Recommendations for tube amp to replace Plinius

In my opinion, you are not going to be able to move three 12" (or are they 14", I don't remember) woofers very well with a low powered tube amp. You won't get a whole lot of bass out of them, as they require tons of current. I lived with the Focus since 1990, and have just recently replaced them. I was very close to getting a Manley Stingray for them, until I heard the two together. Thin, but great midrange.

I have heard the Plinius SA-102 and thought it was a great sounding amp. How does the 100 compare?

Thanks for your feedback. 1markr makes a good point about the current needed to drive the woofers. I guess I don't understand the practical application of the sensitivity rating. I've never heard the Plinius 102. The Plinius is a great amp, very pristine and good across the whole spectral range(highs to lows) but at times I feel its too analytical and I was hoping a tube amp would romanticize my system a bit. I think the real issue is my fascination with the low powered set and triodes. even though I've never heard them, I feel I'm missing out on something.

Unless you want to be a guinea pig, I think the best advice is for you to poll Legacy Focus users for what amps work best with these speakers. Use a subject line like "Best amp for Legacy Focus loudspeakers?". I think you would probably like the amps I am using, Atma-Sphere M-60's, but the 4 ohm impedance of your loudspeaker requires the use of a product called the ZERO autoformer to achieve good results. Paul Speltz, ZERO designer, would be a good source of information. His email address is listed at the ZERO site. The ZERO's can replace your speaker cabling. Used M-60's and new ZERO's will cost about $2,500-$3,000. Another excellent resources is the Atma-Sphere Owner's Group, obviously a site dedicated to Atma-Sphere products, but they will discuss other brands as well. There are a number of technically savvy users there that will give you good advice.

I have owned the Plinius SA-100 and now the SA-102. I have tried a number of tube amps but have felt the lack of dynamics and impact is too much loss. Please look up my review of the SA-102 here at Audiogon, I use it with a Placette active pre-amp, Sony SCD-1 and Dunlavy IVa speakers and am extremely happy. Major improvement over the SA-100, much more liquid and naturual while keeping the dynamics.

Hi Wellfed, sorry I missed you last time you where in town.