2. amps-preamps
  3. 155722-143982

Demo'ing Class A amps, Appreciation Suggestions from those who recently been there

I recently sold my Cary S120MKll Amp in 2 days. It was 60wpc triode.
Filling in with Pass Lab, baby DIY Class A Mono blocks. Maxing at 7 wpc.
My speakers are rated 94 Sensitivity older FSMs by Tannoy.

I have sampled so far in order of preference:

-Pass Labs XA25 -Disneyland color the way I like it. $4,900 new
-Leben 300 Int. 12 wpc. EL 84s by Golden Lion-Like an Upscale call girl. Seductive. $4,000 new-Not in the running-

-Lejonklou Boazu Int.-40wpc S.S. Class a/b-Totally Pure. Almost hurts to hear a guitar slide. $4,000 new
-Sugden Masterclass IA 4 Class A to 33wpc. Very smooth but surprisingly not a great match with my Tannoys. $6,000?

What else would you think might be worth a listen?
I want to go Solid State this time. I enjoy the Class A resolution.
Yes the Leben is an outlier someone offered and I said "Sure"! Done with hum otherwise.


I listen from a low of 60 db to high of 75 db.
Room is irregular and medium sized in terms of cubic
feet. Treated as needed.

I want an amp that is satisfying enough to keep for the long run.
Someday I may add the others for a different sound or with less efficient planars, etc.

Price range $5k max.
Used preferred.
Willing to wait.

Brands I am have not heard but read positive comments about:
Ayre, Naim, Linn

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.
Please do not feel compelled to respond if you
have not been here in the last few years.





chorus
chorus OP
976 posts
 
Deco,

The Class A wait is downside. Advantage smaller amp. 
Leave it on unless you will be gone an extended time.

I have been advised the 6SN7 preamp tube is the way to go
if you buy any Amp. Love that Supratek line.
I am not opposed to a tube preamp. 
I had a tube preamp- the Audible Illusions L3B. 
Sold it as no preamp sounded better than a preamp
but that is another kettle o'fish.

Nelson advised me once that
"If you have to have a tube then consider".... 
I imagine his counterpart Wayne is making that call.

Your direction is very helpful, thank you. My speakers
allow for treble presence and treble energy adjustments
so I think I may dodge the fatigue factor. But maybe not.

The thing missing with the Cary is the resolution I hear
with the small Class A monos I have now. 

What brand/model of tube amps do you think might be 
a match?  Not the Cary 120 apparently.  High power not
a true need for me. Low power seems to be the more
musical of the two. Odd that NP's cheapest lowest
powered amp is the most musical in his line.
Perhaps he is working on a 12.5 wpc version now.

I have heard the Line Magnetic line and liked them.
Not in the VAC price range but they seem great.
Your suggestions? Thank you.

  
decooney
2,272 posts
 
@chorus , 

Are these an accurate photo of your FSM speakers?
http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/3/38319/fsm.com.jpeg

Are you using the 16ohm tap on your speakers when testing?

With FSMs, (I'm not a Tannoy expert - at all) but It's appears (as you are) worth doing more in-depth research on these before buying any amplifier(s). These speakers you have can be a bit picky.  While they seem efficient, doing some quick checking on my end there are repeated suggestions about some struggling with inadequate tube amps to drive these properly, and a few caving in to use "transistors based amps" to get the best out of them. Interesting. Digging some more, now I can see a bit more what brought you to Pass., and why you are reaching out for suggestions. There are more than a few that have matched up the XA-25 in this case. I'd call and talk to Wayne at Pass and again his perspective, first. Then, if you look at any tube amps again, I would look for musical 50w amps before low watt SET, but that's just me reading about your speakers some. More poking around with the Tannoy crew will help . 
cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 
Pass is the best. Long term reliability with class A heat can be a problem. Pass uses excellent components which achieve 15 to 20 years of trouble free operation.  Heat becomes a very important factor with class A.  Check the warranties. 
chorus OP
976 posts
 
cakyol,
In March I had the Pass XA25 in my system for 2 weeks running
continuously. It never become too warm to keep a hand on.
My tube amp put off 10 times the heat it seems.
I live in Phoenix Arizona.  We know something about heat. 

Pass has said they seldom see a repair issue on their gear.
Further they say that their caps are still good after 20 years.
That is a pretty solid reason to own a Pass.

They are in a state next door to AZ. Another plus.

Finally the XA25 has been marketed for 4 years now. Pass's biggest selling item. Check the Shark resale market right now. Hello New Zealand!! Price has not been raised since the inception $4,900.
As Stan used to say 'Nuff Said'
decooney
2,272 posts
 
Chorus,
Okay. Looking over some old notes and references. Interesting, and a completely different direction from low watt.

"High Current Amplifier" with proper drive for the FSMs. 

SET or tube amps with fleawatt grunt isn’t going to cut it on those.

>>The bass driver units require some current to work effectively and sound right<<

Get this, I even found a few instances up to 250w-300w Threshold Monoblocks or high current Accuphase amps being used with FSMs. For testing old used lower cost amps, got any friends around with a recapped/restored Nakamichi PA-7 Stasis amp or Threshold lying around?

Or, closer to new, it woud take a few grand more over your budget, there is a Pass INT-250 in Peoria AZ, closer to you - listed right here on Agon. Bet this would do it. Good luck :)
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa1b8d-pass-labs-int-250-solid-state?refsource=hifishark

More to discover