Take a listen here before you jump into huge mono-tubed heaters 😜😂😂
Parasound Halo JC 1 Plus
I get the tube romance, as every guitar amp I own is all-tune.
Parasound Halo JC 1 Plus
I get the tube romance, as every guitar amp I own is all-tune.
Which amplifier should i buy
Hi,
Iv'e already asked , quite similar question , but i would like to clarify my question. So , Iv'e ordered a new speakers, Magico A3 and now i want to buy an amplifier, a tube amplifier. The amount of money that i can allow myself is up to 20,000$. The possibilities that i thought about are : zesto eror 300 / vtl MB -450 series ||| signature / vac phi 170 (two - i mean transform it monobloc) . Those are the options that i thought about till now. Does anyone can recommend which is the best option in this amount of money , it doesn't have to be from the option list that i mentioned.Unfortunately there are brands that i can not buy in my country (ISR) , for example cat....
Thanks to anyone .
Iv'e already asked , quite similar question , but i would like to clarify my question. So , Iv'e ordered a new speakers, Magico A3 and now i want to buy an amplifier, a tube amplifier. The amount of money that i can allow myself is up to 20,000$. The possibilities that i thought about are : zesto eror 300 / vtl MB -450 series ||| signature / vac phi 170 (two - i mean transform it monobloc) . Those are the options that i thought about till now. Does anyone can recommend which is the best option in this amount of money , it doesn't have to be from the option list that i mentioned.Unfortunately there are brands that i can not buy in my country (ISR) , for example cat....
Thanks to anyone .
110 responses Add your response
The peanut gallery (me) recommends Pass Labs XA-60.8 amps; these are Class A amps; I base my recommendation on the following: There is a fella named Jay on YouTube (he has a "channel") and he recently acquired a pair of astounding Magico M6 speakers; connected to it, he's running a Pass XP-32 line stage, and the XA-60.8 amps. In one of the recent introductory videos, I believe a representative from the factory, or the store he bought them from was there to help Jay set up the speakers in his listening room. The Representative appears to have never listened to Pass gear before and he was beyond surprised, in a good way of course. As the saying goes - happy hunting (for amplifiers). |
+1 For Atma-Sphere MA-1 After decades of being a dedicated SET guy, I am now a major Atma fan boy! Atmas are, literally, 1 SET per channel functioning in push pull mode. They give the sweetness and musicality of SETs with the detail of SS. The only other amp I would consider, regardless of price, is the CAT JL7. Like the MA-1, it uses a lot of tubes. But unlike the Atma, it uses an output transformer. But its output transformer is among the best made and the JL7 is among the best amps made. But for a lot less money, the MA-1 is unique and great! I know you are not in the US but would highly recommend that you give Ralph at Atma-Sphere a call. He is a true gentle |
I can say that a magico is a hard load to drive and an acoustic suspension speaker so a tube amp is not a good option unless it has 2 ohm taps and high power and current which means large mono blocks like the vtl mentioned i would opt for a vintage high current solid state amp the low end and tonality will be much better with one than tubes and the maintenance costs will be a whole lot less. |
chorus They sound like they "could" be a real winner, as it’s said they use 1.5mhz switching frequency, like the mega dollar SE-R1. I started a new thread on these as they look very promising. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mytek-empire-monoblock-power-amps-with-gan-based-technology (put the tube to bed with these speakers haimr OP) Cheers George |
If you can wait a year or so, a new tube is on the horizon. The KT-170 is supposed to be a powerhousehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Tung-Sol-Platinum-Matched-QUAD-FOUR-NEW-KT-170-NIB-KT170-tubes-24hr-Burn-in... |
I listened to the A3 a few months ago while auditioning speakers. At the time I took my ARC Ref110 with KT120 so I could have a fair comparison what each speaker sounded like with my own amp. The A3 did not sound that good with the ARC. The dealers also agreed and said the A3 like higher powered solid state. |
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From all I’ve read over a period of time the CAT JL5/JL7 power amplifiers have more stout/robust power supplies higher reserves and energy storage thus higher current capability compared to ARC . This according to posters on the whatsbestforum.com forum who’ve compared these two brands. I’ve heard both but not in direct A/B listening. Charles |
Now that you have seen opinions from everyone else, I'll add my 2 cents. For considerably less money, I strongly suggest that you look at the UNISON RESEARCH "UNICO 90 or the "UNICO 150". Hybrid design allowing reproduction reflecting the best of both worlds. I consider these to be "musician's amplifiers". If you desire to spend more, consider their monoblocks and preamps. |
Carver 350 monos will handle any speaker you throw at them. And at under 10 grand you will have money to spare to change out the signal tubes to NOS. The power tubes are kt120's and with Carvers DC restorer circuit they run very cool and have huge long life. I believe they warranty the tubes for 10 years. Unheard of. Definitely something to consider. |
Nice set up! I had the ARC Anniversary 40th, followed by the the Ref 10 preamp and I auditioned both the BAT and CAT counterparts as well as the Soulution 725. I finally landed on the Octave Jubilee Preamp. It was the clear winner over the competition and after 3 years I have never cast a wondering eye to other offerings. Best of luck in your hunt. Have fun! |
Another hybrid suggestion: Absolare Integrated. I've only heard them once at a show but they sounded very good, very natural. https://www.absolare.com/integrated-amplifier/ |
jjss492
is absolutely correct
haimr, running a tube amp with speakers that have a 4Ω impedance and are only 88dB efficient is swimming against the tide. Running a tube pre-amp with a H.Q SS amp may give you the sonic signature you're looking for without the hassle/expense of tubes. Any idea the number of tubes you're going to go through driving that kind of load? I suppose you're over 21 so you're going to do what you're going to do. I'd recommend the Antique Sound Lab, Hurrican. 200 watts of juice, they're reasonable priced, and with your budget they'll be plenty of elbow room left over to buy tubes. https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=antique+sound+labs+hurricane |
Have you looked at McIntosh? A hybrid MA1200 would be killer with those speakers and have all the power yet the smoothness of the tube front end you are looking for. Plus they have looks that kill! https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MA12000 If you are not a McIntosh Autoformer fan then look at their MA352 which is another hybrid of theirs that has big power and is aesthetically stunning! Here is a good review on it where the reviewer has Magico A5 with it. Email him and ask any questions on how the amp pairs with the Magicos https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/reviews/462-mcintosh-laboratory-ma352-integrated-ampli... Good luck and have fun with those beautiful speakers! |
Why on earth would anybody drive those speakers with a tube amp? Tubes are fun with high efficiency speakers with modest current demands (pretty much the opposite of the Magicos).Many good ss suggestions above, but with the kind of dough you want to spend might as well get the Hegel H30 and buy a second one when you can afford it (you probably won't). Alon would likely concur. |
