Amplifier for Cornwall IV

I good SET setup would be glorious.

I think you will be shocked at the amazing Underwood HiFi LSA Voyager 350 GaN amp. And it's < $3000. I have using one with Emerald Physics 3.4 open baffle, very high efficiency speakers. It is incredibly clean, throws and enormous sound stage with excellent depth. It's a you are there experience

There are a couple threads to get impressions from other owners

hth

Thanks @musicmann1 actually looks great I’m going to order a pair to try

While I haven't heard solid state amps that sound quite like better low-powered tube amps, that is not to say that some remain nice choices.  I liked the First Watt J-2 amp I had in my system for a couple of weeks.  I have also heard some nice systems powered by Ayre amps and Rowland amps.  These days, solid state amps DO NOT sound harsh or grainy or unpleasant as they did in the past.  Rather, they sound a touch lifeless unless played loudly, and are not quite as engaging (one's interest in the music tends to wane earlier).  There can also be a slightly artificial "edge" to the attack of notes with solid state (also the case with many high-powered tube amps), but some people like that sound.

A local dealership that sells only tube amplification has a Parasound JC-1 amp.  I asked the owner why he has that amp and he said that he heard that it is one of the better sounding solid state amps.  He uses it for demonstrations where customers want to hear a direct comparison between tubes and solid state.  In other words, he uses the solid state amp to make sales of tube amps.  It works. 

Try a FW F8 if you don't want tubes?!? I had one paired with my Cornwall IV's and a 01A DHT SET tube pre and it was a great pairing. I did sell it though...DH WE300B SET bested it, but not by much. I'm addicted to SET amps though. Once you are eaten up with that...it's hard to go SS anything in my experience. That is all!

I use First Watt amplifiers with my DIY horns, and I think they are an excellent choice. They replaced Cary Audio 2a3 monoblocks, and the improvement was obvious.

A low powered SET tube amp is the best amp for Klipsch’s, period.  But if you definitely want to stay away from tubes, then go with a low powered class A amp.  A pair of Amp Camp monos will do the job really well or a Class A Monarchy amp.

First watts j2 or sit3

I got the Cornwalls too. You can probably use a million amps with them, both solid and tube. My favs Luxman and Accuphase. But tubes, if you don't have too much noise in your current, are supposed to be best. 

I mean AC noise. 

I run my modded CW4s with a 300b amp and it is a superb combo. But were I interested only in solid state, I’d look seriously at the new Valvet E3S. Its 12 watts of Class A is more than you need. Never heard it but it looks very interesting. I almost tried its predecessor, the E3, but went with tubes instead. This place has a 30-day return. I have no affiliation.

https://highend-electronics.com/products/valvet-e3s-solid-state-single-ended-class-a-dual-mono-amplifier
 

I recently purchased a Yamaha R-N2000A receiver and paired it with my Cornwall IV's. In my opinion, this combination is incredible. I would strongly encourage you to listen to this combination. I believe that you will be impressed. 

FWIW.... I tried the Schiit Aegir2 on my Cornwall IVs, and while it sounded very pleasant, I found the bass to be too loose and uncontrolled.  All kick drums sounded the same.  I’ve tried other SS amps. My 2 Brystons sounded horrible.  My 20yr old Rotel sounded nice, but thin in the lows.  I’m now using a Prima Luna EVO200 integrated (6550 tubes) and it sounds perfect to me. (The EL34's did not sound good, and i'm using the 4 ohm tap!)  Soundstage is deeper and wider than any of my Solid State amps, and it's more dynamic.  I would like to try a Pass Labs.

The biggest improvement was putting my CW_IVs up on a pair of 4x4’s.  Raising them that 3.5" really opened up the low end, and made the image bigger!  I don’t think I’d keep them if they were still just sitting on the floor.

At 59, I’ve owned all sorts of audiophile speakers in the $3-10K price range.  I still own a couple other pairs, but I’ve gotta say, if I had to keep just one pair, it would be these Cornwalls.  They simply make me want to keep listening to music.