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In search of low powered tube amp that isn’t overly hot

Hello all- 

I am interested in recommendations for a low powered tube amp that is excellent sounding that won't make my room overly hot.  Speakers are high efficiency so I can get by with 10 and maybe even less than 5 watts.  I was thinking Decware Zen but the wait time is now 3 years!  I'm aware of Linear Tube Audio.  Other thoughts?

Would be great to spend less than 5k (but Linear Tube Audio is more so may go that way if needed.)

Amp will sit inside a cabinet WITH OPEN BACK AND FRONT.  (But top and sides are enclosed).

I'm also wondering about low powered solid state with tube like sound.  I was looking for a used Vinnie Rossi LIO but didn't find one.  Would consider Sugden too.  Other ideas?

Thank you!

mcanaday
paradisecom
503 posts
 

Dennis Had sells on eBay, now.  

You can also check out Glow Audio:  https://glow-audio.com/collections/amplifiers

 

renosteve
40 posts
 

+1 on Luxman or a Prima Luna

imintohifi
40 posts
 

I’ve got an Alan Eaton 45 single ended amp powering Altec 604g’s in 620 cabinets at surprisingly strong levels. Haven’t taken its temperature lately, but it’s definitely much cooler than tube amps in my other systems. When they’re available used they’re reasonably priced. It has volume pots, so you can skip the preamp and plug a source in directly. I’m really happy with it.

mcanaday OP
178 posts
 

Great to hear about the Alan Eaton.  That's one I have been reading about this weekend. Is this the monoblock?  Or something else? 

Thank you.  (And thanks all for the great ideas here.)

larryi
4,570 posts
 

From other threads, I know that you are interested in Audio Note AN-J speakers.  That is a terrific choice, in my opinion, and they can be used with lower-powered tube gear.  However, much depends on the size of your room, how loud you want to play the system, type of music, and how much you can accept that you may not be able to play certain music at very high volume levels.

I like the 45 tube a lot.  It is my favorite among the three most common low-powered triode tube (45, 2a3, 300B).  I run speakers that are more efficient than yours and I don't listen at high volume levels, but I heard some effects of compression with 45s running in pushpull configuration (about twice as powerful as 45s in single ended operation).  Strangely, this was most obvious with acapella mass choral music (e.g., Rachmaninov's Vespers).  If you go with a 45 SET amp, you will face much more severe restrictions on volume level.  But, I can easily see someone, myself included, who could live with that if the sound is otherwise to my liking.  

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