Klipsch Cornwall IV

I picked up a used Luxman MQ-300, an unusually good incarnation. But I think most well-designed SETs using this tube would be suited to the Cornwalls. I’d been skeptical that 8 watts would be adequate but it’s just right; and the rich midrange textures of the 300B are ideal for the Cornwall. These speakers can do nuance and delicacy as well as they do dynamics, and that’s a wonderful combo--right up SET ally. One of the things I like most about SET amps is they way they release the music to you rather than push it at you. I think the Cornwalls tend to push a bit, themselves, so amps that mitigate that tendency work best, at least in my survey of various amps. I’ve never tried a single-ended pentode amp but I’d assume it would behave similarly to a SET and sound pretty great on these speakers, too.

Thanks! I was SET on the Decware SE84UFO25, but still not sure. It uses neither of those typical tubes. The Audiophiliac liked it with the CW4. The Feliks 300B seems also quite good. Hard choices:)

I thought about both those amps, read a little about them. Personally, I don't think 2 watts is enough for the CW. I have a good 2A3 amp that puts out 3.5w or so. It sounds great at low volume but can't fill my space. Steve G thinks the CW4/Decware is a great combo, though. You might, too.

Haven’t had a chance to demo the cw iv yet, curious how the soundstage height is?  I currently have a pair of smaller maggies (mg12), and the height of the cornwalls, I think 38 inches or so, is substantially shorter.
thanks

I would like to offer another low output tube option. I am using an Aric Audio Super 88/150 SE and it is a great amp. It can use many different output tubes, but configured with EL34s as I am using it, the rated power is 12 watts/channel. Aric Kimball is a great designer and this is one of the best tube amps I have owned. He is very accessible and loves to talk about his products and his philosophy.

This amp is a wonderful match for the Cornwall IV.

Oz