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Esoteric A-100 vs a03

Friends,
I am currently using a Wavac 300B amplifier with my Tannoy turnberry SE speakers. While I am enjoying the luxurious Wavac ride but there are always times that I feel the 10 watts Wavac is not enough. Especially while listening to Rock and pop music when I would like to crank it up and have fun, the music doesnt sound very comfortable. I know I should not be doing this with a 300B tube amp but then I listen to all kinds of music and I dont own a 100db sensitive speaker.

The choice is now either to go with a powerful push-pull which has the overall purity of an SET or a more drastic step towards a good solid state amplifier. I have heard the Esoteric a03 and liked it a lot driving a pair of Maggies. But I have never heard the A-100. Esoteric says that A-100 sounds as pure and neutral as master tapes, thats a serious claim, but then they are manufacturers. Can anyone here give me an idea of which of these amps would be a better buy for sonic purity, neutrality and dynamics ?
pani
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
I attended a dealer demostration several years ago. The system was
Esoteric digital, their C-03 line stage and A 100 amplifier driving Wilson
Sashas. A variety of music was played and I listened for a good while. My
point is someone may or may not like the sound produced. It didn't sound
at all like what I'm accustomed to hearing with high quality SET set ups. It
was IMO drier, less fluid, less organic and mechanical sounding relatively
speaking. It lacked the life, emotion and vibrant presence of the SETs I've
experienced. However the Esoteric amp is more powerful and allow greater
flexibility in speaker choice. SETs really require the right matching
speakers.
That's just me however and only reflects my taste, for what you want it
could be potentially ideal and preferable to your Wavac.
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
Hi Charles,
Your observations are very informative. Just to get some more idea, which Push-pull amps have you generally liked ? Please list some models please. Basically I am coming from a mixed background of solid state and pure SET amplification. I have not touched push-pull yet. I can easily relate to your SET reference. Have you heard any push pull amps which give you a similar sense of enjoyment as good SETs ?
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
How big is your listening room and how loud (in dBs) are you trying to comfortably achieve?

Onhwy61, my room size is pretty small, about 170 sqft with a usual 10ft ceiling height.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
Needless to say that my opinions are strictly based on personal
encountersand everyone's experience is unique. Prior to using my SET
amp I used a custom built PP amplifier (Response Audio Bella Extreme V
cap version) by Bill Baker (Purity Audio).This is a100 watt/60 watt triode
with 6550 or KT88. This and a friend's VAC Phi 300.1 were the best
sounding PP I've listened to compared to ARC, VTL, Quicksilver, Rogue etc.

What I came to realize is that regardless of the PP amplifier they just didn't
have the "thereness" presence or ultimate realism I get
convincingly with a proper SET -speaker match. In my case it was an easy
and in all probability permanent change. Of course your outcome may be
different from mine. I really enjoyed my Bella Exreeme PP amplifier until I
got the Frankenstein amplifier and directly compared them.
Charles,
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,256 posts
 
Based upon your comments I imagine you will be happier sticking with tube amps. Coincident, Atmasphere and David Berning all make not too expensive tube amps that can provide you with roughly 6dB more headroom. As a less costly alternative you might consider the Van Alstine Ultravalve 70. Keep us updated.
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