Coherent 18 + Aric Audio Super 6SN7 Linestage + Super 2A3 SET = pretty sure this is going to expedite your journey to Nirvana. I was waiting for some Coherent’s to pop up on the used market, but it seems like owners rarely let go of them which seems like a testament to how they sound. I’ve been eyeing that Super 6SN7, too. Regardless, stellar selections, sir.
Amplifier Pairing with Coherent 15s
Hello all,
About to finalize an order for a pair of Coherent 15s (yay!) and now I'm starting to look at possibilities for amplification for them. Since they are very efficient (I believe 106db efficiency), they can work well with flea amps+, so there's a wide range of possibilities.
I have a few criteria though: I would prefer an integrated amplifier vs separates/mono blocks, both for cost and space reasons, so something like AirTight is out (plus, a bit too expensive anyway). Looking around the $10k range at the higher end.
I don't listen to things super loud, and tend to prefer tube amplification. Music tends to lean majority Jazz, with some other things throw in here and there, but Jazz is the most important genre to get right.
Frank (from Coherent) recommended a couple -
Tektron Two 2A3/50S-i
Mastersound Compact 300B
Some others I've looked into:
Tektron Two 211-i
LTA ZOTL Ultralinear Integrated
I do have a few concerns with hand-crafted, more 'custom' made amps, especially by manufacturers overseas (I'm in the US) - mainly inability to demo them and ease of service/warranty. They also tend to be more difficult to sell in the case of deciding to go a different route, though this is of a lesser concern.
Anyone have any experience with any of these, have any other suggestions to explore, or any other comments?
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- 51 posts total
@toro3 I certainly hope so! Definitely will be a big step up from what I am using now, but it was just temporary anyway. :) I also was checking on Coherents on the used market - but only saw stuff pop up very rarely - mainly 12s from what I saw - and mostly due to people stepping up the line. A great sign! I've been dealing with Frank directly and he's been a joy to work with. |
@bjesien Not quite. I ended up asking for them to be held until early January to ship as it was getting into a time crunch before I was out of town for the holidays. I was supposed to receive them last week (they've been in the shipping process for a bit now), but the winter weather that swept across the US last week delayed it for some days. They're currently in a warehouse about 30 minutes from me waiting on last mile delivery appointment - should get that call on Monday. A bit down to the wire - I go out of town on business for three weeks this upcoming Wednesday - though no fault of Frank. The weather threw a wrench in delivery. I'll likely get them and get them set up the night before I leave for some weeks, so it will likely be after I get back before I can really enjoy them. The good news is, I received my amplifier and pre-amplifier from Aric earlier last week and have them set up. So, the speakers are the final piece to the puzzle now. The anticipation is killing me!! |
@bjesien Just wanted to chime back in here since you asked - I have some notes on my thoughts on the speakers on my system page. Just a very quick summary though: I love the speakers, and the combo with the Aric 2a3 and linestage is wonderful. |
- 51 posts total