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Energy, Environment & High End Audio

How to get a great sounding amp without using a ton of energy? It seems I keep running into high energy guzzling amps when I pursue the sound I want. I'm currently running ProAc 2.5's with a Pass Aleph 3. Sounds pretty good, but actually a little bit forward (perhaps the speakers need more breaking in). Anyhow, I'm wanting to go for a slightly less harsh, more fluid sound, and am thinking of getting a tube amp to go with my Rogue 66 preamp. I'm thinking BAT, AR, Cary - around the $2K used level. My problem is that some of these amps run on near 1 kW - about the same a an electric hair dryer or space heater. I'm having problems justifying the power use, except in the winter when we need to heat the house (I live in Arizona). Questions:

1) Can anyone recommend good tube amps with the setup I describe above?

2) Overall, how do you deal with the power use question? Is there a point at which it becomes irresponsible to use so much juice for this passion?

Thanks. Peter S
peter_s
kenl
131 posts
 
Here's a thread that you might find interesting concerning the Berning ZH-270 tube amp. 70 powerful watts per side and uses 100w at idle, 300 at full power. Extremely versatile, reliable and great sounding. Unfortunately they're hard to find, and will cost in the high 2k used. Worth considering though. I'm using mine with Aerial 7B speakers, which are 6 ohm/86db. The Berning drives them with ease.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1018837399&read&keyw&zzberning
ianrmack
227 posts
 
I second the Berning ZH-270.
My Proac 2.5s just sing with it.
It has the best of all worlds: bass response of SS, liqidity of tubes, low power, light weight - 10 lbs!!
Tough to find.....
gregm
3,411 posts
 
At your price range, I "third" the 70W Berning. At higher prices, you could consider KR Antares (tube) and Symphonic Line RG7 (ss) for lots of energy!
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Why dont you try a class-D switching amplifier, like those from Linn or Spectron? Thye burn very little power unless the signal is large.
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