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Aric Audio? First Watt? PrimaLuna?

Looking to purchase a new amp.  Currently I have an Odyssey Khartoga SE.  Speakers: B&W 705s2, 88db.  DAC: Metrum Onyx using Coax from a Singxer SU-1 w/upgrades.  Using a Raspberry PI running MPD.  I have a fairly large collection of digital files.  Turntable is a EAT C-Major w/Lehman phono amp.  Aric Audio Unlimited preamp.

I am looking at an Aric Audio Transcend Push Pull, a First Watt J2, F6 or SIT-3, or a PrimaLuna DIaglogue Premium.  I have always wanted a tube amp and I definitely want to take my amp to the next level.  I feel it is the weakest link I now have.  I don't want a tube amp that I have to bias and I don't want to have to replace the power tubes every 2 years at $600 up.

Heat is a concern.  My "listening room" is my garage, unheated and uncooled except what I can get thru the kitchen door when the temps get above 90 or below 45.  Between those I tend to leave the garage door open as I love the sunshine.  So my components sit in a cabinet to protect them.  I can leave the door open and I have cooling fans in the cabinet.

The First Watt interests me and the sound, from what I have read, seems like what I want.  But then so do the tube amps.  So, I am looking for .....wisdom.  Yours specifically.  What are your thoughts? 

Thanks!
128x128jgoldrick

Showing 7 responses by jgoldrick

jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick OP
138 posts
 
Thanks rocray.  Can I ask what speakers you are using?

almarg, I was wondering about the power myself.  I rarely go over 12 noon on the volume.  I confess to not understanding this completely.  From what I have read 16w will produce 100db for 88db speakers.  Which is ....ok.  Not rocking out loud, but ok.  I read a review (audiophilliac) on the J2 where he used it  with 805D3's.  Similiar impedance from what i saw on stereophile.  But admittedly, I would HATE to plop down 3-4k and not have enough power.  Which is one reason why I posted.

Thanks to both!
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick OP
138 posts
 
Sorry, it was the F7, not the J2
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick OP
138 posts
 
Yep, the former. I park my wife's car in it at night and the other half is my shop/office.  Saws, benches, computer, etc.  Hence the cabinet for protection and my speakers are mounted high about a foot off the ceiling and a foot off the wall, also for protection,   and skewed slightly downward.  The environment is not the best, but it works.

Right now I have RCA 5751's in the Unlimited to keep the gain down.  I have the rear gain turned off the lower limit, but not by much.  I still generally set the volume between 9am - 10am.  If I turn the rear gain all the way down, the sound becomes flat and two dimensional.

I recently did a measurement with REW and a minidsp mike, but I have not taken that any further.  Honestly, I am not sure how to apply it to room treatments, so if there is a link with some noob info that would work, I would appreciate it.  I have thought about trying to setup a DSP (brutefir), but I haven't gotten any further with that either.  it would only affect the digital, as turning analog into digital and then back again somehow doesn't sit right with me.

I will contact Pass and Upscale Audio.  Good suggestion!

Hi lance, do run it in linear or triode mode?
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick OP
138 posts
 
Well, the First Watt is definitely out.  I never heard back from pass, but Moon audio and Reno Hi-Fi both said my speakers are not efficient enough.  Glad I asked on here and thanks for your wisdom. You saved me from a possibly expensive mistake.

I am looking at the xa25 Pass, but it's out of my price range. If I can't find it used I'll have to pass on that, pun intended!
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick OP
138 posts
 
Thanks, almarg.  I asked Reno HiFi what they thought and if they had one in my price range.  They do, but he says  

"My experience is that your speakers need an amp that is at least 60 WPC, as I mentioned previously. Through my own personal experience as well as the experience with my many clients who use these amps in their own systems, I agree with Nelson Pass’ power rating of the XA-25 amp. And when the amp is pushed beyond it’s official power rating, the amp doesn’t sound it’s best."

Hmmphh.


jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick OP
138 posts
 
Thanks All for the feedback.  I am still waffling.  Since these speakers seem to require a good dose of current, I am wondering if I want to stay on this path or head to the high efficiency path.  Which is a good thing.  If I decide to stay with the B&W's in the long run, then I need to stay with amps that can push them properly.  Otherwise, I need to consider different high efficiency speakers. 
At least, that is where my head is at right now!
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick OP
138 posts
 
t_ramey, got any suggestions?  My wife loves the B&W, if they aren't as good as those I will be in hot water.  The searches I have done don't bring up alot of efficient speakers and reviews are somewhat hard to find.
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