Tube amps that can hande 4 ohmsl

There are several tube amps that can handle a four ohm load. I have a great deal of experience with the Wolcott Presence mono blocks, and assure you they will produce in excess of 200 watts per channel with no clipping, even at loads less than four ohms.

Atma-Sphere MA-2 tube OTL amplifiers have no trouble driving a 4 ohm load. I drive Avalon Eidolons, a nominal 4 ohm load, with this amplifier with great results. Generally, however, tube mplifiers will be happier with higher impedance speakers.

I have Aranov tubes on my Kef 4 speakers that are 4 Ohm. The Aranovs are noted for a good bottom end ....but I have a REL subwoofer also to help down low. Other than the Aranovs, many tube amps do have a specific setting for 4 ohms that will help match the load.

More important than the actual 4 ohm rating is the impeadence variance (i.e does the speaker drop to 2 ohms or even lower). Impeadence variance below 4 ohms can make things difficult for even the best amps. Efficency and design of speakers, and of course, power of the tube amp, also factor into the equation. -Lorne

David Berning ZH-270 otl definitely stable into 4 ohms, no problem. I am currently using them to drive Soundlab Pristine ll's with outstanding performance, the 270 can drive then up into the mid 90db's without strain and they drop down to at least 3 ohms. This is the only OTL on the planet that is able to actually increase its output power steadily as impedance drops. 70W@ 8 ohms (typical output power at onset of clipping 84W@ 8 ohms, 110W @ 4 ohm). This amp has the MOST drive and musicality of any amplifer I have ever heard. It also incredible bass output, unlike other OTL's.

Chris

More info on your specific needs would be helpfull. Most tube amps can handle 4 ohm loads; Tenor, Atma-sphere, BAT, Lamm, ARC, VTL, etc.

I think it really depends on the speakers.

My Totem Mani-2 speakers are also 4 ohms, and I am having excellent results with a pair of modded Altec 1570B tube monoblocks (170 wpc in triode).

the Conrad Johnson premier 8 has no problem whatsoever with Dunlavy 5's 4 ohm load at 110 dbc spl.

I use an Audio Research VT 100 Mk II to drive my Magnepan 1.6's with marvelous results.

VAC PA100/100 has 2,4 & 8 ohms taps and plenty of drive.

I HAVE A 30WPC (TRIODE/KT88) AUDIO ELEC SUPP (CARY) SUPERAMP SIGNATURE EDITION. IT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING 2 WAY STAND MOUNTED MONITORS FROM THIEL (NOTORIOUSLY HARD TO DRIVE) THEY ARE 4 OHM & DO DIP BELOW THAT. IT IS AN OK COMBO, BUT I HAVE A SMALL ROOM, & CAN'T PLAY AT CONCERT LEVELS IF I WANT TO. I WOULD SWITCH TO A LARGER, 8 OHM 3-WAY THAT IS EASIER ON TUBES, IF I CAN FIND SOMETHING THAT IS AS DETAILED & ACCURATE AS THE THIEL SCS3'S.

Mcintosh tube amps will handle any load.

i think any tube amp will drive a 4 ohm load.

The Kora Cosmos amplifiers are rated 100 watts class A triode from 2-12 ohm loads. Since I am a dealer I won't give you my site but Kora's direct. It is www.kora.net. We have driven speakers that dip as low as 1.5 ohms with these amps with no problems.

I have a Cary SLI-80 integrated driving Audio Physic
Tempo III's (4 ohms). The Cary has a 4ohm/8ohm switch
on the back to better match the load.

John.

Check out the Granite Audio 860.1 tube mono blocks -- they can handle any load and you can run them with out a pre-amp ---www.graniteaudio.com

stephen

Once again the Audiogon group has been fantastic. Thanks so much for your help, quick and lots to think about. I really appreciate the time you take to drop a comment.

As can the Premier 12's. I have them driving Thiel CS6's

http://www.condor-connection.org/asog/tweaks/ps/zero/story.html

Hybrid amps may be another safe bet. I'm using a pair of Blue Circle BC2s (hybrid - 75wpc Class A, with one 6SN7 tube per amp) to drive my Audio Physic Virgos, and they seem to do a wonderful job. I believe the CEO of Blue Circle uses the same amps to drive a pair of Martin Logans (can't remember the model) that are notoriously difficult to drive.
Cheers,
John.

What is important is the output impedence of the amp....kind of.

If the amp has a low output impedence, like the Sonic Frontiers, the frequency response will be more likely to stay flat in the areas where you have an impedence dip.

If the amp has a higher output impedence, you can get a little bump there. That may mean a bass that is a little fat...which can be a positive anyway.

If it were just about measurements, we would all own Aragon. And marry a Stepford wife. My wife is a little quirky, but that is what makes it interesting.