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Tube amps and heat

I have 2 systems in play. #1 PrimaLuna Dialogue amp with a Mytek Brooklyn DAC using Tidal. # 2 BelCanto Ref 600 Mono's same Mytek and Tidal.  I like the PrimaLuna slightly better. More separation and just the right amount of bass. The Bel Canto is very close but ever so slightly missing something, maybe in clarity separation. Since I live in AZ using the PrimaLuna with 14 tubes is difficult (HEAT). Question --- Is there am amp the will give me the sound of the PrimaLuna tube and not generate as much heat, something like a hybred. Or can I put in the BelCanto system a tube pre amp/hybred and get the tube benefit on that system as well. I've been using the PrimaLuna system during the winter, however we are starting to warm up here. 90+ this weekend and I'm afraid I'll have to shut down the PrimaLuna for 6 months or so. Suggestions anyone. BTW I just tried a Aesthetix Calypso Pre with the Bel's and didn't like the sound. I could live with it, but it's not what I'm looking for.
Thanks

gary
128x128onehole149
freediver
1,163 posts
 
Hybrid is a good compromise.Nothing is perfect & you may notice a slight loss of tube magic but small price to pay for heat savings...
As for hardware there's Unison Research,BAT,Vincent,Rogue Audio,Croft to name a few...
chazzzy007
540 posts
 
BAT gets so many things right with their amps. My solid state is extremely dynamic, and detailed with amazing Bass control. It delivers a deep soundstage with lots of width and height, and is just to the warm side of neutral. It's very musical and runs cooler than my class D NAD did. 👍
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,871 posts
 
Interesting thread. This subject...heat..is one that many a'philes should consider before purchasing the tube amp with multiple power tubes, IMO.
BTW, BAT is one of the worst offenders in this regard with their tube amps. ( Not saying their ss amps are). A good general rule is to look for an amp that is lower powered and has as few power tubes as possible. Fewer tubes= less heat. Plus, IME, the lower powered tube amp most time sounds a lot better than its higher powered brethren.
To the OP, depending on budget, I would suggest the new CAT JL5 Black Path amp...a superb peace that doesn't give off too much heat; or again if budget allows...a Jadis JA30Mk2, which is the amp i am currently using and it is magic.
rhljazz
1,253 posts
 
I’m in AZ as well and know what you’re talking about.  I have summer and winter setups.  My BAT VK55 is a heat monster and right now with temps reaching the nineties it’s reaching my limits for afternoon operation.  If I don’t want to change speakers, I can switch to my VAC amp which runs much cooler but doesn’t sound quite as good.

In my summer setup I use a tube preamp (VAC or Manley) with a W4S amp.  I think you just need to find a tube preamp that mates well with your Bel Cantos.  The PrimaLuna preamps are tube rectified which make more heat so that may not be the solution either.  The Manley is really good for the money.  I like it way more than the Audio Research preamps.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
There is a simple inexpensive solution for amps that make heat, which is to vent air above them out of the room. IOW you don't have to run your air conditioning to stay comfortable on account of the amp. For the small price of some dryer ducting and a low speed fan, problem solved.
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