2. amps-preamps
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Tube amp decision - Thoughts

Looking for a synergistic connection. I have, IMO, a very good setup. But I believe I errored in one important aspect. I always wanted a ruler flat response. I believe I achieved that. Great recordings sound great. But the majority of recordings seem to sound a bit thin in our system. Not to others audiophile types but I have to admit now that impact has got to be part of the quotient for greater enjoyment.

I have a pair of rather efficient Tyler Acoustic Decades. They sound very accurate as they're reputed to be and most folks run tube amps with them, perhaps to warm them up a bit.
My system consists of a Pass labs X350.5 which has played stellar through Dynaudio, MBL and AV123 Line Arrays.
An Allnic L3000 preamp really makes this system sing in 3D.
Sources are a VPI Scoutmaster and a modified Oppo BDP83SE backed by a BDP95 in stock form. A lot of attention has been paid to my AC.

It's all well and good but my family and I feel that it lacks impact and warmth with a lot of "modern" CD's or streamed FLAC files. I have Def Techs in our TV room which having built-in subs are pretty fun to listen to if not so transparent and refined. But it did drive home a weakness (perceived)in our 2 channel setup.

Having visited many audio shows, my wife and I always seemed to love the rooms with Prima Luna Dialogue amps playing in them. Of course they are generally partnered with NOLA speakers. That seemes to be an amazingingly synergistic combination. Rogue Audio amps as well seemed to captivate us. But there are a lot of great tube amps out there. Thus the post.

I'm going to build a pair of LS-9 line arrays. I owned the LS6's and sold them some time ago. These are also tube friendly speakers.

So given a $5500 dollar budget new or used, where to go?

Thanks for your responses.
128x128desalvo55
morganc
255 posts
 
Hi Desalvo,
If you like female vocalists, then I think your idea of a more efficient speaker like the Super V would be ideal and would offer you something very different than your current set up. It would also allow you to build an Audio Note Set amp and the pairing might be very nice indeed! I have not heard the Super V's but have been tempted myself and I have a good friend who has a pair of the Super V's and loved them, though he told me my Zu Omen Defs were better, especially with jazz and vocalists.
I am currently breaking in a pair of Tekton Pendragons and I think that they are amazingly musical and very engaging on even poor modern recordings. Radiohead for example has never sounded better and the bass is the best I have ever had. They are very engaging, great imaging, and allow a wide range of amplifier choices.
I will soon hear the Super V's and can maybe give you a comparison. The friendly guys on Audiocircle are also quite informative and helpful.
Cheers,
Morgan
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atmasphere
11,861 posts
 
True, but what is the tradeoff? If there were none, I would imagine they would build high-efficienty speakers (unless they also sold high powered amps) :) No?

The problem with high efficiency speakers is that the drivers cost about 10 times more than lower efficiency drivers, for the most part.

Otherwise, in general, the more efficiency, the more likely that bass extension will be compromised. Most speakers over 102 db or so do not go below 40-50Hz. However they are capable of all the resolution and musicality of speakers of lessor efficiency, if constructed properly.

My speakers (Classic Audio Loudspeakers) trade off efficiency for extended bass. They go to 20Hz but are only 98 db. However they are as revealing as any I have heard.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
I have Prima Luna mono blocks and I love them. I believe with the NOS tubes I have, they sound as good or better than ARC, also they're a tad warmer; although not as warm as the CJ's I've heard.

I think it's best to go with what you've heard and liked, however; with a budget of $5500. you can do some more listening.
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samzx12
1,220 posts
 
I have Decades and know Ty's speakers very well. I would recommend something from Rogue or a Audio Research VT-100 MKIII. Even a BAT VK-75SE might be a good choice. A buddy of mine is running a VT-100 MKIII with his Thiel 3.7's and it sounds fantastic. The Thiels are not an easy load but the AR handles them rather well.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Twas 20 years ago I heard the Theil 3.6 with the VT-100 MKI and it was absolutely awesome playing Bonnie Rait, the ARC sure drove their relatively difficult load - good enough I remember it 20 years later.
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