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Tannoy Westminster amp matching question.

Hello again everyone. Its been a while but I'd like your advice if possible.

I'm waiting for a pair of Tannoy Westminster royal SE's to arrive ( end of dec ). And I'm wondering what to amps to match them with. I have very limited funds at the moment(budget of 3k or so), having lashed out on the speakers, and I'm thinking I'd like to go SET power amps again. So looking at second hand bargains. At the moment I'm thinking Sophia Electric 300b or Art Audio symphony II. Alternative suggestions please !!!!

To give you an idea of my tastes. The system I've put together, that I enjoyed the most, was Avantgarde Duo's and Yamamoto A08s. Loved it. I listen to all sorts of music: Rock, choral, opera, jazz. Love well done female vocals :-)

Thanks for your time.
borg7x9
vladimir
346 posts
 
Since you already own good temporary amplifiers, the idea of saving to purchase a great tube amp is a wise one. I would add one the list that may solve any power problem: Manley Neo-Classic SE/PP 300B (11W/24W) for different times of day/mood and great sound either way.

Enjoy your superb speakers meanwhile!
borg7x9 OP
91 posts
 
Hi Guys, thanks for your very helpful suggestions. While I am very keen to go back to directly heated SET, from what you mention above, I'm not sure the usual fare will be "powerful" enough. Tannoy recommends min 50 watts, but the specs (99db 1w/M) suggest that 8-10 watts would be enough. I have read Jeff Days reviews(and chatted with him) and he loved the Sophia 300b's with the Wests as well which seem to bare this out. Also I tend not to listen at very high volumes.

Off the back of your suggestions I'm going to take the following, pragmatic approach.

1. Run the wests with my current(no pun intended)amps.
2. Try a number of SET amps that I can demo from local retailers (I'm in NewZealand so not in plentiful supply).
3. Off the back of that determine if the Low powered SET approach will work for me.
4. If I enjoy the SET over my existing amp selection, I'll buy a suitable "special" one having saved up enough to spend 10k ish on something used.

Then I'll have to chat to you about pre-amps !!!

Thanks all for helping me to this decision. I'll let you know how everything works out.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Borg,
Your plan is rational.I admit a bias toward SET amps as compared to other genres I`ve heard/tried they sound the most realistic and true to live music. Obviously we all hear things differently and choose accordingly. You may find that OTL or push-pull tubes(perhaps solid state or class D) is better for your taste.I wish you much sucess in your amplifier search, your ears will lead the way.
Regards,
jburidan
803 posts
 
Charles1dad is right, in that SET amps will drive them fine. IMHO, 300B SET sound is best.
borg7x9 OP
91 posts
 
Charles,
I must admit to being an SET man at heart as well. If I thought I could get away with it I'd go 45 based amps but I fear that would be a step too far. I really, really Loved the yamamoto a08-s but at max 2 watts per channel simply not enough for the Tannoys (great with the avantgardes), although jeff Day did suggest that I tried it with the Tannoys. There is a Shindo dealer in Auckland so I may see if I can demo some of their kit if I cant find a suitable SET. Surely I can. Much fun !!
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