Tube Power Amp Recommendations around $2000

I own Druids, and I've owned both the Almarro A205A and the Music Reference EM7. While both sounded great at low volumes, both ran out of steam when I turned it up.

In my experience, the efficiency of the Zu speakers is a little misleading. While 101 (or even 97) dB would indicate low power compatibility, I've found that those big ole' FRDs need some juice to really get them moving. I'm using an AudioSector Patek right now, but have been itching to try a tube amp with more power.

Lots of people love and use the Atma-Sphere S30 with Zu, but Ralph himself has stated he likes them better with the M60s, clearly out of the OP's price range. I really want to try the Music Reference RM-10, as I loved Roger's EM7 for pure sweetness.

Another intriguing option is the Quicksilver Horn Monos, specifically designed for high efficiency speakers. They're within the price range new, although rarely seen used.

Good luck with the Souls! If I didn't already own Druids + Mini Method, I'd be all over a pair of Superflys.

David

If the S30 is not enough power, then the RM10 would be my top recommendation $1,950 new, 1-1.2k used _ I have one and it is one of my favourite amps ever, if 35 watts is enough power - with the Zu it should alot of power (they are plenty with my 89db Merlin VSMs in my 12x18 room. The Horn Monos also sounds like a really good option, all QS I Have owned were very good amps.

Try ARC VT 130. An unsung hero and one of the "special" ones for those in the know. I had one for well over a decade before moving on to it bigger brother the VT 150s. Not sure it was a wise move on my part to go there..the VT 130 was that good. Fantastic mid range and surprising bass.

The ARC VT130 is a very good amp, but with the Zu I don't know why you would ever get an with that much power or that many tubes - a veyr good amp for tough loads and insensitive speakers - the Zu does not need a "monster" power amp.

Having previously owned a set of Druids, I do think that the choice of amplification is pretty critical. Right now, I'm running a PrimaLuna Prologue 3 and Wyred4Sound monoblocks that I will likely keep. When I had the Druids the Prologue 3 + 5 power amp combination felt like too much (in one sense at least)--the Prologue 5 putting out about 35 watts/channel. I think it felt like too much volume and not enough character, for lack of a better way to put it.

I'm a little torn. I like 'umph' but I also like a little finesse. I'm concerned that the gain on the Prologue 3 (which does not necessarily seem high) might have added to the dynamic. Since I'm going to keep the SS monoblocks ('umph'), my gut is to err on the side of finesse.

I have talked to the Zu guys this time around again, and am always struck by how much they really seem to groove on the synergy with the 300B, 2A3, and 45 tubes. That is more or less why I have mostly those amps in my shortlist.

I have thought a bit about going the integrated route--something along the lines of the Almarro. There are, of course, different dynamics at play if I have one set up that runs through the pre and another that does not, that is why my original thinking was the tube power amp route.