Member's recommendations for tube amplification


Your thoughts on options to consider:

- I'd prefer SET (open to DHT but not a requirement).

- I'm not looking for overtly warm, romantic or lush options.

- Minimum power in the teens to twenties, 10W being the floor.

- Open to higher power push-pull amps, but let's limit ceiling to around 60W.

- Single ended is fine though having XLR inputs would be nice (doesn't have to be true balanced)

- I'm cool with single chassis or monos.

- I have preferences for tube types, but leaving it open ended to get broad recommendations.

- I'm currently running an all solid state system, though have had tube based systems built around ARC, BAT, Ayon, Melody, Pathos, etc.

- Preamp will be a Pass XP-20 or the Metrum Adagio DAC direct to the amp.

- I'd like to stay around 3K used but can push the budget to 6K new/used.

- Speaker sensitivity is 94dB and higher.

THANKS!
david_ten
Hi Larryi,
As usual good and well written perspective.  I honestly believe that clio09 did very effectively point out the potential variables and compromise inherently present in these situations.  He clearly recognizes and described his positive experiences with lower power SET without extrapolating to make this a given outcome for everyone else. 

Maybe it's just me but I thought his reply to Bill was very well explained. 
Charles 
It was well explained and that is clear. Just not sure why he made the hybernation comment and got upset. Are folks even reading, really reading posts here anymore? 
I am sort of in agreement with clio09 about the possibility that someone may be satisfied with the result; it all depends on the specifics, such as how easy a load the speaker is, type of music, how loud one listens, how large is the room, and most importantly, what compromises one is willing to make.
Just to be clear I do like to play things louder and always have. I used to play bass in several orchestras and orchestras play loud a lot. If I put on Wagner's Das Riengold (Solti Decca LP) I want the event to come off as if its happening. Its not just head banging (although I do that too).

@grannyring I'll contact clio09 and let him know you meant no harm.
Note that generally hibernation starts much later in the year as winter approaches, allowing for the appropriate amount of body fat storage. 
And here I thought I was asking a simple question. : )

 @grannyring  @clio09  @charles1dad  @larryi  @atmasphere 

Thanks to all for the vigorous discussion. It has been immensely helpful. It's good to be back in school. 

I've followed convention and general norms on the issue of how much power is "right" by speaker sensitivity, etc.

Terry's findings with the LTA MZ2S with the Double Impact were difficult to accept when he first posted them. It's obvious it worked for him, his music choices, listening levels, his room, etc. though he did augment with slightly more power, though much lower than those 'norms' would dictate. Others followed and tested the same with replicated results, but also acknowledged that a few more watts of power was advisable.

It appears that there are clearly exceptions to the 'rule' and perhaps more than we would think or have tried. @clio09 's example being one that really stands out. Finale another. LTA/Triode one more, etc. etc. based on very specific speaker pairings from yours and others' posts in this thread.

In my case, your posts and the back and forth have made me much more comfortable taking a "risk" with a lower powered SET amp. That's good news, I think,...though it does widen the choices to consider. 

I'm looking forward to @teajay reporting on the Double Impact SEs ... his take will likely help and direct a possible choice. 

No decisions as of yet. I've had to start a Google Sheet to keep track of all the amp choices and who made the recommendations so I can reach out more specifically when I get closer to doing so.

Having the Pass XA-30.8 makes the wait very easy.

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If there are other recommendations out there, please post!!!