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Tube amps for classical music FU29 vs EL34

I'm not familuar with the sound of different tubes/tube amps. I have a a Jadis intergrated has 4 KT90's, and has a good sound, but the speakers limit the amp. Soon to be rectified, new speakers with a 87db rating late this summer. But I'd like to get another amp for primary system, keep the Jadis for a second system. I'm looking at 2 tube amps, one has 4 EL34's the other 4FU29's, both intergrated amps. I'm guessing the EL's will sound like the KT90's, and have more bass end. But with classical, I can forgo some "punch". The FU's look like it may offer more complexity in the mids, for orchestration and vocals/opera. Right track?
bartokfan

Showing 2 responses by gregm

gregm
3,395 posts
 
I agree with Mwilson above. To add to sound characteristics, the generic EL34 is usually more "neutral" than the 6550 (that's warmer). I don't know the FU29.
OTOH, I'm not sure about getting away with 2xEL34/channel...
For classical, you need detail and dynamic capabilities and energy. Room acoustics aside, speaker specs should be considered carefully: yr 87db spkrs will give a nominal ~70-75 db at listening position. A ~45W/channel amp should yield (nominal again) ~16db (spl) swings from 1W before clipping...
i.e. ~86-90db at listening position before clipping. Not much!
I'd suggest more efficient spkrs for the amps under consideration.
Finally, a side question: why relegate the Jadis to a 2nd system? Is it the Orchestra? It's a good amp, and expensive to improve upon! (IMO, etc)
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Considering the Thor's impedance curves, it would look like a stronger (than ~40W) tube amp is needed. I would wait to get the speakers and try them out using the existing Jadis as a reference point. Cheers
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