2. amps-preamps
  3. 136176-7301

Low Watt Solid State Amp

I am a tube guy.  Have been for the last 20 years.  I have various tube amps that I rotate depending on my mood.  More recently, I have had the urge to add a solid state amp to the rotation.  Looking for something clean, detailed, natural sounding that is in the neighborhood of 20 to 50 watts.  I use a deHavilland Ultraverve 3 preamp with relatively high efficiency Tonian Lab speakers.  Firstwatt comes to mind but is higher than I want to spend right now.  Budget is about $1,000.  Looking for a diamond in the rough kinda piece.  For example, one of the tube amps that puts a smile on my face every time I plug it in is my Dynaco ST-35 -- not a huge investment, but just always sounds right.  Any ideas are much appreciated.  Thanks
gotog
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
The Van Sistine Vision SET 120 amplifier seems like a well thought out straightforward design.  60 watts class A/B with apparent high bias although not specified how many watts in pure class A. Certainly could be a fine sounding amplifier but it isn't  ep a pureclass A circuit. 
Charles 
eldonparet's avatar
eldonparet
26 posts
 
You mean Van Alstine.
I heard the SET at Axpona and it sounds great.






charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Yep, meant Van Alstine, autospell got me again. Amplifiers such as this which employ simple circuits often sound exceptionally good. I was just curious about how much power in class A before if switches to class B for additional power..
Charles
armstrod
610 posts
 
Adaug:

The Monarchy SM-70s I owned didn't just run hot, they were blazingly hot. No free lunch in Class A.

David
gotog OP
128 posts
 
@charles1dad, I checked with Van Alstine, and Frank said about the first 10 watts are Class A.  Could be a nice match with my speakers which use Philips 9710 drivers, 95db, 8 ohm; generally listening at lower to moderate volume.
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