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Tube Power Amp Suggestions

I have been looking for a tube power amp. Ideally I want to have about 40 to 70 watts output power, with sound qualities as close to a delicate SET amp as possible, with lots of details, fast, good tone (a tiny bit on the warm side) and imaging, yet with good bass and dynamic. Budget is about 10,000. Second-hand is fine. I know I am asking really too much and will probably get negative response because of this. I just want to get the best within my budget.    
      
My initial considerations are EAR 890 or EAR 861. What do you think?      
    
I heard people saying that push-pull amp can be better than SET if it is implemented well, but push-pull is more difficult to make than a SET amp.    
      
My speakers are measured 91db sensitivity, but it needs power to perform well. I have tried both a SET 300B XLS output at 13W and a push-pull EL34 at about 35W. My impression is as follow:            
      
- SET 300B XLS output at 13W: more delicate and smooth, better resolution and density, lack bass and dynamic       
- Push-pull EL34 at 35W: much more bass and dynamic, sounds a bit coarse, less 3-dimensional and delicate     
    
Thank you in advance for your input. 
   

bigdish
bigdish OP
18 posts
 
Thank you all for your recommendations。

Hi Lancelock, many thanks for your insight。Do you think having this zero impedance product connecting my 13w 300b amplifer and speakers will work well? 
   
I am a bit worried it would somewhat degrade the sound quality. Unfortunately I am not able to redesign the crossover。 
lancelock
1,094 posts
 
Big dish,

I would call Mark at LTA for advice. He's a great guy.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Big dish,
The Zero transformer will allow your 13 watt SET amplifier to drive a higher impedance thus an easier load for it to drive. I use an 8 watt SET amplifier driving 14 ohm load speakers and it’s an ideal match.

I believe that in your case a 845 SET with a very good power supply and quality output transformer with 4 ohms speaker taps would be sucessful for your desire to have excellent SET performance.
Charles
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 
I used a Zero and please know it does mess with the sound and in the end was not a good solution for me. It just introduces its own personality to the resulting sound. I used one with Atmasphere amps. 


grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 
Forgot to mention I did get more volume, but lost sound quality. 
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