2. amps-preamps
  3. 147841-103178

Tube amp for JBL 4367

well its come to this guys... im keeping these speakers and would like a good tube amp...seems a toss up between the bob carver crimson 275 and the don sachs katooney amplifier
I feel like the bob carver is much more state of the art design, established amp maker. knows his stuff. has plenty of exclusive technology and a topology and design that is by far unique. i hear it is capable of 200w peaks, runs cool to the touch, and weighs a scant 20lb. which is a good thing if you ask me. i hate lifting heavy gear.
the katooney? well.. its using a tried and true design, yea? nothing special... I feel like don sachs is more of 'just a guy' using an older design, in a nice case. sort of get the impression that compared to bob carver, he's an absolute amatuer. im sure the amp is well made, but... somthing in my head tells me that bob carvers amp is just surperior? can the don sachs handle 200w peaks? i dunno...
but the don sachs has a LOT more reviews out there.
budget is about 3500-4000usd. and i will not be considering the mcintosh mc275. my preamp is a hornshoppe the truth.
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Showing 1 response by monoogan

monoogan
55 posts
 
I've never had good luck with JBLs and tubes. I have a pair of 4430s driven by an Audio Research Ref 110. Great speakers, great amp but the low end is either too loose or undefined. With a VT100 it was too thin. I worked for a guy who used MAC 275s on all kinds of JBL monitors and they were always clipping. I always figured it was the woofer tuning. These speakers have always worked great with a big solid MOSFET amp (Adcom GFA 5802).

Tubes and Altecs are a great combo from my experience. Get an ST70 and some Model 19s and you're done. Bigger tube amps are even better.

I'd like to know what happens if you get the Carvers. It's definitely a synergy thing.
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