2. amps-preamps
  3. 1221604868

Powerful Tube Amp for SF Strads?

I am looking for recommendations for a powerful tube amp for my Strads. A powerful tube amp which truly excels at palpability, musicality but also has very good bass control (though bass control is not as 'mission critical' to me as palpability).

My current amp (see below) sounds great to my ears!...but runs out of steam much too soon.

My system today:

Zanden 5000S DAC
CJ Act 2
CJ MV60 (EL 34 tube)
SF Strads (4ohms, 92db sensitivity though impedence does dip to 2.5ohms)
Velodyne DD-18 (run in parallel)
Transparent Ref/Ref XL cabling throughout
Purist Audio Dominus PC

In addition to recommendations, any thoughts are welcome on Wavac, Audio Note, Zanden, VTL, CJ LP275...or monoblocking MV60 (EL34)? Thanks!

Lloydelee21
lloydelee21
lloydelee21 OP
1,202 posts
 
Hi jskg,

thanks...i am a big CJ and SF fan, as apparently you are as well. As i have the ACT 2 preamp and CJ mv60 amp at the moment, i am very seriously considering either of the 2 amps...am leaning towards pushing the boat out, as you say, and getting the 275 monos.

Have you compared the 275 to the 140? would love to hear your impressions about what the 275 gives you. thanks!
tuboo
93 posts
 
Have owned and listened to different Stradivari set up at friends.
have listened with many poweramps and one of the best matches turned out to be the accuphase P7100.
have listened to Wavac 833 1.3 too, Lamm M1.2ref and some others.
the Stradivari needs the best, and it needs a dominant amp.
with Lamm M1.2ref it was nice as for sound, but this did not bring out what a Strad is capable of.
the big Zanden mono's are superb match soundwise, but if you really want fireworks: TENOR hybrid or Accuphase.
microstrip
180 posts
 
I have owned the Stardivarius for sometime and I could not find a tube amplifier that mated well with them. Although they sounded nice with tubes, after you hear the scale and dynamics of these speakers with a good power amplifier such as a Krell FPB700 or a cj Premier 350 you find you regret what you are missing with tubes.
Since you have an ACT2 I would suggest a Premier 350 - they can be found at nice prices at audiogon. Also consider factory upgrading your ACT2 to series 2 - it is expensive, but worthwhile. The new preamp is more musical and is even more spatial than the previous one and will match perfectly with the Stradivarius.
lloydelee21 OP
1,202 posts
 
Hi Microstrip

Thanks for your advice. I will upgrade to Act 2.2 at some point. I have recommended to audition the Gryphon Antileon Signature.

Though SS, it is 150wpc pure Class A, and apparently "ends the discussion" about tube v solid state. I am starting to consider select SS models now having spoken with many people about certain SS makes.
kdi40
14 posts
 
Lloydelee...I have two Cary V12 tube mono's I'll let go for $4500 if interested...David
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