I have a "high output" Dennis Had Firebottle that has 4 tubes and 12 to 17WPC. He does still make these sometimes and might make one for you if you email him (Ebay mail).
Cornwall IV – tube (amp) choice
I recently bought the Cornwall IVs and even while running with my old and small Rotel amp they make me pretty happy. But having listened to them plugged to a tube amp in the shop this will be the next investment. And with no proper shop around where I can compare different models and different tube types I´m depending on other people´s experiences. I know that once I have any amp here tube rolling will be the next thing to try but for now I´d like to know if someone can tell me something about different tube types or amps that work well with the Cornwall IVs (or similar sounding speakers).
Of course I´m looking for the warmth that the current amp does not provide. Also it seems that the highs are a bit too pronounced, so I´m willing to trade some of those in if it means gaining more low-mids and lows. Having said that, I´m not looking for boom, just a little more cozyness.
Some tube amps I came across:
lab12 integr4 (KT150)
Primaluna evo 300 (EL34 – I´m a bit afraid of the evo 400, 8 power tubes are a bit intimidating when it comes to rolling or exchanging broken tubes)
Willsenton R800i (300B / 805)
My desired price range is up to $3.000 but well, the primaluna are already above that limit.
As you can see I´m not afraid of chinese brands. I´m living in Europe and dependend on what´s available here.
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That little Luxman is a wonderful 10 wpc tube amp, punches above it’s weight class. I have it in my office. Lowest power amp I ever owned, and it did well playing my Wharfedale Diamond 225’s which are the least efficient speakers I ever had, 87db. Now driving my restored AR-2ax’s very nicely. In that 10 x 12 room, at the moderate level I listen to there. I hooked it up downstairs to the big horns/15" woofer, at least 102db efficiency like the Cornwalls. Sounded great, but in that space, to get to live levels, and have some reserve for peaks, I felt I was pushing it too much, I’m not used to volume knob being nearly full on. |
Thanks again for further recommendations. Luxman, Jadis, Enleum – they all seem great. After reading and watching quite a few reviews of different amps I´m still wondering why tube types are not given priority over specific amps. Like for example: These speakers really go well with EL34s, because sound characteristic xy. @gratefuldentist Oh yes, they like to be toed in. I have to move them to the wall during the day when the kids are around and listen to them like that sometimes. They still sound very good likethat, but toeing them back in makes a massive difference. I put the speakers on boards with tiny transport wheels underneath so moving them is no problem. |
pick tube type first, then find an amp. that’s kinda what I was saying when I listed all the tube types I have heard, said research tube alternates, generalities of sound, keep easy bias in mind. In addition to needing 16 ohm taps, KT88 is how I selected my Cayin which I knew could use either 6550’s or KT88’s. 6 moons review sold me! I guessed the KT88 would be a slightly more powerful KT66. Some amps offer EL34 or it’s substitutes, or a switch for a different tube type. Next we have your ears/preferences, for a first time tube experience, a trip or two to a showroom is wise, however, you would want to hear the same input/preamp/speakers, that’s not easy. Live near me in NJ, come on by! In any case, what brand KT88? what in front of it, 12ax/12au or 6sn7/6sl7. Cayin my first amp with 6sn7/6sl7, and I was quite surprised at the change in sound two different makers. Luckily I bought my tubes from Brent Jesse, he let me finish burning them in 60 hrs first, then exchange for full credit, tried a different brand at half the price, sounded twice as good! |
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