Devore 0/96 - Integrated AMP help

@gestalt, is there any place in NYC area that I can audition the NAF, am super curious about the 2A3 that is raved about as the ideal combo with O/96s by someone in WBF.

I have push-pull 300b, Nagra 300p, that works quite well with my O/96. That being said I have been tempted to get a SET amp for these speakers. Don't go for any SS other than Accuphase IMO. My E-650 Accuphase also works quite well with these amps, some others didn't. And its plus point is tone controls, loudness compensation etc for night listening and bad records.

If I were to do it all over again. I would get the Luxman LX380, it would give me tone controls etc, as well as the tube goodness of 6L6. Recently heard it, it sounds amazing too, and looks gorgeous, pics don't do it justice.

I don't think amplifiers should be judged by weightage.

In fact it should not be a factor at all. I don't understand why amp manufacturers and buyers keep touting that as if it is a good thing. I see it as a negative: hard to move around, transport, re-sell, breaks your back etc etc.

If someone can produce same SQ at half the weight, that should be highlighted not that an amp weights 100lbs, I am not buying grocery. More weight is not better.

What I love about Nagra is that their products are petite but super high quality sound and built like a Rolex. Transformer design matters more than weight. Nagra's transformers are built in-house.

If Nagra can built superlative 300b amp at 10kg and NAF takes 35kg to built their best PP 300b amp, who is better at design and execution?

35-10 = 25kgs of aluminium only costs 30$ :)

@crandell25

Accuphase E-650 really took me by surprise, I have never liked SS amps before this (except a megabuck integrated - Technical Brain). It has great tonality of a tube, and amazing bass of an SS. It is still breaking in, so will have to wait a few more months before I can say anything with confidence.

I took the risk it because I found a user from this forum who switched from Shindo separates to Accuphase SS for this Devore O96 and claimed that he didn't missed the Shindos at all (BTW Shindo/Devore is a well know synergistic pairing). Then I got an home audition, and then bought it.

My amp is still breaking in, and if it opens up as I suspect it would in the next few months, I think my Nagras might get sold :)

Of course the Accuphase is not as sweet as the Nagra 300p but .... if I decide not to have two amps, I might sell it.