Anyone pairing Cornwall IVs with solid state amplification to good results?


Because I have an obsessive need to try out all sorts of gear, I paired my Cornwall IVs with a nice Marantz PM KI Ruby integrated.  What surprised me was I actually liked a Class D design at a "reasonable price" and the resulting sound is more than livable.  It's a great pairing. 

There's little chance I sell off my tube museum of gear and valves, but this experiment was a pleasant surprise.  I have now tried them with push pull EL 34, KT88/KT120, KT150, 300 B, and Class A solid state, and Class D solid state. 

Any of you out there in hifi land using a solid state amplifier with Cornwall IVs or a horn loaded speaker to great effect?   I am appreciative to hear your experience. 

128x128jbhiller

I had been using a Pass XA25 until I received the First Watt SIT 3. I think this is  great combo. It’s so organic and seemingly built around a lush mid Range. The Bass isn’t bad either…it’s very ballsy, not near as fast as the Pass, but still hard hitting. I’ve been obsessed with listening to Eric Clapton’s unplugged and Lady in the balcony. It’s beautiful.

Upstream is a Coincident Statement and a BorderPatrol SEi. Upstream a blusound node 2i, probably the next upgrade.

if your into clean and clinical, this ain’t your thing, but you wouldn’t have Klipsch speakers either. It’s just lush and gorgeous. I’m addicted

 

 

@jbhiller 

The Allnic is a great sounding amp. I actually had it before the LS II so I had it paired with the CW IV, which sounded great also. I replaced a Don Sachs pre/Aric Audio amp with the Allnic.

Thank you jbh and Dan. Unfortunately, sometimes things backfire. My wife liked the new cabinet so much she just spent my Trinnov Amethyst money on furniture. Actually, two Trinnov Amethysts on furniture. The old furniture was the wrong color. I now own stock in the Ekornes company. 

@jbhiller 

 

Try the LSA Voyager 350 GaN amp, afterwhich, you might be having a used amp sale

Great responses. 

@coachpoconnor , the Pass XA25 needs to be in the system at some point.  I have a black Blusound Node 2i that I only used for about 6 months before I built a Roon NUC Rock endpoint.  I don't have the box.  PM me if you want to buy it. It's just sitting here.  PS I have Blusound devices throughout the house--just not in my music room anymore. 

@ozzy62 ,  I remember you had a Don Sachs.  That Allnic is beautiful.  Do you feel you're off the upgrade carousel?  I would think it will be difficult for you to do much better.

@mijostyn , your built in is super impressive.  I am envious Sir!  You should be very proud. 

@tweak, I would try that GaN amp.  I may sell some stuff to finance trying one.  

@bjesien , I really respect what they aim to do on ASR.  I tried a couple of their top rated DACs (I think one was Topping and the other I know was SML or something).  Both sounded crystal clear and super for the money.  But, neither sounds as good as my Doge Tube DAC or Marantz Ruby SACD/DAC when streaming.  The sound was not 3D, the soundstage was like a letter box.  Everything sounded clean and clear but it was jammed in to a letterbox size soundstage.  20 years ago those DACs would be amazing.  Today, I think they are B+/A-, which is awesome for the money.  But they are evangelistic in their commitment to them on ASR. To each, his/her own.