Pure Class A SS vs Tube Amp
I have 100db speakers as well also Klipsch new heritage line. I have tried a SET 300b based tube amp and that sounded wonderful (8wpc, by the way it was a Finale Audio 300b integrated). I have tried a class A SS from Luxman also very nice if not a little too much power (50wpc). I've also used class AB Sansui amps (AU 9900 and AU 5900 totally refurbished) and they were surprisingly good, actually this is a very good match IMO for Klipsch speakers. I my experience the biggest issue I have run into with speakers in this efficiency range is usable volume control. You really need to match your amp and preamp together In this regard or you could end up with no usable volume control range. for example If you mismatch the pre-power you could end up with a volume control that turns a few deg only before your maxed out this is an issues because you end up using the very bottom 5% of the volume pot-etc. this is not ideal. If you want a tube amp with very good build quality and parts I'd highly recommend Finale Audio -Triode labs out of Toronto they make some very good low powered tube amp and you do not need to spend close to your budget well you could spend it and more but not needed. I think someone recommended First Watt another very good choice IMO due to the build quality and low power class A output. el34 tube and 45 tube amps also sound really good with the Klipsch speakers. you don't need more then a couple watts, literally 2wpc (that's what you get from the SET 45 tubes by the way) can do it. glen |
Sugden A21Se, beautiful tube like sound, inner detail, and bass control. 30 watts into 8 ohms, 40 into 4 ohms. Single ended class A. Drives the Tannoys wonderfully. Using QED Silver Anniversary XT BiWire cables. On a Tangent, my Main source is a Pro-Ject the classic with modified Evo machined aluminum subplatter running a Hana EL moving coil with Alnico magnets. Pure heaven to my ears. The table is $1000 plus $475 for the Hana, a hide in the sound leather/suede mat, and a record DR clamp, using Atlas Element Integra turntable interconnects and ground. All this running into a Pro-Ject Tube box Ds2 tube phono stage (400 ohm loading @ 60 db gain). I mention the turntable and associated upgrades in the event someone wants to put this together for themselves...it Is truly contributing to the great sound I am hearing. I think the QED cables, being the only thing in the system containing a trace of silver, helps to offset the warmth of the amp, speakers, and tube section of the phono preamp, complimenting them beautifully. |
I use a Schiit Aegir. It sounds wonderful. 20W Also, Monarchy Audio. Been in business a long time. Pure class A. Stereo and Mono block versions. Simple circuit with no feed back. Pass Labs and First Watt. Nelson Pass is a legend I saw a completely rebuilt Krell KSA50 a while back for $2000 that would have been great. |
almarg FWIW I suspect that the solid state Pass XA25 I use would be fine in that regard lordrootman OP I would also check out for "value" the Schiit Aegir 20w of Class-A which Stereophile measured at 28w, "low noise" and also far cheaper than the Pass would be. https://www.schiit.com/products/aegir and you don’t like it within 15 days you can send it back I was pleasantly surprised by the Schiit Aegir’s measured performance. It is a well-engineered amplifier at an affordable price.—John Atkinson And because your KLF30’s are bi-ampable, you could bi-amp them with two Schiit Aegirs in vertical-biamping. https://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/uploads/monthly_2016_03/7_Vertical_Bi-Amp.thumb.jpg.672... Or one Schiit Aegir for the mids and highs and a Schiit Vidar for the bass horizontally bi-amped. (may need a Schiit Sys to even out the gain) https://www.av2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/biamp1.jpg Cheers George |
