Integrated amplifier for Fritz Speakers

Had a conversation with Fritz about amps for the Carbons. He mentioned Belles and Van Alstine.

When I explained that I was using a passive preamp, he thought the 120 SET Control amp might not be my cup of tea. I really do not have the space for an active preamp, so I think that eliminates Van Alstine for this setup.

He also suggested Canary and felt they had a lot of good gear. 

I mentioned Glow Audio and he had not heard their amps. My impression was that he was subtlety suggesting 50 to 100 wpc would be better than a low power amp...I do not want to misrepresent the conversation, but my inference was that more tube watts was better....he certainly was not trying to talk me into anything.

good. ed iubtling

I am surprised he said that about the 120 SET amp. It is a 60wpc amplifier with a passive attenuator. It seems to me based on your OP that it would be a good candidate for your needs. 

@mesch I am surprised he said that about the 120 SET amp

His remark was in the context of me currently using an Axiom II passive with the speakers, which Fritz felt was a pretty good passive. He was thinking the passive in the 120 SET would get me where I wanted to go...which is to eliminate the "sterile" sound of the current setup. 

I suppose that the SET 120 would be a definite step up from the Niles amp I am currently using with the Axiom.

My problem is that I do not understand the sound signature of the SET 120. Is it forward or laid-back, warm or cool, detailed or not, dynamic of not, etc.

I am looking for a bit warm and liquid.

@dsper 

The SET 120 amp and Control Amp along with the SET 400 would fall into the warm and liquid with good bass category.  I have a friend that used the Control amp with Carrera's for several years and then used it as an amp only with a Supratek preamp.  I used the SET 400 for several years with Carrera's.  As the SET 120 Control amp is nothing but the amp module and a passive preamp in one box if you wanted to keep using your Axiom no reason the SET 120 amp shouldn't work plus you have a 30 day money back to work with.  

@dsper have you decided on the Carerra or Carbon ?

I ask because I've used some of the same Scanspeak drivers in a few speakers I built, and upgraded, similar to the Fritz Carbon 7 SE MK 2. Warm, full body, nice.

https://www.fritzspeakers.com/DreamWeaverFritzCarbon7Mk2SpecPage.asp

The AVA SET 120 control amp and this speaker could be a nice combination for you.  I've studied Frank's amps quite a bit, his design, mosfets he uses, and this particular amplifier . You might ask Fritz about this again too, I think he recommended a similar combo. Return policy options on both make it low risk and possibly fun to try fwtw.  I like this idea. Might be a nice little system, best of luck.