Amplifier for Klipsch Cornwalls


I will be bying some Klipsch Cornwalls soon and will need an amplifier to drive them. Hoping to find something under $500. I have a Thor tube pre-amp and a Forte solid state pre-amp.
These will be in a second system primarily for home theater. But I will use them for music as well. I do like it loud sometimes.
holzhauer
What are some of the favorites you guys are using either integrated or separates? 

I’ve tried a few SS amps, but now using Prima Luna EVO 200 integrated amp on my Cornwall IVs and it sounds amazing!  The first thing however is you NEED to use the 4 ohm taps.  The EL34’s on the 8 ohm taps are a disaster.  The 4 ohm tap is where it’s AT!

Second thing is try bigger tubes.  I’m using 6550 EH’s and they sound perfect to me.  I also have KT120’s.  They sound more controlled in the lows and more dynamic, BUT, they also sound too bright.  To be fair, I’ve only got about 24 hours run time on the 120’s so maybe they’ll still smooth out.  But for now I’m really loving the 6550’s.  I do want to try KT88’s at some point.  

Also... big tweak for the Cornwalls was to put them up on 4x4s.  Raising them up  3.5" really opened up the lows, and improved the imaging. A game changer for me.

@mirolab 

As much discussion as there has been by reviewers and end-users regarding the Cornwall, you are the first I have seen who mentions raising them. I think it is not only desirable but necessary. The main horn should be at ear level when seated. I just bought a pre-owned set of highly modified Cornscalas, and I'm having a custom set of 8 inch tall walnut stands made for them.

It's my past experience with a set of Klipsch Epic CF4'S that having the midrange horn at ear level is critical. I have no idea why professional reviewers don't even mention this. I am also adding brass cones to each leg from Livevibe which even without the stand would make a big improvement.

Speaker placement and orientation (relative to the listening position/room boundaries) are the most significant aspects in designing and building a system, in my over 60 years at this (I am 71, started very early). I am a Klipsch Heritage fan. I use ss, biased in A, to drive my Lascalas. How I like it. My best, MrD.

@mrdecibel 

Having said that, do you have any experience with Cornwalls, and if so, do you think that they should be raised off the floor more than they are with the supplied risers?