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Esoteric A-100 vs a03

Friends,
I am currently using a Wavac 300B amplifier with my Tannoy turnberry SE speakers. While I am enjoying the luxurious Wavac ride but there are always times that I feel the 10 watts Wavac is not enough. Especially while listening to Rock and pop music when I would like to crank it up and have fun, the music doesnt sound very comfortable. I know I should not be doing this with a 300B tube amp but then I listen to all kinds of music and I dont own a 100db sensitive speaker.

The choice is now either to go with a powerful push-pull which has the overall purity of an SET or a more drastic step towards a good solid state amplifier. I have heard the Esoteric a03 and liked it a lot driving a pair of Maggies. But I have never heard the A-100. Esoteric says that A-100 sounds as pure and neutral as master tapes, thats a serious claim, but then they are manufacturers. Can anyone here give me an idea of which of these amps would be a better buy for sonic purity, neutrality and dynamics ?
pani
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
For your specific needs you may be better off with a higher power amplifier
for your speakers ( or find an easier Speake to drive). There are certainly SS

or push pull amplifiers you may discover and love but they won't mimic a
good SET amplifier's strengths. It just depends on what you really want.
Your Wavac 300b is superb with an appropriate speaker match.All
amplifier topologies will have inherent strengths and inevitable limitations.
Amp-speaker pairing is definitely a marriage. I've heard the Esoteric A 100
and it didn't remind me of a SET at all, but it could be more suitable for what
you desire (thus the better choice). I suspect that the Tannoy line of
speakers varies and some models are easier loads to drive than others.
Good luck,
Charles,
pani OP
1,218 posts
 
Charles, can you please elaborate a little more on the sound signature of the A-100 ?
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Pani,
I attended a dealer demostration several years ago. The system was
Esoteric digital, their C-03 line stage and A 100 amplifier driving Wilson
Sashas. A variety of music was played and I listened for a good while. My
point is someone may or may not like the sound produced. It didn't sound
at all like what I'm accustomed to hearing with high quality SET set ups. It
was IMO drier, less fluid, less organic and mechanical sounding relatively
speaking. It lacked the life, emotion and vibrant presence of the SETs I've
experienced. However the Esoteric amp is more powerful and allow greater
flexibility in speaker choice. SETs really require the right matching
speakers.
That's just me however and only reflects my taste, for what you want it
could be potentially ideal and preferable to your Wavac.
pani OP
1,218 posts
 
Hi Charles,
Your observations are very informative. Just to get some more idea, which Push-pull amps have you generally liked ? Please list some models please. Basically I am coming from a mixed background of solid state and pure SET amplification. I have not touched push-pull yet. I can easily relate to your SET reference. Have you heard any push pull amps which give you a similar sense of enjoyment as good SETs ?
pani OP
1,218 posts
 
How big is your listening room and how loud (in dBs) are you trying to comfortably achieve?

Onhwy61, my room size is pretty small, about 170 sqft with a usual 10ft ceiling height.
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