Amplifier Recommendations to Match the Tannoy GRF90

Thanks blindjim, i share those views... and Pass is actually in my thoughts. Tubes are nice, and i own some nice ones, but I've come back on them, except for smaller applications. In reliability, power, dynamics, attack, bass control, all versus their cost and put up against serious and well built SS, they seem to lose the battle, especially for bigger speakers and rooms.

Your welcome.

I’m hoping to experience the antithesis of your account of Tube vs SS. Although I enjoy both amplification platforms. Depending.

My fantasy or groundless imaginations are that a pair of VAC IQ 200s or Burning OTL 200s should do the trick, given the proper loudspeakers. Meaning 93 – 95db. Or thereabouts in a not huge enclosed room.

Being less funded than imaginative I’d like to do it for less. Certainly. It is however why Tannoy has slid onto a speaker not terribly short list.

Somehow tubes and 93db speakers in a medium sized room presented everything the SS amps the tubes replaced demonstrated audibly. My recollections don’t account for degrees from one to the other. Only that everything presented by the SS power was as well delivered buy the tube amps. To my ears, the naturalness factor grew when listening to tube monos. Or at least it seemed that way.

I will admit I added a Velo DD15 after a while. Should have added two. But, then I like a very adept and strong bass presence, if there’s no overhang blurring the mids. It did not.

Lastly, the main theme I hear on the Pass Labs XA amps is the higher you go the less wet the sound. 30s being the juiciest. They sure ain’t slouches further up either as I’ve heard 100s, and some others above them.

Good luck.

As you've probably read, Nelson Pass uses Tannoy's for a lot of his amplifier testing/voicing.  If you're thinking about going that way, you would be best served by emailing Nelson and asking for his recommendation (or Kent English @ PassLabs) for your particular model.  They will not just try to sell you on the most expensive model and don't care if you're buying new or used. 

Hi hddg
I have very high regard for Coincident products and have owned their Statement Line Stage, Frankenstein (300b SET) and Total Eclipse II speakers for 8 blissful years.

You have a preference for solid state I realize but I think that the Coincident Dragon MK II could be an exceptionally good match with your Tannoys. My Frankenstein is superb sounding but wouldn’t be appropriate for what you are seeking.
Best of luck,
Charles ,

Hi charles1dad,

Funny!! I actually own all the amps you are talking about, and i will be trying the Dragon on the Tannoy for sure. But I am in a tropical region and summer with big PP 211 tubes is just very sweaty. Moreover, i have tried those on the Westminster GR (99dB!!!), they were doing actually well, but i’m a real difficult guy when it comes to sound, and thought that they did not have full dynamic control and did not completely seperate instruments, especially bass at higher level. So i am suspecting they wont fully satisfy me with the GRF, along with the heat issue. I must admit that the Coincident products generally have great sound when they are working properly. But I’ve had a lot of "bad luck" with them for just about every single thing i bought there, although I kept renewing my trust to I.Blume, but susbequent orders kept coming with issues, and it was never his fault, always the transport or something else, and he would never make up for it, unless I argued strongly with him. I have conculded that there is some serious quality control problems at CST, and with the assembly/mounting of gears at the workshop. His attitude has been unacceptable, and I have decided to end all relations with CST. Just recenlty with the preamp, less than 2yrs old, the right hand side volume has come off from inside. I am sure (and hope) it is easy to repair, but this should not happen and does not happen with other gear at that price.