UPDATE - I got an Almarro 318B 6c33c set amp and it is some-kinda-wonderful with the Druids. It tames music that was harsh with the DK. The bass is more full (fat?) but with less punch or impact that before but I will happily trade that for the clarifty and listenability in the mids and highs. Songs that are not pristine in their recording sound MUCH better that with the SS DK amp. Especially complex passages in some rock seem to unfold from a "traffic jam" of sounds to distinct music. This is my first tube amp and I am now seeing what I was missing. I could not be more pleased with the upgrade (more correctly a cross-grade as the amps are very close in price on Gon).
DK Design MK II as a preamp with Druid speakers?
I am shopping for a new amp and considering both intergrated and separates. I am currently using a DK Design MK II which is an integrated hybrid with a tubed preamp and a SS 150 WPC amp. I only need about 5 WPC.
I am considering using the preamp portion of the DK for some of my listening tests. It has preamp output jacks. I guess my question is whether the preamp in the DK is a reasonably good standalone preamp or if I should just buy a preamp for my tests. If I buy a preamp, I am considering a Modwright or a MiniMax. I just want to try sepaerates without having to purchase a preamp until I get some idea of the benefits.
I am running high efficiency speakers (ZU Druids at 101DB) and looking at these amps (some of which are integrated):
First Watt F1
Red Wine 30.2
Yamamoto A-O8S
Manley Stingray
Any ideas to add to my list would be appreciated. I want to stay around $2,000 used.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions
I am considering using the preamp portion of the DK for some of my listening tests. It has preamp output jacks. I guess my question is whether the preamp in the DK is a reasonably good standalone preamp or if I should just buy a preamp for my tests. If I buy a preamp, I am considering a Modwright or a MiniMax. I just want to try sepaerates without having to purchase a preamp until I get some idea of the benefits.
I am running high efficiency speakers (ZU Druids at 101DB) and looking at these amps (some of which are integrated):
First Watt F1
Red Wine 30.2
Yamamoto A-O8S
Manley Stingray
Any ideas to add to my list would be appreciated. I want to stay around $2,000 used.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions
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