Compact ~20WPC Tube Amp

@dhcod

Are you going to share the specifics on your speakers? I’m a huge fan of the EL84 tube but depending on your speakers, they could be wrong. It also depends on the amp topology. A single ended el84 amp begins to distort at 5ish watts with max power 9-10 watts per channel. Push pull begins to distort around 6-9 watts and tops out around 12-15 wpc. Some of the old Scott’s that use the 7189 can be pushed a little further to achieve high teens realistically. I believe the EAR, quicksilver, Manley and some others use 8 rather than four el84’s so those numbers can double up.

Once again though, if you would share your speakers with us we might be able to provide better advice. 4ohm? All bets are off. Crossovers with 50 year old caps? Ditto.

I Have the Cabin CS-55A commented by @henry53  I bought it for $2220 from a New jersey distributor. I spent about $800 on good tubes. It is a great amp, dead quiet, plenty of power with my Monitor Audio Silver 500 speakers and REL T/5X sub.

Hi dhcod...

6moons audio reviews: Music Reference RM-10 MkII

If you can find one of these at a fair price, you won't be disappointed.  The "sweetness" of the 300B midrange may give way to overall honesty of the EL84's sound.  I have taken mine to a much more refined level by a full Marigo Tuning Dot application and upgrading to a full complement of "Tom Evan's recommended," Harma Watford Valves.  Not being a "just for fun" tube roller, I went through 3 sets (Mullard, JJ &Sovtek) before finding my flavor.  The RM-10 features point to point wiring (no board) for reliability & longevity.  A great set of tubes can easily be had for under $200.

Another possibility...if you just love what your monitors give you, as I do, you might try rolling off the deep bass to them, say at 80Hz to a sub or pair of subs, keeping the 300B amp.  In my room, removing the deep bass from my Revolution Be monitors allow them to fully blossom and achieve above 90db decibels, without strain. 

More Peace in 2023     Pin

Dying to find an RM10 but they are very scarce right now. For the time being, I'm starting to play with a Scott 222C, also an EL84 amp @20WPC, just to confirm that more power is what I'm looking for. Seems to be so far.

Take a look at Audio Hungary a20i. Pure class A, compact and beautifully built. I had  it’s big brother the a50i. Ron at New Record Day reviewed it about a year ago