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Tannoy Speaker Owners

I have Tannoy DC8Ti speakers.  I'm planning to retire sometime this year, and want to try tubes before I do. I'm wondering what amps, tubes or otherwise, other Tannoy owners have. I'm only interested in power amps.  I've tried the Tannoy's with each of my three solid state power amps: Pioneer SPEC-4 (~36 years old) ; McIntosh MC2600 (~ 25 years old); and NAD M22v2 (1 year old). The NAD sounds best in my system: wider sound stage with better instrument separation, timbre, musicality, detail, etc.  

My current system:  Herron VSTP-3A(r02) pre amp, NAD M22v2 power amp, Innous Zenith MKII media player, Small Green Computer i7 for Roon DSP, Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE DAC, Parasound JC3jr phone pre, and Technics SL-1200G TT w/ Ortofon Quintet Black.

My listening room is small ~13'x12'x8'.  I listen to contemporary jazz (no John Coltrane , Miles Davis, etc) and old school R&B (none of today's Hip Hop or Rap).  I love vocals (e.g., Gregory Porter, Diana Krall, Angela Glaupo, Randy Crawford, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Chicago); non-vocal music (e.g., The Crusaders, Arne Domnerus, Brad Mehldau, Dave Grusin, Stanley Clarke) and the combination of both (e.g., War, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Santana).

I'd like to audition whatever I buy in my system.  I'd prefer to start looking at amps that others are using. My budget is ~$7500, and I'm in no rush.

I'm not opposed to used, and there are several deals on agon at the moment. In particular a Zesto Audio Bia 120 that is about 60% below retail.  In my area, there are several high-end audio stores and independent manufactures that produce high-quality / reference grade components.  I realize there's the usual suspects (Cary, Rogue, PrimaLuna, Luxman, etc.).  I also plan to visit the local manufactures.




oldschool1948
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948 OP
510 posts
 
David,

Thanks for the specs.  Why didn’t I think of that :-)!

Unlike my youth, I now keep my listening levels low to moderate. I’m just trying to enjoy the music.  My “rock the house” days are long over.

The NAD pushes the Tannoy’s with ease.  I have the NAD gain set to low and the Herron gain set to high. In my near field listening position, I get a nice bass response with great vocals and crisp highs.  I don’t want to loose any of that with a tube amp, and I’ve read that Class D amps have a deeper bass than tubes.  I also don’t want to use any subwoofers.  

Johnnie


cd318
2,636 posts
 
@oldschool1948, The key sentence for me is "The NAD pushes the Tannoy’s with ease."

I have used Tannoys with different amps (all solid state unfortunately) and the sound was always similar. My previous NAD 3020 and current Creek Destiny amps are difficult to compare because one didn't follow the other but I do feel the Creek has more of a sense of ease about the way they drive the Tannoys.

On the other hand could that be down to having to turn the volume dial much further around on the NAD?!

My advice would be to stick with the M22 and only if and when the upgrade urge demands action, to perhaps investigate some larger Tannoys, or maybe some DeVore speakers.

I'm not altogether in a different situation to yourself in that I also want to (must) try out a tube amp before I can say my audiophile journey is finished.

Good luck with whatever road you decide to take.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,418 posts
 
I’ve read that Class D amps have a deeper bass than tubes.
With the speaker rolling off at 33 Hz, this is no worries. Our tube amps go full power to 2Hz and on the right speaker play better bass than most solid state amps. Its all about matching the speaker and amp appropriately together. I tried searching google for an impedance curve as the impedances in the bass region will tell you how well a tube amp will work. If it really is an 8 ohm speaker even in the bass, it should be no worries playing tubes.
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948 OP
510 posts
 
Its all about matching the speaker and amp appropriately together.
I couldn't agree more.  The NAD is a pretty good match with these speakers.  But, I'm hoping to hear that "tube magic" that so many folks talk about.

@cd318 I have considered keeping it and calling it a day.  But, by son just bought another house.  As a house warming gift,  I've given him my NAD M12 pre/dac w/ BluOS module, M22v2 amp, vintage Technics SL-1600MK2 TT, and vintage DCM TimeWindow 3 speakers.  That's one of the main reasons I'm in the market for a new amp for my main system; and I can justify the expense with my wife :-). 

If I end up staying SS, I'll buy some monoblocks.  I plan to start that way with tubes.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@oldschool1948 +1 to @atmasphere ’s post.


Given your ’smaller’ room size and because you are "now [keeping your] listening levels low to moderate..."

...I suggest investing in quality, even if it means going slightly lower in power output than would be ideal for your current speakers (especially given your listening levels and room size).

This will pay off should you follow @cd318 ’s suggestion to move up to larger [and more efficient] Tannoys. Though you are making decisions based on your upcoming retirement, allow for some flexibility and ’space’ to get to where you want to!
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