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Amplifier Recommendations to Match the Tannoy GRF90

Hi Everyone,

I previously posted a very similar post, but it was about the Tannoy Westminster GR, and it appears that since, I have become a Tannoy adept. I have a second system which sounds real good, but the Westminster GR are just stratospheric, so I have opted for another pair of Tannoy, and I got a real good deal for the GRF90. The thing is that I have never heard them, but I got a fairly good description from the agent which is a well reputed and trustworthy person. From what he says, they are in the Prestige line, but do not play at all like the Prestige speakers. They are built and sound more like the Kingdom Royal which is top of the line; very dynamic, with a more nuanced bass and especially a very transparent speaker. They are 95dB.

My idea of sound is simple; it needs to have everything done very well - resolution, tones, imaging, soundstage, scale, rythm/timing, balance, and I particularly love attack and dynamics, which to me are essential because they bring the music to life!

My gears are Esoteric P-01X and D-01X for transport & DAC, Masterclock is Esoteric G-01X, preamp is Coincident Statement Line Stage.

Now I am looking for the fantastic amps, must be monoblocks, that will make the GRF90 go to full potential!! So, thanks a lot in advance for sharing your knowledge, views and experience, especially if you have or know well about these GRF90.

Tunefully yours,

128x128hddg
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

Sheer curiosity forces me to tag in here.

Its suprising to hear someone say VAC is more so about the mids than extension in either direction. This could be said of many tube amps I suspect. Sorry, just thinking out loud.

If SS attributes are an inclination, maybe something like the Pass labs 30s or 60s XA series. ??

Wouldn’t it be safe to say then the output tubes attributes might be the key when seeking a tube amp solution which yields better evenly distributed bandwidth presentation?

I can only say from EXP EL34 & the Russian output tubes BAT prefers aren’t what I would call great bottom end providers. Past those, I’m clueless as to which others can do better. I only suspect KTs may.

Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck.

hddg's avatar
hddg OP
123 posts
 
Thanks blindjim, i share those views... and Pass is actually in my thoughts. Tubes are nice, and i own some nice ones, but I've come back on them, except for smaller applications. In reliability, power, dynamics, attack, bass control, all versus their cost and put up against serious and well built SS, they seem to lose the battle, especially for bigger speakers and rooms.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
Your welcome.

I’m hoping to experience the antithesis of your account of Tube vs SS. Although I enjoy both amplification platforms. Depending.

My fantasy or groundless imaginations are that a pair of VAC IQ 200s or Burning OTL 200s should do the trick, given the proper loudspeakers. Meaning 93 – 95db. Or thereabouts in a not huge enclosed room.

Being less funded than imaginative I’d like to do it for less. Certainly. It is however why Tannoy has slid onto a speaker not terribly short list.

Somehow tubes and 93db speakers in a medium sized room presented everything the SS amps the tubes replaced demonstrated audibly. My recollections don’t account for degrees from one to the other. Only that everything presented by the SS power was as well delivered buy the tube amps. To my ears, the naturalness factor grew when listening to tube monos. Or at least it seemed that way.

I will admit I added a Velo DD15 after a while. Should have added two. But, then I like a very adept and strong bass presence, if there’s no overhang blurring the mids. It did not.

Lastly, the main theme I hear on the Pass Labs XA amps is the higher you go the less wet the sound. 30s being the juiciest. They sure ain’t slouches further up either as I’ve heard 100s, and some others above them.

Good luck.


cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
As you've probably read, Nelson Pass uses Tannoy's for a lot of his amplifier testing/voicing.  If you're thinking about going that way, you would be best served by emailing Nelson and asking for his recommendation (or Kent English @ PassLabs) for your particular model.  They will not just try to sell you on the most expensive model and don't care if you're buying new or used. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,230 posts
 
Hi hddg
I have very high regard for Coincident products and have owned their Statement Line Stage, Frankenstein (300b SET) and Total Eclipse II speakers for 8 blissful years.

You have a preference for solid state I realize but I think that the Coincident Dragon MK II could be an exceptionally good match with your Tannoys. My Frankenstein is superb sounding but wouldn’t be appropriate for what you are seeking.
Best of luck,
Charles ,

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