Tube Amp for Devore O/96

@davehg 

You've had first hands experience with quite a number of good amplifiers driving the Orangutan 96 speakers. I lean more toward SET amplifiers generally if applicable by circumstances. In this scenario given the OP's large and open listening space I can appreciate the recommendation for a push -pull amplifier with typically additional power.​​​​

In addition with push- pull  you will usually have a lower output impedance and increased damping factor. Depending on the speaker's bass characteristics this may/may not be desirable.

Charles

I deleted my post. Ralph means well and I am just mean. 

I will restate though that the Devore O' series play well with a broad range of tube amps. The O/96's can easily overpower a room with excess bass. They are propulsive and lively, but can sound a bit loosey-goosey, the opposite of the buttoned-down analytic sound I attribute to the likes of Magico's and the top TAD standmounts. For that reason for some listeners and rooms a push-pull tube amp with nfb can ameliorate some of that tendency. 

I tried my O/93's with a very good SET no feedback amp, an Ampsandsound Nautilus with 8 watts and the sound is sweet but the firmness of the low end and the extension of the treble disappeared. 

As Charles1dad said, and it's a cliche' but a true cliche', there are always trade-offs. Your choice of loudspeaker cable will also make a huge difference with the O's. I really like what the Auditorium 23 do with the O's but after a while I think I prefer Cardas Clear Beyond. 

The O/96 is magical. It has something about it that the O/93 lacks despite the similar drivers. 

@davehg 

That's a serious looking300b SET amplifier. Thanks for the pictures.

Charles

@fsonicsmith

 I tried my O/93's with a very good SET no feedback amp, an Ampsandsound Nautilus with 8 watts and the sound is sweet but the firmness of the low end and the extension of the treble disappeared.

I can understand that outcome depending on the particular SET amplifier. Looking at Dave's pictures it's clear that his amplifier has very robust power supply and he mentioned custom quality output transformers. So for him, no problems controlling the bass .

Charles

The first build, we spec’d great transformers and Mundorf caps. I had the chance to compare 5 builds including some that were closer to the original Western Electric design, and a few with larger transformers that weren’t as boutique, but where the 300b was putting out over 10w. The Western Electric amp design was awesome but lacked low end, so we used the nickel transformers.

I think the transformers made a big difference for the bass but initially the bass felt like it was soft. We swapped in larger Mundorf caps and wham! It was like adding half an octave of bass, and brought the performance within spitting distance of the EL34 amp. The caps added $600 to the build, but well worth it. Total cost was about $4k including the Gold Lion tubes.

I will say the O/96 reveals every change, especially cables. It gets better the more you feed it high quality stuff.