2. amps-preamps
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Silicon Under 60, Slim Pickings?

I bought a tube amplifier because lower wattage SS amps are hard pickings. I'm driving FAL Flat Supreme S Speakers. 95db, 8W min tubes, 50W SS, max 60W

As daily driver a custom 8W Triode Lab EL84 amplifier, the sole valve amp I've liked(more assertive than the mean) ; however I'm thinking of returning to the silicon camp. My speakers are craving power and me a more tactile sound. I'm not a fan of the romanticism of tubes nor sand hardware voiced the same for that matter. Timbre top priority, sound-staging last.

The recent developments in Class-D have caught my attention but I feel left out; were I to mate a pair of 400W monos with my speakers there would be fireworks, no? What options do I have without exceeding 60w? My system is in a state of upheavel so I'm looking at anything between power amps to fully integrated DAC/Integrated. Perhaps a full Exogal Comet/Ion system but I'm concerned about the wattage again. That should give an idea of my absolute max budget wise. 3.5-4K Less is more.
redfuneral

Showing 2 responses by redfuneral

redfuneral OP
36 posts
 
Thanks for the recs so far, I'll dig in and do some reading.

I do have some vintage receivers on hand already; Sherwoods from 69' and 71' respectively. I'm not looking for something that needs restoration, I think I'll stay within the 21st century for this one.

I've grown up in the digital era; I'm used to newer tech making previous gen obsolete. How does the last gen of low power SS(gaincards mainly) compare to the newer stuff? I guess I just have a hangup on buying Pentium era tech.
redfuneral OP
36 posts
 
I have a tendency to fall into the 'latest and greatest' trap, I suppose that's part of what I'm struggling with here. Could I have some more opinions on exceeding my speaker's max power rating? I'd like to play it cautious with my speakers so if its risky I'll just stick to sub 60W. I could try one of the Audio Zone amplifiers; they were well received a decade ago. My concerns of sterility are simply limited to avoiding a 'thin' sound. My tube amp is far from sterile but cannot keep up with heavier genres of music resulting it sounding warm & thin.
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