2. amps-preamps
  3. 185204-165082

I'm thinking about a low watt tube amplifier?

I was looking at a small Class A Tube Amp, Finale Audio's F6 Hommage tube amplifier. It runs at 4 watts per channel, which dosn't seem like much but was curious after talking with a friend how amazingly happy he was with the sound of small, low wattage tube amps. My only concern are my Wilson Benesch speakers, which are only 97 db sensitive. I do have a pair or REL's to handle the low end.  I am currently trying out a 20 watt triode Cayin Amp. (CS-55) which has proven to be more than capable of driving my speakers at low to medium volume with alot of room left. I also have a Luxman Mq-3600 triode tube amp which runs at 30 watts, no problem driving the speakers to extreme volume levels. I was thinking of talking with the stereo shop and seeing what his thoughts were, and if he is open to letting me try it out at home? My listening is low-medium volume, condo-living so big volume is restricted to headphones only, classic rock, folk, jazz-but these days the volume is low, even with the headphones, to keep my hearing in tact. I am sensitive to sharp highs and avoid these at all costs.

Anyone have any experience with these tube amps and what are your thoughts, generally, would it be worth the bother.

I don't have any plans on new speakers, but you never know! I have owned horn speakers, and I am not a fan, hearing sensitivity. I am also limited for space so small floor standing speakers or bookshelf considered (down the road).

What small watt tube amp would you recommend? The Pass Labs small amp sounds very good but out of my budget. Budget is $3,000.00 Max. What speakers are you using with your low watt tube amp.?, and what speaker sensitivity are they?

128x128pooch2
grinnell
1,094 posts
 

I run my Reference 3A de Capos (92 db eff.) with a 4 watt Decware Mini Torii.  Good sound, detailed rich and loud enough in a 12x20 room with the speakers 15ft away

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

oops.  87 is a different story.  You'll not be happy with an SET and IMHO the push pull design loses much of the "tube magic".

Jerry

knotscott
918 posts
 

You'll not be happy with an SET and IMHO the push pull design loses much of the "tube magic".

Jerry

They're not cheap, but have you ever heard a CAT JL amp (push-pull)?  

dynamiclinearity
258 posts
 

Just a thought. A big part of tube sound is their low damping factor. You need way more power than you're using even at reasonable levels if you play music with wide dynamic range. It's only for micro seconds but pianos can give 30 dB peaks and that can upset amps even after the peak is gone. As a guess look into PASS amps. They have low damping factor like tube amps and they make class A like amps that are more powerful than their rating to handle large peaks. The class A amps are class A at their rated power but usually double and go into class B for peaks. But almost all the time you will remain in their class A rating and Pass amps have good power supplies and recover basically instantly from high peaks.

mrskeptic
262 posts
 

Don't do it! Maybe you haven't been reading the threads, but the consensus among the know-it-alls is more watts sound better. 

 

(I kid, but too many people believe such ignorance).

More to discover