Demo'ing Class A amps, Appreciation Suggestions from those who recently been there

If tube amplification is an option, my suggestion would be Linear Tube Audio. I am using a ZOTL 10 amp with the MZ3 preamp on Spatial Audio M4 Triode Master speakers. The speakers are rated at 93db and average 12 ohms. These are open baffle speakers and are probably getting around 8 watts from the ZOTL 10 amp. This amp can drive me out of the room if I cranked it up, so it has plenty of power for normal listening levels. I believe the amp puts out 12 watts at 4 ohms.

These amps are very different from a normal tube amp with normal transformers. They have a frequency response that goes down to 6 hz at -0.5 db which gives you the bass response of a ss amp. They have no massive transformers and the tubes run at much lower amperage than a normal tube amp. The tubes are supposed to last between 10-20 years and the heat generated is less than a normal tube amp or a Class A ss amp in my experience. LTA amps and preamps are dead quiet with no hiss at all. I went from using a Cary Rocket 88 tube amp to a CODA 10.5R ss amp (100 watt, 25 watt Class A) to my current LTA system. LTA describes their sound as tube tone with solid state detail which I think is very accurate.

They have a two week trial period and will take back the amp for any reason and will cover the return shipping. The ZOTL 10 power amp is $3,200 and they have a Z 10 Integrated amp for $4,900.  

@aldoallen
..LTA describes their sound as tube tone with solid state detail which I think is very accurate...
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aldoallen,
A friend who’s owned the same tube and SS amps I’ve run described his ZOTL amp the same way as you have, and LTA does on their site. And, we’ve both owned solid state amps which have "tube tone. Friend indicated his ZOTL can be "less tubey" sounding, and therefore kept a few of his tube amps to rotate in/out periodically. Been asking him to roll some different tubes in it to compare again.

The other comment on the LTA site about tube amps is... "but their “warmth masks details and can sound thick.". Yes, true for some tube amps, not all. Particularly not with more modern amps with modern power tubes like KT150s. Seems LTA/ZOTL was looking for a hybrid sound and approach. It’s great to see different approaches.

I would’n’t mind demo-testing the ZOTL40 Reference amp with my custom speakers, to see what it can do, and how different it is versus some of the more capable Class A>A/B solid state amplifiers we all know. Grew up past 40 years transitioning through very "tubey" sounding solid state Mosfet designs with dual mono torroids and really enjoyed those too. Then, on to tubes. Have great appreciation for those blending both together.

Noting you’ve owned CODA and the Rocket88, both with their own signature sounds, do you feel your ZOTL leans more to SS than tube amp sound then? If you could change the sound a bit more with your ZOTL, what would it be - if anything?

Dennis Had 'Inspire Fire Bottle' SET tube amp is an option.

Based on online measurements, the Luxman 550 seems misleadingly underrated when it comes to wattage. I suspect this has to do with meeting test standards requiring pre-conditioning.

I'd treat it as a much larger amp when considering it's application.

Decooney:

I would say the LTA amp leans more toward very good solid state and less towards lush tube sound. Compared to my CODA amp it has a little more detail and adds some air around the individual instruments and voices if that makes any sense. It is hard to describe and I think the best description is tube tone and solid state detail.as LTA describes it. I was not satisfied at all with the Rocket 88. Even though it could put out 60 watts, the bass disappeared on my open baffle speakers and I don't listen much to bass heavy music. The CODA corrected the bass problem but it was barely idling running my speakers and most of the 25 watt Class A was going to heat the room. I took a chance on the LTA amp based on what I was hearing from the MZ3 preamp and I am very pleased with it. It still amazes me that this little 10 watt tube amp can drive my speakers as well as the CODA amp and the CODA is is a very fine amplifier also.
The LTA amp came with four Russian 6P14P-EB tubes and four 7062 tube that are unmarked but I think may be RCA? I suppose the tube sound could be adjusted by using different tubes but I like it the way it is.

 I can't think of anything sound wise I would change but it is definitely not audio jewelry. Just a plain black box.