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Member's recommendations for tube amplification

Your thoughts on options to consider:

- I'd prefer SET (open to DHT but not a requirement).

- I'm not looking for overtly warm, romantic or lush options.

- Minimum power in the teens to twenties, 10W being the floor.

- Open to higher power push-pull amps, but let's limit ceiling to around 60W.

- Single ended is fine though having XLR inputs would be nice (doesn't have to be true balanced)

- I'm cool with single chassis or monos.

- I have preferences for tube types, but leaving it open ended to get broad recommendations.

- I'm currently running an all solid state system, though have had tube based systems built around ARC, BAT, Ayon, Melody, Pathos, etc.

- Preamp will be a Pass XP-20 or the Metrum Adagio DAC direct to the amp.

- I'd like to stay around 3K used but can push the budget to 6K new/used.

- Speaker sensitivity is 94dB and higher.

THANKS!
david_ten
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
 Also consider these Audio Note monoblock amps for sale; 
300b parallel SET monoblock amps. 

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649306274-audio-note-300b-parallel-legend/

Music Reference RM 10 would also be a sweet match with your DI speakers in my estimation.  Great little stereo amp that has proven itself as a winner for decades now.  
david_ten OP
5,480 posts
 
@larryi Thank you very much. Great points.

I understand the limitation of the 300B and it happens to be one of the tubes I haven’t been a fan of in the past.

I’m open to reconsidering since I keep reading how, in some implementations, designers are getting a more ’modern’ sound from their 300B amps.

In the case of one of my speakers (the Tekton Double Impacts; soon to be the SE version), based on what I’ve learned about it over the past six months, I believe a 300B amp will pair well, even a classically voiced 300B, and probably to my liking. Especially so if I’m driving it direct with the Metrum Adagio.

I like that there are many options in terms of 300B amp makers, availability, and for sale and resale.

I have a preference for 2A3, but the power output is a real concern. As you mention, a parallel design would likely meet my lower output threshold. Likely a pricier option and not as easy to get right, as you point out.

I’ll take a look at Synthesis and Audio Note as well as research the 6L6 amps.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
A pair of used Cary 805s would, I think, tic every box you've specified.
lancelock
1,085 posts
 
+1 on Linear Tube Audio. You can't go wrong and a ZOTL10 is all you would need but I would use a MZ2 with it.
david_ten OP
5,480 posts
 
@atmasphere   Ralph, Thank you very much for your thoughts and advice and direction.

I'm taking notes. : )  

Agreed on the higher powered push-pull solutions, but am also getting feedback to stick to SET from members who I respect and who have also tried different combinations with the speakers I currently have. Obviously, this comes down to personal preference which is why I have reached out for other options. I've had good experiences with push-pull amps in the past.

Your S-30 and M-60 are on my radar.


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