SET amplifier (for AvantGarde Duo's-original) recommendations


Hello all,
I inherited the above speaker and I have been really enjoying them.  I also have a pair of Thiel 3.7s- paired with pass labs xa60.5's (and it works!) which I also love albeit they are very different animals from the DUO's as you can imagine.

Right now I am focusing on the Duo's and have used them both with Pass Labs and a Mastersound Compact 845- both are great but there is something about the DUO's driven by this 845 SET that is magical.   The problem is that the 845 was dropped and developed a hum.  A technician went through it and managed to reduce the hum but it is still there and it bugs me- I am not sure if one of the transformers itself may have been damaged and that isn't really repairable at reasonable cost, though I will speak to Mastersound to hear their thoughts. I should add that the amp used to be dead quiet and generally Masetrsound makes superb amps- and are renown for their transformers.

So I am now starting to think about alternatives solutions- I would like to either stick to a SET of comparable quality (that is known to be relatively quiet with efficient speakers)- maybe a 300b type just for a change, or even an OTL.

There's a lot of stuff out there at the moment, take the Line Magnetics that are floating around (but would they compare to Mastersound in terms of build quality etc?) and I was hoping to get some insights on what you think would work well.  I have read a lot of reviews and while helpful at times I feel they are almost always positive and a little too generic  when comparing similar products.  I'd like to stick to a $5k or so budget (therefore I would look for something used).

pgastone

Oh, I should add that the rest of the equipment consists of:
Vinnie Rossi LIO AVC preamp (passive or tube buffer)
Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamp
Analog- VPI Aries 1 + Lyra Etna+ ps audio stellar phono
Digitial- Mac mini, Moon 280d Mind 2
Cabling- Nordost Heimdall II

 

There is an Audion 300B DH/SET "integrated" amp listed on A'Gon now that was previously used with AvantGarde speakers.

It can use 2A3 tubes as well (2A3 and WE 300B tubes are included).

I owned an Audion 300B DH/SET years ago and liked it.

 

DeKay

I have the line magnetic class a  845 ia, have 

Upgraded all the tubes, and every time I listen 

It puts a smile on my face. Best of luck on your 

Journey.