Tube amp for a somewhat difficult load

I drive my Kef Ref 4's (91 DB but 4 ohms)with Aranov 9100 monoblocks(110W a side via KT88s). I also have a Classe 301 (300W) that I've A/B against the Classe, and the SS does have a "firmer" bottom end, but not by much, and nothing that a good SS powered sub didn't cure (Rel Stadium). I also tried bimamping with the Classe on the bottom, but I just can't justify a $5K amp doing only woofer duty -- and the increase in improvement was incremental at best. Thus, I've settled on the Aranovs with the sub helping out -- it's not so much the low end, but rather the sub takes some of the worload off the tubes.

The nice part about the Aranovs is that they can be had for under $3K used. And I also found that biwired hi end speakers cables hepled a lot (HT Magic Woofer/Tweeter) --Lorne

Try the Conrad Johnson PREMIER mono-blocks.they should do the trick.Also the MV-100 should suffice too.Nice sound.

Also take a look at the VAC PA100/100..big transformers/ power supply and 2ohm taps. VAC proofs these on some large Thiels, so they have plenty of muscle. More user friendly than ARCs and with NOS tubes sound like an amp costing twice the price.

Atma-sphere MA2 MKII.2 should be perfect. Duke can help you out at AudioKineses - He is the man!

the Sonic Frontiers Power 2 110w stereo or Power 3 220w mono amps for a couple reasons.

If you read the review technical/measurement section in Stereophile (where they earned class A recommendation), you will see John Atkinson say it was one of the few tube power amps he could use to evaluate different loudspeakers.

The reason is low output impedence, which equates to a high damping factor, and flat frequency response even with reactive loads.

They are built like tanks, user friendly, dependable, sound amazing, and are at super prices right now so you can get a new one that has a factory warranty and new tubes for the price of a used lesser amp that may be used, no warranty, and wasted tubes.

No matter what...with electrostats, ribbons, or just speakers that are a pain in the ass, they cruise right through.