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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
 
Thanks again for all the ideas. That LTA is one I am quite curious about.
I need to determine whether my speakers can be satisfied with only
a 25 watt Pass or if more power is truly needed.
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
269 posts
 
Keep your eyes peeled for a used Luxman L-590 AX II.


Thats the itch i dont want to scratch.. was on my brain as I listened to the 550ax2 all weekend ... aye corona
ricevs
1,543 posts
 
http://www.10audio.com/valvet_e2-se.htm

Not much power.....but I bet plenty for 94db speakers at the levels you listen to.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,931 posts
 
Well, if that the direction you want to go in, SS will be faster and have better dynamics and more control over the music
I'm not ever sure that's the case either. I know of tube amps that are faster than most solid state amps. 'Dynamics' is often a word used to describe distortion, since so often the distortion is most apparent on transients. The ear uses higher ordered harmonics to sense sound pressure, so if that distortion is mostly on the transients (even in small amounts) the reproduction will seem to be more 'dynamic'.

But actual dynamic contrast is a function of the software/media, not the amp!
chorus OP
976 posts
 
Rice,

Thank you so much for introducing me to the 10Audio website.
I had never heard of it. I read his Valvet Int. review and now I
want to audition this product. Along the lines of LTA perhaps?
Do you own one? If so please tell me about it.
More to discover