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Tube Amp Recommendation

I am saying goodbye to my Linn active system (at least temporarily) to give tubes a try. I have purchased a set for North Creek Catamount speakers, said to be designed for tube amplification. But, of course, I need a good tube amplifier. Looking to purchase something used in the under $3000 range. While I'm looking for the tube experience, I don't want anything too colored and it must still have good, crisp low-end performance. My present consdierations are a Audio Research VT 100 mkII or BAT vk60. Any thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated. Amplifier will probably be fed directly a Wadia player. My thanks in advance.
lavoy
eagleman6722
217 posts
 
TAD-60. Read the reviews.
mikesinger
572 posts
 
arc vt100ii...great amp.. very powerful and explosive presentation... really like it a lot...
bkonig
127 posts
 
I am a big fan of VAC and Manley. Great sounding stuff from 2 excellent companies. Take a look at the Manley Snappers and VAC Auricle.
rpf
76 posts
 
Quicksilver, CJ, Rogue are all good. I find the first two more refined than the latter. CJ probably has the best midrange.
dfhaleycko
178 posts
 
The Catamounts are a super speaker, but they really don't need a whole lot of watts unless your room is huge. I'd look for the best damn 50-75w amp you can get, rather than go for the big watt stuff like the ARC VT100 you mention.

You could use some of the high-power SET amps that would sound heavenly (if you like that heavy cream texture), such as some of the Canary push-pull 300B amps or the Dehavilland 845 amps. These would be among my first choices if I could afford them.

Another nice sound would be with the latest version of the McIntosh 275 amps.

Another completely different approach would be the OTL route. You'll be impressed with the Atma-sphere MA-60's if you can audition them. Or you might look for the Berning Z270 as a fast, clean and dynamic alternative.

Lots of choices, depending on your taste and budget. But all these would work.

I'm currently using a couple different North Creek speaker systems, and you'll find they take a LOOOONG time to break in. My Eska's in the bedroom took a good month before they opened up (Scanspeak Revelator Tweeters). I'm running them with a Transcendent Sounds T8 OTL amp.

Did you get ribbon tweeters in your catamounts, or the Revelators, or one of George's silk dome tweeters? Great speakers, and practically unknown here.

Hope this helps!
Doug
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