2. amps-preamps
  3. 1157845674

Best Amp for my Pipedreams and ML 32

Need your help and advice.

I own the Pipedreams and two preamps, the Mark Levinson 32, and the Linn CD12. I would like to buy the best ss amp for this combination (to be used for the mids and highs since I will use my existing Krell FPB 600 for the lows). My priorities: musicality, midrange magic, imaging, and overall dynamics -- of course, a synergistic match with my existing components would also be ideal. I prefer not to have a tube amp due to maintenance. I would also considering getting a new CD player since my Linn CD12 is old and is probably no longer state of the art (for a CD player, I would consider tube). If money is no object, what would you recommend getting for the amp? any recommendations on the CD player?

thanks in advance.
michauyuen
sean
6,231 posts
 
The biggest problems that i've seen with trying to run a tubed preamp with an SS power amp had to do with impedance mismatches. Due to the way that most gear is ( poorly ) designed, you have to factor in a HUGE impedance mismatch when going this route. That is, most tubed pre's want to see a very high input impedance on an amp. Trying to run a tubed pre with an SS amp that has a lower input impedance typically results in a very warm, syrupy thick bloat that sounds terrible. So long as you can keep the input impedance of the amplifier kind of high, you shouldn't run into too many problems. Otherwise, you may end up spending a fortune on cabling and tube-rolling trying to resolve a basic electrical mismatch. Sean
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jorgepacheco685c
2 posts
 
I use with 21 Pipedreams :
digital :EMM Labs Meitner combo SACD+ DAC6e ( cd+ sacd) the best
analogue :Forsell Air reference+ Forsell arm+ Lyra Clavis
phono pre amp ( two chassis all tube)*
preamp (two chassis all tube)*
for mid \treble amplification:
two OTL monos 550w each in 8 ohms ( pl 519 tubes)*
*( produced by me and a friend)
for bass
QSC pl6
All nordost Valhalla and Shunuata Anaconda and 2 Hydra 8
this is the best sound i got from 21 pipes: coerent,fast; detailed,musical ,non fatiguing for all levels and kind of music
Crag Oxford,boss of Nearfield Acoustics and Audio Emotion Audio had heared my system at my home in Portugal and ... ask him his opinion, he has bought from me same amps afterwards...
( if someone interested in photos,and avaibiliy contact me: jorgepacheco@net.novis.pt or +351937319271)
Before i tried Spectral gear,Audionote gear,OTL Tenor w75 with Krell,and Qsc 4050 but no coherency and musicality at all
ollies
10 posts
 
I have pipe dreams with all new drivers and just use
audio reasearch 600 tube amps and accuphase dp-700
with all nordost valhalla cables.Amps were plugged into
their own deacated wall circuits,now I use audience
arp2t that plug into wall with no powercord,amps plug
into them,just the best
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