2. amps-preamps
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Cool running, low powered power amp

My regular amp is a Class A, all tube (KT 88’s) affair that runs very warm. For most of the year, it doesn’t matter. But in the dog days of summer, it can become unpleasant in my smallish listening room, where the AC doesn’t reach as well.

My speakers are Volti Razz, which are something like 97 db efficient. My big tube amp is out in California getting repaired, and at the moment, the Volti are enjoying time spent with a Scott 299A. Those 17 wpc are plenty (and sound way better than a 65 year-old amp with original tubes (or at least, tubes marked "H.H. Scott") should. Volti says it only needs to be 8 watts to do the job.

I was thinking of First Watt, or maybe Pass Labs XA 25. But both of those are also Class A. But maybe all Class A are not alike in terms of generating heat. I am not anti-class D, and have had two Class D amps that sounded good, but I’d be more interested in A/B, or cooler running Class A. I'd like to bring it in under $3000, and I am a big fan of used equipment.

Thanks,

David

 

dtorc
elliottbnewcombjr
5,362 posts
 

I wanted tubes in my small office, went for a Little Luxman

luxman SQ-N150, 10wpc, delivers more than that, excellent features

$1,950 US Audio Mart

here it is, far left

I use it with my restored AR-2ax (sensitivity 90db). Enough volume for my office, but not for a larger space, however with your efficient speakers, it would be a winner. It has an excellent sounding Phono (either MM or MC), and 3 line in.

One feature I like is the push down power button can stay on, so it turns on/off via my Chase RLC-1 which has remote power, very helpful in my setup,

It has balance, a feature I definitely want in any system.

botrytis
178 posts
 

I find the Benchmark amp everything that has been said about it, in this thread. A third recommendation.

vthokie83
853 posts
 

Class D would work well, but I have no experience or recommendations for you.

I can highly recommend the new CODA S5.5, but that is going to be over $6,000, amazing solid state Class A amp that runs only slightly warmish (I can easily hold my hand on the cooling fins even at full tilt).

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
372 posts
 

The wait time on the Coda S5.5 is now up to 4-5 months. I ordered mine March 15 and it's not shipped yet. 

dtorc OP
35 posts
 

Okay - after all of your good thoughts provoked an examination of my priorities with this summer substitute of an amp, I decided to order the Decware Triode amplifier - all 2.3 watts of it. I decided that since I have speakers that can actually make very good use of that kind of amplifier, and I've never owned anything like it, I may as well lean into the whole thing. These are my first and only set of horn speakers, and to not explore the low-power SET experience seems like a waste. I ordered it today, and do not yet know when it will arrive. 

Thanks again for all of your opinions - I valued them all, including exploring ways to goose my AC in this room.

 

David

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