2. amps-preamps
  3. 165322-4660

Raven Audio Nighthawk

So the scuttlbutt on the Raven integrated amps is pretty good. But just how good are they? Are they good when compared to other comparably priced tube integrateds? Or are they better than some heavy hitters?

I currently have a NOSvalves ST-45 amp paired with a Don Sachs Model 2 (latest version) preamp and I am extremely happy with this pairing. With that said, I guess there is nothing really that I'm looking to improve. But since we all know how this game goes, I just wonder how much better (or not) the Blackhawk III would be. Consolidating two pieces down to one chasis is an attractive idea too.

I would love to hear from you if you own a Nighthawk or Blackhawk or have auditioned one against something else. I know they offer a 45 day trial period, but from my calculations if I don't like it it will cost me close to 400.00 out of pocket once the dust settles. So I'd like to go into this with a warm fuzzy that it's pretty darn good.

Oz



128x128ozzy62
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62 OP
3,225 posts
 
Are all 30wpc tube amps created equal in terms of speaker driving force?

The answer is a hard "no". The quality of the output transformers can vary wildly from design to design. And transformers are the heart and soul of tube amps. Not having heard a Raven amp as of yet, it’s hard for me to say. But all indications are that they sound much more powerful than their power rating would indicate.


BTW, I  had your amp back in the mid 90s. B&K are fine for a budget design, but nothing great about them. Even if you need a more powerful tube amp than the Raven, I would certainly look to replace that B&K with something else.


Oz


tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,029 posts
 
i would never gush on and on about an amplifier i have never heard, especially someone who holds your Rel in such disdain....

transformers dominate tube amp sound. Consider a Music Reference RM-9 class amplifier for your Ohm. Roger Modjeski was a genius, hand wound his own output transformers and they were unique to each amplifier....

Oz, pulling for you to weigh in with reality.....
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,029 posts
 
FWIW, one of the best output transformers ever designed and built is in the Mac MC240. oh and it measures well also.....

have fun, enjoy the music
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
@facten and tomic601,
+1. Good tube integrated amplifier compared to good tube seperates.
Very interesting.
Charles
xs1137's avatar
xs1137
49 posts
 
@sryeager I had a B&K ST-140 for many years till I replaced it with a Rogue Sphinx, which then later replaced with a Blackhawk. Each change has been a significant step up in sound quality. I’m so pleased with the Blackhawk that I’m fully enjoying just listening to music rather than critiquing the equipment. Both the B&K and Rogue amps are 100 wpc, and I’m using the same volume setting (10-11 o’clock) with the Blackhawk as I did with them (my speakers’ sensitivity is 90db).

Does Musical Concepts still do B&K mods?
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