2. amps-preamps
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Recommend a Tube Pre & SS Amp Combo

Hello,

Having been mulling and searching this over quite a bit and have come to the following conclusion:

My next upgrade will be a tube pre amp and a ss amplifier. I love the tube sound but also like lots of power as I find my current SLI 80 gets a bit compressed as the volume gets loud. I am also trying to make it work with a HT system, which is another reason for the ss amp piece of the puzzle.

Current speakers are Dali 400mkii.

Looking for recommendations on the combo with the following "needs":

Warmer sound than lean
Lots of power
HT bypass on the pre (req.)
Prefer to stay with a single brand for both, but am open to suggestions
Prefer made in north America
Improvement over the SLI 80, if you have experience here

Thanks in advance!
juggernaut850
winoguy17
1,094 posts
 
Im loving my Modwright pre with Mccormack amp. I also have Dali speakers.
ojdeteos
26 posts
 
Audio research combo
Ref 5 se + ref 150
dminches
38 posts
 
Modwright LS-100 / KWA-100/150, depending on budget.

What is your budget?
juggernaut850 OP
11 posts
 
Wow, thanks for the input so far and to answer some questions asked:

Lloyd - You articulated exactly what I am after with "tonality". I have been reading up as much as possible on SS amps and have never come across a recommendation for bolder, will have to dig into that. Also, would a class A amp be wise while also serving as the HT purpose? (I don't have any experience here in class A)

The pre does not need a phone stage, I have one already.

I guess in a perfect world the pre could double as a HT processor for better integration, but I am not will to compromise on 2 channel for this (not sure this is even feasible with valves).

Winoguy - with your combo any urge to upgrade this part of your system feeding our Dali's?

I would like to keep this under $5k and may likely have go used to realize this, which I am fine with.

Anyone have experience with Cary, say the slp05 with there SS amps?

Again, thanks for the advice so far.....
dodgealum
1,401 posts
 
You could do a Modwright LS100 and KWA150 for about $5K used, including some Sophia 6SN7's and a Mullard for the rectifier which take the performance of the LS100 to a significantly higher level. I've been using this combination for almost a year now after running several different ARC tube preamp and solid state amp combinations. The Modwright stuff is truly excellent. The KWA150 is the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove-plenty of power, control and finesse. The LS100 will impart a very slight tube character on the sound--more so than the LS36.5 which I previously owned. It is very spacious, quiet and musically involving. I cannot recommend this combination highly enough. And, if you get the upgrade bug you can have your KWA150 upgraded to the "SE" version which I understand is competitive with just about anything out there that isn't silly money. Before you buy used, however, give Dan a call--many times he has show demos that can be had with full warranty for slightly more than what you would pay on the used market.
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