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Tube Pre/Monoblock Recommendation

Hi everyone. System is posted. New home and design changes are mandating, (which I'm happy about), going from a tube integrated, (ARS Sonum) with my merlin VSM-MXe's to a Pre/Monoblock config.

Monoblocks are for aesthetic balance in room so while I recognise there are a million good stereo amps, solid state amps, etc... for the purposes of this request, if you could suggest some nice looking and great sounding Pre and Tube Monoblock suggestions to go with my Merlin's. I would be most appreciative

I'm not averse to a pre with a phono stage included as vinyl is my number one source and I currently have a separate phono stage, (Tron Seven), so I'd at least like it to be as good as that.

Let see what else... distance from amps to pre, about 25 feet or so and room is about 15x25 feet.

Music is Jazz, Classical and Contemporary/Alternative

Finally, would like to keep it in and around 8 to 10K all in if at all possible and used is fine.

Thank you for any and all help.
bhoage
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
You might want to consider a pair of Butler Audio TDB-2250s running mono for your amps. They will output 800 watts/ch. in this configuration. Whoa!

Check 'em out here:

http://butleraudio.com/tdb2250.php

-RW-
clio09
3,345 posts
 
I would recommend Atma-Sphere M-60s and MP-3. A friend and long time contributor to this forum, pubul57 (RIP), ran this combo with his Merlin's and praised the sound. You may want to search the archives for some of his posts. This combo might push your budget a little north if buying new, especially if you get the full function version of the MP-3, but you should easily come under your budget buying used.
heinrichmilw's avatar
heinrichmilw
57 posts
 
Butler Audio's Monad A100 mono blocks forsale here on Audio. 100wpc pure class A. One of the BEST
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Use Atma-Sphere MA-1 monoblocks. A superb match to the Merlins. Also, one will have difficulty doing better than the Atma-Sphere MP-1 full function preamp.
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heinrichmilw's avatar
heinrichmilw
57 posts
 
Google the Monad's. Read the 6-Moons review
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