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Member's recommendations for tube amplification

Your thoughts on options to consider:

- I'd prefer SET (open to DHT but not a requirement).

- I'm not looking for overtly warm, romantic or lush options.

- Minimum power in the teens to twenties, 10W being the floor.

- Open to higher power push-pull amps, but let's limit ceiling to around 60W.

- Single ended is fine though having XLR inputs would be nice (doesn't have to be true balanced)

- I'm cool with single chassis or monos.

- I have preferences for tube types, but leaving it open ended to get broad recommendations.

- I'm currently running an all solid state system, though have had tube based systems built around ARC, BAT, Ayon, Melody, Pathos, etc.

- Preamp will be a Pass XP-20 or the Metrum Adagio DAC direct to the amp.

- I'd like to stay around 3K used but can push the budget to 6K new/used.

- Speaker sensitivity is 94dB and higher.

THANKS!
david_ten
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Mountainsong, 
The Italians make some really fine 845 SET amplifiers 
Mastersound 
Audio Frontiers 
Viva , which I'm most familiar with and they sound superb. 
Well implemented 845 SETs are beautiful sounding for sure. It's good to see you soon thoroughly happy. 
Charles 
Post removed 
david_ten OP
5,480 posts
 
Time has flown. Over three months have passed since Charles' post.

Updates:

- The Tekton Design Special Edition Double Impacts (SEs) went in system on December 1st.
- I chose the Denafrips Terminator DAC over the Metrum Adagio.
- I recently ordered the Lyric Audio Ti 140 Mk 2 Push-Pull Integrated amp.

Particulars:

- The SEs are a 4Ohm design, with a listed sensitivity of 99dB 2.83V @1M 
- My room size is 19 ft wide (front wall) by 26 ft long by 9 ft high; with a partial divide at the midpoint, at 13 ft.
- Speakers are >4 ft from the front wall to the speaker back and ~5 feet to each side wall from the closest speaker side. Equilateral triangle with approx. 8ft sides, center to center to center.
- Most of my listening sessions are not loud. I average 60 to 70dB with max peaks in the high 80s; as measured at my listening position (via an app, A weighted); I often listen in the high 50s out of respect for family, when they are close by; the room, with nominal/regular background noise, runs in the low to mid 40s.
- Current pre and amp are the Pass XP-20 and XA-30.8

The Lyric Ti 140 Mk2 will come equipped with a KT150 quad (70W). Other power tube options are EL34/KT88/KT120;  12AX7 for Input stage; 12AU7 for Phase reversal; and 6SN7s as the power tube driver. Negative feedback is variable/adjustable. Here is the link to Lyric should you want more info: http://www.lyric-audio.de/ti140e.html

My rationale for choosing a Push-Pull Integrated is primarily Educational, to help determine direction and a final tube amp pairing with the SEs. It isn't / wasn't a choice to replace my Pass separates. My system as is, especially after the Sonore Signature Rendu SE and Denafrips DAC additions and with the SEs as the new speakers, is performing fabulously.

I just re-read this thread and it continues to be very informative for me  A number of your amp recommendations are still on my list. Thank you for all of your contributions.

If you have a reaction to the choice of the Lyric amp (positive or negative) please let me know why / your thoughts. If you have advice on how to proceed and evaluate direction with the Lyric as a component, please share. Thank You!!!
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