Tube Amplifiers: Carver Crimson 75 wpc or Primaluna Monoblocks


Looking for modestly powered tube amp to power high sensitivity speakers (> 92 db) in a new 12 × 16 foot listening room upstairs.  I have Canary 140 wpc monoblocks in my basement reference system and love them.  However, as I get older and tire of trying to lug around PassLabs 100 pound amps, I am setting up a low weight system.  The amps need to fit the following: 1) less than 50 pounds, 2) economical like under 5K, 3) at least 60 wpc, and 4) a recognized  extreme value piece of kit.  

I spoke with Don Sachs and he is semi-retiring or something along those lines.  He is not regularly building his amps/preamps anymore.  I did get on his waiting list with no real guarantees.

I appreciate your thoughts on the two amps I inquired about and any others that I did not. 
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xjaymark
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Likely speakers: Decware Turningpoint HR-1, Decware DNA, Spatial Audio M5 Sapphire, or possibly Tekton Open Baffle speakers.
Decide upon the speakers first and then the amplifier.

Also, what preamplifier is in the mix, or could you possibly be happy with an integrated?

In such a small room you might be fine with 20 (or so) GOOD tube watts, which would increase your choices considerably.

I hear you about the weight as I'm still hurting from transferring Six 20 pound bags of kitty litter up a flight of stairs (from the car trunk) a few days ago.

DeKay


In such a small room you might be fine with 20 (or so) GOOD tube watts, which would increase your choices considerably.

Indeed.