Tannoy Westminster amp matching question.

Everyone has an opinion about what amplifier type is better than others.You could find many sucessful and talented builders of SET amplifiers who would disagree with atamaphere`s viewpoint and in fact make a very compelling case opposite of his.Borg,you`ve used SET amps and obviously came to your own conclusions based on actual listening experiences.SET amps have flaws and so do OTL, push-pull tube and any other amp topology you can mention.

I believe a variety of amps could work well with the Tannoys,Borg you like SET amps for one very good reason,they sound fantastic and really involved you with your music.I`ve heard OTL amps,they were good, but I find SET more realistic and natural to my ears. Others will hear things differently and that`s to be expected.

Borg, I hope you can hear the Atmasphere OTL amp and a good PP tube amp and compare to a good SET amp. I don`t believe the Viva Solista is a potential mistake at all. Listening will settle this as it always does.
Charles,

I've heard the Solista in a number of systems, including with Avantgarde Duos and a custom horn system (105 db/w efficient), and thought that it sounds pretty good. The Solista is not that far off from the sound of a 45 tube amp, so it should be to your liking. If you can get that anywhere near the price range you specified, that would be quite a miracle, given how expensive these amps are.

Keep in mind that the replacement tubes for that amp will not be cheap. In addition to the 845 output tube, that amp uses 211s or 845s as rectifiers. In that application, the tube might last a long time, but, if that is not the case, the cost of replacing the rectifiers would be pretty high.

I also agree that you should, if possible, hear a good OTL amp. The immediacy and "jump" factor with an OTL is pretty exciting and hard to duplicate with other types of amps. One can get similar results with the low powered SET amps (e.g., a 2a3 amp), but, usually that involves very efficient speakers and quite expensive amps.

Atmasphere,
This Tannoy is 98 db at 1 watt-8ohms,Reviewer Jeff Day(PFO) said his 8 watt SET drove this speaker with complete control(better than his push-pull Leben)and was the best sound ever in his personal reference system.He`s had this combo for nearly 2 years and his feelings have`nt changed.

My speaker is 94 db(non horn speaker) and my SET is 8 watts 300b mono blocks and replaced my 100 watt(UL)- 60 watt(triode)PP mono blocks amplifier. Why? it out performed the higher power amplifier.I really hope Borg compares the Viva with one of your amplifiers and shares his impressions.He may or may not like your OTL better. There`s only one way to know for sure.I still recall CES 2010, best room I heard there was the Viva 845 amp driving Trenner-FriedL Box speaker(98 db 1 W 8 ohms(it is`nt a horn speaker). The music reproductin was very emotional,realistic, totally extraordinary!

Regards,

Not to debate as to which approach is best. Just thought of sharing my real living
experience with them. I supposed one's listening habit - type of music, genres,
loudness - do play an important role here too.

Sold my Ongaku to a close friend using AudioNote corner speakers - match made in
heaven. My Cary300SE to a guy using AG Trios, again perfect synergy. Just trying to
point out here that although spec wise seems OK--SET friendly, IME, the Tannoys 15"
take a little more than 8-15watts, to fully explore/exploit their FULL potentials - in
utter effortlessness, grandeur (scale), as well - true deep bass (dynamic).

Remembered, we did tests with Sheffield Drum Tracks + few other test CDs, Hugh
Masakela Stimela track, Superman's/StarTrek's Themes back then. When some tracks
containing sustained low bass/huge dynamic swings/effects (ie.rolling thunder, church
organs etc.) started playing, it was quickly obvious that the lower power SETs are a no
go with Tannoy WRs. On the other hand, with most normal music at more normal
listening levels - they are sublime.

So, if total versatility is also a priority, best option is to then keep two variants to play
with for when mood swings!? :p SET+PP / SET+OTL!

*During those toying days, I've always kept my old (then new) FMA611 SS as standby -
never once did they (in any comparison) disappoint the slightest bit even amidst
(against) those tube greats, surpassing expectations, so much so that I've kept them
(the only amp) for 20yrs straight. So there you have it, 'another' viable option to look
at! ;))

Good luck with whichever route you chose to take!