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CAT or VAC for Shahinian Obelsik

I'd like to refute that prevailing wisdom that Shahinian speakers need high powered solid state amps and find a tube amp to drive my Obelisks. I was first considering the new VAC 160 Standard musicblocs - 160w per side using 4 KT88s. I've since found a possible deal on a CAT JL2 - my sense is the CAT would drive the Shahinians pretty well. Even though the CAT is rated at 100w I suspect it's a pretty imperturbable 100w. I'm leaning towards the CAT - seems like it would be a "last amp" purchase (actually very likely in this case). Any wisdom from the CAT and/or Shahinian experienced? System is Calypso, Modwright 3910, will have analog soon.
Thanks
samcclark

Showing 1 response by gregm

gregm
3,395 posts
 
The CAt has hi bias (it's class partly/mostly?). It should be able to drive most modern speakers (i.e. +88 db spl)perfectly well.
That said, I don't know the vac or the new obelisks (if any different). A pair of old ones sounded fine driven by a jl2 -- not very balanced (positioning) but that wasn't the cat's fault.
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