2. amps-preamps
  3. 1143733243

solidstate system to single ended...should I?

I have no experience with low powered high end tube amps. Right now I am using a Karan Ka-i180 integrated amp and Merlin VSM-M speakers. The system sounds great, but I have the bug to try something completely differant. My system before the Karan was a Melos MAT-180 amp and Melos Maestro preamp. I like the Karan better. I tried, in the past, Conrad Johnson PV-10 preamp and GAS Ampzilla and enjoyed that warm sound. I realize that my speakers do not have the efficiency for low powered amps so they will need to be changed too.

My question is can anyone that went the same route (from solidstate to low powered amps) make some recomendations? I am considering the Dared preamp and maybe their amps and for speakers, I have no idea. My price is based on what I can get for my speakers and amp. I assume about $2500.00 for the speakers and $2000.00 for the amp/preamp.

I listen only to CD through an Eastsound CD-E5 player.
stereo
clio09
3,360 posts
 
While I don't have any experience going from solid state to SET, I can tell you I looked very closely at getting into SET and came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth trading out my speakers (Spendor 1/2e) so I went in a different direction (the speakers I was considering were the Zu Druid at $1800 and an Audio Note Kit at $1900).

Since you appear to understand and accept trading out your speakers I will make a recommendation to you for reserach purposes. In consideration of the fact that you are looking at Dared equipment, you should go to the Decware site and look at what they are offering. Both in terms of speakers, amps, and preamps. Now given that you only listen to CD I will also throw this out there which could save you some money and allow you to throw more dollars at the amp and speakers. You could get a set of attenuators like those made by Endler ($160 new) and EVS (~$200 or so used). These hook up to the inputs on your amp and provide stepped attenuation like any other volume control and it is geared for single source. If you need remote, you could try the Welborne or Space Tech Lab units instead (both these vendors also offer nice SET amps and tube preamps) which will only require the additional cables to implement.
cmo
471 posts
 
I would look into ART Audio for the amp.... They may be a bit out of your price range (I think a used Carrisa usually sells for around 3k) but if you can stretch it a bit they are very good amps. There is a Wyetech Onyx' on Audiogone right now for about 3k and these are really nice amps too.

For the speakers...... Can you give us more info on what you like music/presentation wise? You might check out some of the 3a De Capo's, or some of the horns Audiogone user johnk sells.

My $.02

Chris
stereo OP
147 posts
 
I assume my Merlin VSM-m's sound better then the 3a De Capo's and horns probably would be the way to go for me, but not sure. If I get an amp that is 18 wpc, I think a 93db or better speaker is necessary. I like 70's rock, but not the hard stuff. I am more into older Genesis when Gabrial was the singer, Yes, Gentle Giant, America, etc. The speakers would need to go into the mid 30's or better. Amp Kits are fine too or low powered single ended integrateds. I would prefer a remote for volume.
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