First foray into tube amps

@atmasphere I think you are right about the speakers.  I almost gave up on trying a tube amp after reading Agon comments on your GaN monoblocs.  There was a good price on a used pair on TMR, and if I did that I could keep my LS3/6’s.  Someone beat me to it and I am back to thinking about more efficient speakers, like the Volti Razz, a Klipsch Cornwall or a Pure Audio Project Duet.

I like the Stirling LS3/6 but I am for now committed to the Bacch4Mac crosstalk elimination system from Theoretica.  That works best speakers that have a narrow dispersion, which the Stirlings don’t.  I think the Duet and Cornwall fit the bill, not sure about the Razz.

Then, after sorting out the speakers, I can return to the amp issue and have many more options, including SET amps.

Thanks for your comments, and to everyone else on this thread.  I’ve learned a lot.

@tuberist 

I second the motion. However, the Galion TS120SE may be on back-order until September. Mine are driving Cornwall 4's.

@atmasphere 

That was a very impressive comment for my less than precise comment about harmonics.  Harmonics are a challenge, at least for me to understand

I will take 2 heart what you said and spend more time trying to understand this area.

That was a very impressive comment for my less than precise comment about harmonics.  Harmonics are a challenge, at least for me to understand

@emergingsoul Harmonics define the sound of instruments. Our ears assign tonality to harmonics. This is why we can tell the difference between a trumpet and a clarinet. 

When you add harmonics to a sound you alter the sound since the added harmonics are interpreted by the ear as a tonality. 

So its not really that hard to understand. What is more difficult is understanding how the distortion of amplifiers alters the sound; we've been told quite a lot over the years that if the amp isn't clipping the distortion won't be audible.

That isn't true. The distortion signature of an amp is its sonic signature that audiophiles have been discussing for decades. You can see that having a benign distortion signature is important if you want the amp to sound musical. 

@treepmeyer ….Volti Razz, a Klipsch Cornwall or a Pure Audio Project Duet.

The Pure Audio is a panel speaker which generates energy front and back, so requires careful placement. I suggest further research on box vs dipole speakers.

I wanted the most neutral efficient speaker so I can hear and learn differences in tube amplification. When I saw Volti offer a couple of Klipsch transducers(driver) upgrades here, I got the impression that Volti was sonically superior. I later found out that Volti Audio’s founder, Greg Roberts, intentionally designs his high-end horn speakers to offer a more refined, higher-quality alternative to traditional Klipsch Heritage models.

I heard the Volti Rival at several high-end audio shows like AXPONA. They sounded great, clear, dynamic, effortless. I own the Volti Rival. Research in tube sonic magic led to flea watt amps 300b, 2a3, 45,50 tubes. I wasn’t sure if the 100db Volti Rivals can handle the very low ~2watt amps, so I reached out to Greg who replied it’s okay to use.

In investigation various tube presentations, I trying to not overly spend $ on tubes and tube amps. 

I’m now targeting the TEKTRON TK TWO 2A3/50S-I which can run multiple tubes 2a3, 45, 50, 300b. The Response Audio Harmonia v4 45/2a3/300B is another option for less money. I’m also targeting the DECWARE Model SE84UFO25 which contains extra various tubes for a good variety of sonic presentations- saves money on buying tubes, bummer it’s wait list ~3 years.

Good luck with your search