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Need amp suggestions for Hedlund Horns....

A few months ago, I heard a Cary 300b amp hooked up to some small monitors and was blown away... so the itch to upgrade started.

I just bought used a pair of Hedlund horns... came with it (free) was a diy homemade tube amp that does not sound adequate (based on what I heard these horns can do).

I’m in the market for a used amp that would be the ideal match for these Hedlunds. From what I read, I have several options such as 300b, 2A3, etc. but what would you recommend?  I've never had a low-power SET amp before.  

My room is 25’x 30’ with vaulted ceilings (large enough), wood floors, fairly open. I listen to everything from classic jazz, horns, classical, vocals, and the occasional rock. I would love to have some volume to feel the energy and texture of the song.


128x128ramoneo14
bradf's avatar
bradf
324 posts
 
The following input is not based on knowledge of your particular speaker, but instead, reference to amps specifically designed for single driver and / or high efficiency designs.  In my opinion, all the company's listed below offer highly recognized, very good value, entry level amps, and higher end products; you will find many associated reviews on line. This is by no means an all inclusive list, just those that come to mind.
Good luck, hope you get many years of enjoyment from your new speakers.

Coincident Technologies
http://www.coincidentspeaker.com/mpsip_amps.html
http://www.coincidentspeaker.com/index.html

Decware
http://www.decware.com/newsite/homepage.html
http://www.tonepublications.com/review/decware-zen-torii-mk-3-amplifier/

Sophia Electric (In Virgina)
http://sophiaelectric.com/
http://www.stereophile.com/content/sophia-electric-91-01-300b-monoblock-power-amplifier#rFIcMPbQAcye...

Yamamoto
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto2/45_2.html

Don Garber Fi
http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1212/garber_fi_x4.htm
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/fi6/421A.html

Triode Corporation
http://www.triode.co.jp/index_eng.html

Triode Lab
http://www.triodelab.com/
http://www.triodelab.com/2a3-set/

Finale Audio
http://www.finaleaudio.com/
http://www.finaleaudio.com/f108/




gwalt
162 posts
 

I am not familiar with  your horns or the drivers involved but you do have a big room. Since there is a popular play in 300B tubes manufactured today with many choices I would check a 300B with a stiff power supply for bass control.

There is a Border Patrol EXD powered amp. on the gon right now and with the EML 300B I predict you would be very happy if you can afford that quality. BP can and will drive some other speakers.

Best of Luck

gwalt

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 
Ramoneo14,
Congratulations on acquiring your new horn speakers. Your speakers may be efficient and sensitive enough to be adequately driven with a 45 or 2A3 SET amplifier, how sensitive is the speaker?

I’m more familiar with 300b SET amplifiers and fortunately for you there are many High quality choices available. Gwalt mentioned the necessity of a "stiff"power supply and he’s correct. I would add that output transformer quality is a crucial factor. The Border Patrol amplifiers he cited and my Coincident Frankenstein MK II SET are two examples of very high quality 300b amplifiers, there are certainly other fine choices as well.

Do you have a specific budget? Be careful with lower priced SETs, there are good value amps to find as long as corners aren’t cut in regard to power supply and transformer quality. If you exercise some patience and do some reading and research you’ll find a very good match for your speakers. You're on the right pathway, a high quality 300b SET will provide you with superb music reproduction. 
Good luck,
Charles,
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