2. amps-preamps
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Tubes?

I have Revel Salon 2 speakers. Sensitivity is about 85 db. and 4 ohms. They are power hungry speakers. Currently, I am driving them with McIntosh 601's and a McIntosh solid state preamp. I was look looking at a pair of McIntosh MC2301. They are tube amps rated at 300 watts into 2 - 8 ohm loads. I listen to all types of music (sometimes at very high levels). I never run out of power with the 601's, but I am very intrigued with tubes. This may be a misconception, but I remember some friends who played guitar saying, tube watts were louder than solid state? Perhaps this is not really true or not true regarding home stereo. Perhaps the best idea is to keep the 601's and get a good tube preamp?                          Thanks, Dave 
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markusthenaimnut's avatar
markusthenaimnut
354 posts
 
Before you spend money, I encourage you to read Roger Sanders white paper on tubes vs. Solid state.  Available on the Sanders sound systems website. Very helpful. 
mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
Do not be so concerned with wattage, a  good hefty 50 lb tube amp will drive mosr mid sized low eff(89db/lower) speakers, 
@ 50 lbs, (push pull, not SET), you'll have good trans to push the Revels.So you will need a tube amp that delivers at least 35+ watts. <<True> 35 watts. Not <hyped> watts.

Look for the 6550/KT88 tube as my prefered musical tube.

mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
recommend 95dB or higher. This alone will solve all your problems as going from 85dB to 95dB drops your power requirement by TEN TIMES! You can go from using all 300 watts and wishing you had more to being happy as a clam with a 30 watt tube amp.


You ideas are pretty much in line with my mine above

Exactly, he will need at least 35 watts to push a  85db speaker. Trans will have to be high performers =< Beefy>

Keep the 95 ravels', and find a 6550/kt88 which delivers 35+ <clean pure true > watts.
. 
I think its good ss fans are finally waking up to the superior musicality of a tube amperage. 
Its suble, but its * The Real Deal*
ss wattage would fatigue my ears in 1 hour of less. 
My tech guy was working on my Defy and lent me his ss Yamaha, not sure which modle,, old unit,,,lol,, wowo, aftera  few seconds , i put it up,, and suffered w/o music a few more days.
<There is not a  ss amp in the world which could meet my musiacl preference /acceptance standards.>
~~could n't resist, I am the #1 basher of ss labs.~~ 


mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
take any 70 watt ss amp vs my Jadis Defy 70 watter,, HA!, shootout at OK Coral,, ss pants shot down  before he even had a chance to make his draw.
tobor007's avatar
tobor007 OP
135 posts
 
Thanks guys. Great stuff to consider. My last speakers were jbl 250ti's. Accurate? no. Powerful? Oh good grief. The Salons have a beautiful tone and good detail. Not best for powerful rock music, although with clean power they never seem to strain. Perhaps not the best choice but still great speakers overall. Down the rabbit hole for me? Probably. I have 2 JL Audio Fathom 112's on the way. Dave
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