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class amp dilemma to match with Pure Audio Project Horns should I see an audio-astrologer?

Dear Audiogon nutcases….

 

 

I am considering an amp upgrade…. An amp sidestep? … an amp diversion? Help me clarify paths forward….

 

 

 

I currently have my Pure Audio Project Duet Horn’s running on a Prima Luna Dialogue HP with Ray Power Tubes and Radiotechnique Gain Tubes. It sounds… pretty damn good.

 

But for some reason, I have this memory… hallucination…. Of experiencing a more vivid, strikingly present, astonishingly real presentation of the instruments in the room. (Not sure if this is a dream or what….)

 

And so I have been mulling around an amp upgrade to achieve a more vivid sense of presence and realism.

 

I am thinking of the following amps to match my Pure Audio Project Duet Horns:

 

-Decware SEWE 300B Sarah (not concerned with the wait time, can find one used…. but is a good match for my PAP’s?… super curious about 300B... I like that I won't need a preamplifier since I only run roon --> nagar steamer --> DAC and a phono preamp....)

-Pass Labs X25 (This is what the owner of PAP uses during trade shows, and is well regarded with other PAP owners)

-First Watt Sit 4 (This seems a little bit warmer and musical according to reviews, than the X25… but is it even hotter running than my Prima Luna?)

-Prima Luna with Ray Tubes and Radiotechnique Gain Tubes! (Is this the best it gets….???)

 

I have been looking at reviews and forum posts… My room is smallish (14 x 16’ with an 8’ ceiling) (and I live in NYC where huge bass is not an option) …

 

Music Tastes: All over the map, currently a lot of free jazz, experimental classical, Russian composers, solo piano, violin, African, vocals…. I disappear into the music and want a full hallucination…

 

What do you think I should do?

 

r

whyrichard
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,404 posts
 

My question for you all, considering my high-efficiency horn speakers, small room, and leaning towards acoustic instrumentation, with this amp, most likely be the most heavenly for me?

@whyrichard 

If on a budget look into the Dynaco ST35. If its an older one make sure its sorted out properly. They can be surprisingly musical, even to people that really like SETs. 

I've heard several SETs on that speaker. 2A3s and 300bs. They didn't have enough power and SETs have problems making bass to begin with (a technical thing that any designer of output transformers for such amps knows all too well). 

There are class D amps now that would work well on this speaker. 

kennyc
2,877 posts
 

….most likely be the most heavenly for me?

this is a personal subjective question that only the OP can answer.  The 300b has a great warmth reputation, but 300b tubes can be pricey.  I’m using my 100db speakers to investigate tube midrange magic starting with SET amps 300b/45/2a3

+1 @atmasphere - some high sensitivity speakers require more current to drive/control the cone bass units. Seems a 301SET is lacking in power for the PAP.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,404 posts
 

@kennyc My experience mirrors your last comment. But that speaker's bass isn't difficult to manage. I've seen 2A3 amps play well on them but you couldn't play them very loud even in a small space. You simply need more power if you want things to be coherent. 

avanti1960
1,744 posts
 

@whyrichard 

For me- no.  Even with their higher efficiency the PAPs sound more exciting with a more robust solid state amp.  

kennyc
2,877 posts
 

If one is desperate to try a 300b, wonder if PAP can be biamped- more money though.

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