I don't know? Still look-in. Unfortunately, I have to work for a living too! Darn job gets in my way sometimes!

thanks for your help

keith

Thank you all for the great info. I am actively looking and studying my options. I love the passion but let’s all stay cool guys.