2. analog
  3. 1118396771

Tube amp to match sensitive Living Voice Speakers

I've had sage advise before and a little more would be helpful. I am pleased with my system and the last prospective change is a new power amp.
My System: Modded Shanling CDT-100
Origin Live Resolution/Illustrious/Koetsu Rosewood Signature
Creek T43 tuner
Conrad Johnson Premier 17 Pre
Pass Labs Aleph 3 power
Living Voice Avatar speakers
Acoustic Zen cables
The Avatar's are highish sensitivity, 94db and were designed around tubes and Kevin the designer is strongly pro tubes. The Aleph 3 is wondeful and I will keep it, but, slightly sweet, a narrow soundstage and lacks a little grunt.
There are so many tube choices, more than solid state, Push pull/ Single ended, Class A or A/B, tube choice, 300B monoblocks/ KT88/EL34/6550.
The obvious choice is a Conrad Johnson MV60 or SE, or Premier 11, to match the Pre and I may well go that way. Anyone any ideas? Particularly of course if you use living Voice speakers.I never buy new if I can and am looking to up spend up to $2000ish 2nd hand
I like most music, Blues, Singer Songwriters, classical and opera, so for the latter, I need something that can cope with a symphony orchestra. Thanks for any guidance
david12

Showing 5 responses by david12

david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
A thoughtful set of responses, the Welbornes and Canary look good and I will do a bit of research on the others. I forgot to mention, the wife has put her foot down and any new additions have to match the decor! Give me strength.
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
Thanks for all the advise, very helpful indeed. I was on the point of getting the Welborne lab SET monoblocks. I asked Kevin who builds LV speakers, he thought 8 Watts was not enough for all circumstances(crescendo of a Mahler Symphony) . He thoght 16 to 20 watts as SET or Push Pull was a better long term bet. A Viva Solista appeared on the Gon for $4000, in UK that would be $7500 2nd hand. I heard it at the recent UK High End show and it was remarkable, 18 Watts SET with 845 valves. It's an ugly brute, but managed to persuade the wife it was the best post industrial Italian design and it's on its way, hopefully. I will leave feedback in a few weeks as to the results
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
Flyingred.
your quite right, i was looking to spend $2000, but this is an integrated. In the UK I should be able to sell my Conrad Johnson Prem 17 for $3500ish and the Pass Labs Aleph 3 for$1200, so I should be pretty well cost neutral after shipping costs.
I was a little suprised by Kevin's advise too, he certainly said an 8 Watt SET would do, but would be a bit lacking in large complex music. As I said above, OK for a Jazz quartet, but not a large Verdi chorus where the structure and sounstage might break down.
Have you heard Viva amps? they seem quite impressive. I find it a little ironic, that its cheaper for me to buy an amp that has crossed the Atlantic and bring it back, than to buy in the UK. There is something rotten in the world of HiFi pricing, but you guys seem to come out best in the deal.
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
Yes the speakers are biwirable, but at 94db sensitivity, I am trying to keep it simple and low powered. I don't really have the room for Bi-amping
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
The Viva Solista integrated has arrived and is up and running. I heartily recommend it, 18 watts Class A SET using 845 valves, it has delicacy, far more drive than my Pass Labs Aleph 3, excellent base and of course a magical midrange. I certainly prefer it to 300B SET's I have heard before, with the proviso that I have not had one one in my system. As other threads have asked, why are'nt there more 845 tube amps? You avoid the light base of 300b's, seem to have, more drive and the tubes are cheaper, all be it without the wide choice. I strongly recommend the Viva amp to anyone making a similar choice to mine. Thanks for your advise
More to discover