I don't think your 4 ohm 90dB speakers will really allow a SET amp to shine.
Considering A 20-40 Watt Stereo SET Amp
I just got over a 16 day illness (not Covid) where it was touch and go for a few days. I am thinking of rewarding myself with a 20-40 watt stereo SET amp. The speakers I will use are a pair of the new JBL L100 Classic speakers that I bought at the end of 2020. The speakers are rated at 4 ohms @90db sensitivity.
Presently, I am using a McIntosh integrated and I do not listen loud. The meters on the Mac usually sit between .20 and 2 watts at its loudest. I have not started looking yet but I do know I want something with 1 pair of outputs so I can use my SVS powered subwoofer with it. I would also need 3 high level inputs. I don’t want to break the bank as this would be a secondary amp to put into rotation as the mood strikes me.
I do not want a flea powered amp so it has to be 20-40 watts and under 4 grand new. Used would be even better. I am hoping I can be steered in the right direction so I can start my research. I do not want to have to buy other components to accommodate the amp. Source components are a McIntosh SACD player, McIntosh FM tuner and a Sony HAP-Z1ES music player. Nordost interconnects and Canare speaker cables, Shunyata power cords and a Furutech power conditioner round out the system. The amp must be stereo, no monoblocks please. 99% of my listening will be through my Mac FM tuner. The system is also on its own dedicated 20-amp circuit.
- ...
- 47 posts total
as @three_easy_payments has identified, your speakers are the determining factor here. You are really going to have to audition a range of tube amps before purchase as the results of the complex speaker- amp output stage interaction can not be predicted accurately from specifications and will tend to dominate sonic outcomes. Conventional wisdom would dictate that those amps with a 4 ohm tap would be more successful. However, this may not be the case and each amp should be auditioned on its own merits. I would therefore caution strongly against falling into the trap of auditioning a single recommended amp and buying it because it sounds nice (most tube amps sound nice), and instead make a point of auditioning a range of different tube amps before you take the plunge on your favourite. I would also have a really good SS power amp on hand as a baseline reality check as to the overall viability of tubes with your speakers. |
@stereo5 Wrote:
Maybe 8 watts! Look at the Coincident Dynamo 34SE MKIII integrated amplifier. Price: $1799 US See below: Mike https://www.coincidentspeaker.com/mpsip_amps.html
|
I have decided that it will be too costly to buy a SET integrated with all the features I need so I have decided not to go any further. I am not willing to compromise on a push pull tube integrated (been there, done that) so I surrender. Perhaps in the future if I decide on a pair of Klipsch Cornwall IV, I will rethink this again. I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread and a special shout out to Aric Audio, thanks ever so much. |
- 47 posts total