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Living With A Class A Tube Amp

I'm ready to replace my venerable Prima Luna Dialogue One amp.  Just as I thought I had my choices sufficiently narrowed down, I came across Roger's EHF-100 integrated amp.  It has the features I'm looking for without any frills, and has sufficient wattage to power my Sonus Faber Sonetto VIII speakers   Checked out their web site and had an informative email conversation with Roger, who confirmed that this would be a good amp for my speaker. s and room.  He provided me with some useful information, but I need some info from Class A tube amp owners generally.

From what I gather Class A amps produce max power at all times, therefore run hotter than a typical amp.  How does this affect amp placement?  My current amp is on a heavy wooden table and in front of a curtained window.  Would the table need to be replaced?  Do I need Nomex curtains?   How does this heat affect tube life?  Any other internal components subject to accelerated aging due to the heat?  Any other thoughts from Class A amp owners would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John Cotner

New Ulm, MN 

jrcotner
audioaholic1
8 posts
 

I second having Brandon build you a pair of SET amps.

The tubes will last a long long time. 
I’m powering my 92 db speakers 4 ohm with  833 monoblocks at  33watts per channel and they have more thanks enough power. 
 

amitb
8 posts
 

A 200 Watt amp will use 0.2 kilo-watt-hour in 1-hour. So, 5-hrs/day x 7-days/week gives you 7 kWh. At current Minneapolis rates that's about 17.7 cents x 7 = $1.239 cost per week, or $5.31/month. No biggies.

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,034 posts
 

I have one of his AMPs (KT-88) driving Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution Loudspeakers. Like you I had a PL (HP) amp. The Rogers is a terrific upgrade. (Pls see my system page). You not only will get a great AMP but if needed Roger is there. Rarely is the volume past 9 oclock on the dial. I’m N Cal if you are here too. 

Heat rises so as long as what’s above AMP is clear yr. good. A heavy table should be Aok

My tube set is 4-5 years old.  The few other Rogers owners I have had contact with are all happy campers. Dig daddyoh?

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,034 posts
 

PS There’s an 88 on ebay. EBay takes 13% that a phone call will save you that and maybe more. 

Here’s one on Agone

 

rooze's avatar
rooze
638 posts
 

@jrcotner 

  1. Class A tube amps have desirable sonic qualities, but other current tube or solid state amps can produce equally good sound quality without the drawbacks listed above.

That came from @atmasphere and while I agree with the majority of his posts, and learn a lot from him, the point above is too subjective. I've heard him comparing the latest Class D amps to tubes and using the 'equally good sound quality' comment. I've yet to have that experience. (But I also haven't heard Atmasphere's own Class D amps.)

There's a couple ways that good tubes present themselves that I haven't heard from solid state/Class D. 

 

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