Mdemaio, totally get the limited space and was recommending the KT Monos as a current owner of these and the fact that they are a low-impedance design and thus will likely play well with the Sourcepoint 8s.
Tube amp for Sourcepoint 8?
My Sourcepoint 8s are breaking in nicely...loving them so far (and boy did they need break-in!). I have them paired with an Exposure 3510 integrated, which sounds wonderful - the holography and bass quality are completely addictive. But I do notice a slight dryness in the upper mids, and I'm wondering if a tube amp might be helpful here. Does anyone have direct experience with SP8s combined with tube amps? Only looking for people who have actually heard them in person this way (not on YouTube). Separates are not an option for me...looking for an integrated solution. Any insights appreciated. Thanks!
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What’s your budget, and are you looking for new or used? It’s really almost irrelevant what tube amps other people have run with your speakers because their taste may be, and probably is, different from yours so really the thing that matters most is what specific sound characteristics you’re looking for from the amp. |
Pure tube amps usually do not have a tight bass unless you a bit more. Normally, a tube preamp + SS amp would give you what you are looking for. So likely a hybrid tube integrated might be a good option. The Krell k-300i integrated has a warm sound “…output up to 150Wpc into 8 ohms and 300Wpc into 4 ohms, with its iBias technology allowing the amp to deliver up to the first 90W in class-A…”(Stereophile) |
@soix This is a good example of how Stereophile comments are not always correct. If the amp is designed properly its very likely the output of the amp will not increase at all. This can be true even if the amp lacks feedback. @mdemaio Since this is a lower efficiency speaker of only 87 dB (quite common with speakers of this size) you will need some power. But you may not need all that much. I would expect a Dynaco ST70 to do quite well on this speaker. The load is benign so you have a wide range of amps that will do the job. But just to be clear a lot will depend on how you play your system and the size of the room. My speakers in my bedroom system are the same efficiency and I drive them with a 5 Watt/channel integrated stereo tube amp that has no problems playing plenty of volume; in fact I've never run it out of gas. My bedroom is not that small; it takes up the entire second floor of my home. Dynaco made a small integrated amp called the SCA35 which might be a consideration. I don't know if they still make it; if you get an older one it will have to be refurbished. But you could do that for under $1500.00.
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Well, given you like the Exposure (nice amp BTW) and are just looking for a little more meat on the bones you might be looking for more of a neutral sounding tube amp rather than a more conventional and warmer “tubey” sounding amp. I’d put the PrimaLuna more in the latter camp and would be a little concerned you might miss some upper octave detail and energy. With what you stated you’re looking for I’d check out the Rogue Cronus Magnum iii for a tube amp and the Unison Unico series that are hybrid integrated designs with tube pre and MOSFET solid state amp sections. Sound Approach sells the latter with a 10% discount and a trial period, which is nice. Either should do a great job filling in what you’re missing in the upper mids while retaining what you like about the Exposure. Just some ideas to ponder FWIW, and best of luck. |
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